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Living Well In Tough Times :: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 11/22/20 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Do you feel like we are living in unprecedented times? You are not alone.

In this last podcast on The Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Steve will guide you through how Kingdom people can live well in tough times.

You can come in from the storm by entering into a relationship with God. You can live as a citizen of the Kingdom by building your life on Jesus’ words, and experience peace because you are His.

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The Hidden Goodness of God :: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 11/15/20 by Pastor Steve Shields.

The fallen world masks God’s goodness. The mask is made up of injustice, futility and life’s hardships.

Jesus unveils the face of God!

What do we see behind the mask? The Father who provides graciously. The Father who provides without discrimination. The Father who provides goodness.

In the kingdom we reveal the face of God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us The Golden Rule to follow. When we live by The Golden Rule, we pull down the veil. We show the face of God to the world.

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Can Judgement Be Compassionate? :: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 11/08/20 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Since there are different kinds of judgement, is it possible for judgement to be compassionate?

Jesus warns us about condemning judgement and judgement that is lacking self- awareness.

However, Jesus values redemptive (compassionate) judgement. Compassionate judgement is restorative not condemning. Compassionate judgment is self-aware not blind. Compassionate judgement is genuine not hypocritical.

There are dangers of judgement in general. When you judge, you reveal your own culpability, you potentially reduce your faith to rules, and you risk destroying relationships.

In this podcast, Pastor Steve outlines the value in redemptive judgment as it helps others as well as you. It keeps you aware of your responsibilities, your imperfections, and your own need for redemption.

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Not To Worry :: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 11/01/20 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Do not worry. These are the words Jesus gives us in the Sermon on the Mount.

Why would He say “Do not worry”? The things we worry about can be pretty small in the proper perspective. God has your back. Generally, worry is fruitless.

In this podcast, Pastor Steve outlines where worry comes from and how having a Kingdom perspective can free us from worry.

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Treasure Hunting :: SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 10/25/20 by Pastor Steve Shields.

There is a difference in earthly treasure and kingdom treasure. Earthly treasure is fleeting and can be destroyed.

Kingdom treasure cannot be lost, gives a genuine sense of fulfillment, and cannot be exhausted.

In this podcast, Pastor Steve outlines the differences between earthly treasure and kingdom treasure. He shows how it is the King alone that gives lasting honor. The King alone is Light and is Worthy.

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Forgiveness :: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 10/18/20 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Forgiveness plays a vital role in the Kingdom. Forgiveness is as vital as the air we breathe. Forgiveness releases our hearts from bondage. Forgiveness also lets us display the King.

In this podcast, Pastor Steve will lead us through how forgiveness works in the Kingdom.

Kingdom people accept the reality that people are broken and hurting people hurt people. Kingdom people feel their feelings, and do not let injury define them. Kingdom people do not harm. Kingdom people give their grievances to God.

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The Lord’s Prayer :: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 10/11/20 by Pastor Steve Shields.

The Lord’s Prayer. Have you ever stopped to think about the words as you recite The Lord’s Prayer?

Jesus gives us His guide with this prayer to show how Kingdom people pray.

Kingdom people pray not to give God new information or to impress Him.

Instead, Kingdom people pray with a balance of familiarity and reverence. Kingdom prayers show our desire for God’s will and admit our neediness. Kingdom prayers also address forgiveness and express our desire to be better.

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Right Motives :: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 10/04/20 by Pastor Steve Shields.

How can a doing a good thing be a problem?

When our motives are not in the right place, the good we do can be hypocritical, can take the glory that belongs to God, and it can deny God the opportunity to reward us.

In this podcast, Pastor Steve will lead us through Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:1-6. When we go through these verses, we see there are three areas where kingdom people need to be on our guard. Prayer done in public, talking about our spiritual life and showing off our sacrifices.

Does that mean we don’t do good things? No, but kingdom people do good carefully. We should examine our heart before God, and spend time alone with God. When we do these things the good we do brings glory to God!

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Love Your Enemies and Beyond

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 9/27/20 by Rev. Bernie Knefley.

In Matthew 5:43-45, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. How do you even start?

In this podcast, Rev. Bernie Knefley discusses how it begins with asking the question “What’s good for….” my marriage, my family, my community, my country? This question helps us love those around us and beyond.

Think about it. Ask the question.

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Love Your Enemies :: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 9/20/20 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Love your enemies.

What? It is hard to love your enemies, but there is merit in doing what is hard.

In this podcast, Pastor Steve continues through the Sermon on the Mount with the words from Jesus to love your enemies.

How do you love your enemies? With agape love which is love regardless of the condition of the loved one. This type of love is a matter of choice.

This is hard! In some cases, the only way to love your enemy is to go to the cross. Bowing at the foot of the cross means surrender. And in that surrender you will be able to love.

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