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Christ Followers with Intentionality :: COLOSSIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/18/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Colossians 4:2-18 tells us to be intentional in our living for Christ. Are you intentional in your prayers? An intentional prayer is watchful regarding the kingdom. An intentional prayer is bigger than ourselves, and is focused on kingdom things, and the advancement of the gospel.

Are you intentional in your relationships? Intentional relationships show people God’s nature. Intentional relationships demonstrate wisdom. Intentional relationships act with grace.

Are you living with intentionality in the kingdom? Intentionality is simply doing kingdom work intentionally. Intentionality is simply prioritizing the advancement of the kingdom of God.

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Something Wrong? Maybe the Problem Centers on Thankfulness :: COLOSSIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/11/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

As we look in Colossians 3, we see three desirable instructions. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Let the message of Christ dwell among you. Let the supremacy of Christ oversee your life.

The key ingredient for these three instructions is thankfulness.

The peace of Christ rules in thankful hearts. The message of Christ dwells in thankful fellowships. The supremacy of Christ reigns in our lives when we give thanks.

How do you have thankfulness? You need to cultivate thankfulness in all of your life. Thankfulness enriches your worship experience. Thankfulness brings grace to your home life. Thankfulness influences every imaginable interaction.

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Clearing Rocks From The Field :: COLOSSIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/4/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Just as rocks litter the farmer’s field, rocks litter the fields of our lives. The rocks in our lives need to be removed and put to death. They provoke God to anger. They are not just boulders, but also include ordinary struggles. Everyone has them, but they need to go.

How do you get rid of the rocks from your life? Take off the old self. Being a Christian means seeing you’re on the wrong path and turning to the right. That’s repentance — turning your heart to trust Christ.

After you take off the old self, you need to put on the new self. Identifying as a Christian isn’t a matter of wearing a special shirt or cap. Rather, it is a matter of clearing the stones from your field.

A field fit for the kingdom is a field that knows who it belongs to. Chosen by God, extraordinary and extra-loved.

A field fit for the kingdom is a field that relates well with others. A field filled with compassion and kindness as well as humility. A field containing gentleness and patience, forgiveness and love.

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Memorials

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 5/28/23 by Reverend Bernie Knefley.

Listen as Reverend Knefley speaks on memorials.

A memorial is something that keeps an event or a persons memory alive.

We have personal memorials to commemorate events in our personal lives. It could be a trophy buck hanging on the wall, or a hole in one golf ball sitting on the mantle. Family pictures even serve as memorials.

If you are not sure what your memorials are look at your mantle or what is hanging on your wall.

The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:21 that “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

If you forget where you came from, you are doomed to repeat it.

We see memorials throughout the Bible. The Last Supper is a memorial that continues through today.

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Obsession :: COLOSSIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 5/21/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

What is the nature of obsession?

Sometimes it is like an addictive drug, and is intoxicating. It is obsession when we can’t let it go.

Sometimes obsession is helpful, but not often.

Sometimes the problem with obsession is not the object, but the obsessor.

Trusting Christ frees you from obsession. The basis of your freedom is the transformation that came with Christ. The outcome of this transformation is effective change.

Live your new identity in Christ. It is safe to do this because your transformation is secured by Christ. A glorious transition is coming. You are capable of doing this.

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Accept No Substitutes :: COLOSSIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 5/14/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Jesus is the real thing. He is God. He is able to transform you! He destroyed your condemnation. He is irreplaceable. There is NO substitute!

How can you experience what Christ has for you?

Trust Him as God. Trust in His power and love. Ask Him to transform you. Live with confidence in His grace. Cherish Him with all your heart.

Accept no substitute!

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Embracing the Path of Maturity :: COLOSSIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 5/07/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve discusses Embracing the Path of Maturity.

To embrace the path of maturity, you must first put childish ways behind you. God commissions people to help us mature. Maturity is a God-given objective for you and me. Spiritual growth is a gift for you and me.

God wants to lead you on the path of maturity so that you will live well, and find joy in who you have become, who you are, and who you are becoming.

To embrace the path of maturity, you need to look for specific people to help you travel this path. This path of maturity brings peace to your heart. Through Christ we are reconciled.

Take the gift of the pathway. Take the gift of the Gospel. Trust Christ to take you on the pathway.

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Don’t Let It Go :: COLOSSIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 4/30/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Hold onto the truth, and don’t let it go.

Hold onto the truth that Christ enacted the Gospel. He is God. He is above creation. He sustains creation.

Hold onto the truth that Christ is the head of the Church. He arose from the dead. The fullness of Deity in is Christ. Through Christ we are reconciled.

Hold onto the truth that Christ changes everything. He moves you from alienation to acceptance. He moves you from narcissism to altruism. He moves you from guilty to justified.

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Live Your Identity

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 04/23/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

As we look at Colossians 1:9-14, we see how these words apply to those trusting in Christ.

When you trust in Christ, your identity changes. If you want this change in identity, ask God for it.

When your identity is in Christ, God says who you are. You are able to know God’s will. You can’t know God’s mind, but you can know what God has in mind. You have wisdom from God, and can understand God’s movement. You are able to please God. You are able to live a life that matter. You are able to become strong in the faith.

Your identity comes entirely from God alone. You have this identity only by the grace of God. All you have that is of worth comes from God.

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Being Part of a Healthy Church Family

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 4/16/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

The Bible teaches essentials of being part of a healthy church family. Faith, hope and love are essential in all meaningful relationships.

It is essential in a loving church family that we are a people of faith. We are a people who trust in Christ’s righteousness. We are a people who have learned forgiveness.

It is essential in a loving church family that we are a people who love.

It is essential in a loving church family that we are a people who hope.

As Christ followers, it is our job to live lives of faith, hope and love in the Christian community we enjoy.

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