Tag: commission

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Never Giving Up :: COMMISSION

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 4/2/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Jesus is a man with everlasting commitment. He is committed to our redemption. He is committed to our salvation.

Jesus is a man of strength and power. Nothing can hold Him back. Evil quakes in fear at His appearance.

Jesus is a man unique to this task. His coming is planned by God. He alone will stay the course.

Jesus is a man who is Victor. Yahweh is on His side so His face is set like flint. He is without blame.

Jesus is a man who offers real choice. We can choose to trust Him. Or, we can choose to trust ourselves.

Christ’s journey speaks to us. He is committed to our redemption. He is worthy of our trust. He invites us to find life in Him.

Christ’s journey instructs us to stand firm, to not hold back, and to rest in the truth.

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O – Ongoing Prayer :: COMMISSION

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 3/26/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Prayer is important. As we look to Jesus, we see he prayed a lot! He prayed at His baptism. He prayed before calling the disciples. He prayed at the feeding of the multitudes. He prayed all the time. He prayed before His arrest. He prayed after His resurrection.

Why do we pray? We pray to connect spiritually to God.

We pray to receive wisdom in life’s decisions.

We pray to have strength when the stakes are high.

We pray to take advantage of the blessings of prayer.

We pray to prepare ourselves for battles yet to come.

How do you make prayer an integral part of your lives? You set aside deliberate time to pray. You don’t let fear of “virtue signaling” prevent you from teaching others to pray. You share stories with others of answered prayers.

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I – Interdependence :: COMMISSION

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 3/19/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Pastor Steve continues his series on COMMISSION.

Interdependence permeates our existence. Our differences strengthen us. God made us to need one another.

In order to walk deeply into the pathway of interdependence you must let go of fear. You must let go of your pride. You must let go of your judgement and instead give grace. Grace is essential in interdependence.

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S – Showcasing Christ’s Teachings :: COMMISSION

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 3/12/23 by Chaplain Branden Root.

Listen as Chaplain Branden Root speaks on how you can showcase the Gospel by understanding your commission.

You can walk in a manner worthy of your calling.

You can be unified in your mindset.

You can embrace the humility of Christ in all that you do.

You can exalt Christ above everything else.

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I – Intentional Living :: COMMISSION

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 2/26/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Living your commission requires you abandon careless, sloppy thinking and begin to pursue intentional living.

There is an evil spirit of the age. It is relentless and seemingly timeless. The world seems blind to the zeitgeist.

Intentional living tests the spirits by asking some questions.

What is the source? Where did it come from?

What is the direction? Where is this heading?

What is the end? Does that take me to Jesus?

Intentional living means walking in wisdom. Live intentionally regarding your time. Live intentionally regarding your resources. Live intentionally regarding your heart.

Intentionally direct the thankfulness that comes from your heart to express your appreciation for Christ by the way you live.

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M – Made To Make A Difference :: COMMISSION

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 2/19/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Everyone wants to make a difference. But the difference isn’t a matter of size; it’s a matter of commission.

Making a difference requires a clear vision of your commission. Resist the temptation to “be somebody”. Productive ministry can happen is small, personal ways.

Making a difference that matters means you need to separate yourself from sin.

Making a difference that matters means you need to love God’s instruction and God Himself.

Making a difference that matters means you look for ways to influence others.

The difference we make has an eternal blessing. God uses it to restore value to human lives. God uses it to prepare others to stand in righteousness. God uses it to change lives by bringing His presence.

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M – Mountain Moving Faith :: COMMISSION

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 2/12/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Our commission regards Kingdom interests. The promises of asking anything in God’s name and receiving it are given in a certain environment. They are given to “disciples”, people who are following Christ. The promises are given in the context of Kingdom ministry.

Human political movements are not the solution to humankind’s greatest of needs. Instead, we need to look to the greatness of God’s power.

Mountain moving faith trusts God.

Mountain moving faith rescues people from evil.

Do you have some mountains that need moving? Personal spiritual mountains are things that keep you from being who God wants you to be. Personal ministry mountains are the things that keep you from doing what God wants you to do. Collective ministry mountains are the things that keep us from doing what God has for us to do.

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O – Outward Focus :: COMMISSION

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 2/05/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Jesus had an outward focus. We see this in His becoming human, His Kingdom teaching and His going to the cross.

When we look at the life of Christ we can see the patterns of His outward focus.

Jesus’ pattern entailed going. He went to where the people were. That’s part of being outward focused.

Jesus’ pattern entailed connecting. Influencing someone toward life change almost always entails connecting with them personally and genuinely.

Jesus’ pattern was to engage people on a spiritual level both relationally and clearly.

How can you live your commission based on the pattern of Jesus? Get off the couch! Risk rebuttal. Engage personally and authentically.

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C – Call :: COMMISSION

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 01/29/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

C in commission is for call. Coming to Jesus changes your life. There is a better life to come, and it is for certain! The future affects how you live now. It affects how you live with others in this life, and it affects how people view you in this life. You are motivated by the love of Christ.

What does living your call look like?

You see people from a different perspective, from Christ’s perspective. You see the kinds of changes God makes in the lives of people. Christ changes people through the Gospel.

God has called each of us. He has commissioned us. The call of God in your life is a pretty big deal! The seriousness of the situation influences the expectation of participation.

Indifference to the call is a warning sign that you may need a reboot. You may need to ask God what He has for you and to see from His perspective.

Some healthy motivation to respond to the call is knowing that you are Christ’s ambassador as stated in Corinthians 5:20. You can make an eternal impact. You can make a personal impact. You can give your life to Someone greater than yourself.

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