Month: June 2025

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The Meaning of Baptism

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/22/25 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve goes through the meaning of baptism based on Matthew 3:3-17.

Biblically, baptism is a cleansing with water by immersion.

Personally, baptism shows people your commitment to Christ. It shows God your commitment to Christ. It shows you that you are committed to Christ. It is a mile marker.

Spiritually, baptism reminds you that you are clean. Washed by the blood of Christ and free from guilt and shame. It reminds you that you are new, dead to sin, and alive to God.

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The Pharisee and The Tax Collector :: PARABLES

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/15/25 by Pastor Steve Shields.

In this parable found in Luke 18, there are two different kinds of people. The Pharisee who is the epitome of what we understand as righteousness, and the tax collector who is the epitome of wickedness.

These two different kind of people had two very different kinds of prayers. The arrogant prayer was made by the pharisee who stood and was praying to himself. The broken prayer was given by the tax collector, who realized he was not alright.

There were two different outcomes. One is humbled and one is exalted. One is not justified and one is justified.

Jesus tells this parable to force us to see our need for grace. Coming to God clothed in our own righteousness is obscene. Jesus invites us to come to Him in our brokenness.

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The Ten Virgins- The Pitfall of Neglect :: PARABLES

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/1/25 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Pastor Steve begins by presenting the elements in the parable. The ten virgins are the bridal party. The bridegroom is Jesus. The wedding banquet is the reception. The lamps are necessary to make the journey. The oil is the Holy Spirit.

Foolishness can neglect an encounter with the holy, the sharing in the joy of others, or God-given glimpse of eternity.

Signs of neglect are a casual attitude toward the gift, a dimming of the light – a cooling of the fire, or a disinterest in the return of Christ.

To avoid the pitfall of neglect be sure you have the gift. Keep the end in mind always. Be alert.

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