Lies even Seasoned Christians Can Believe – Whose Life Is This, Anyway?

Presented at Curwensville Alliance Church on March 4, 2018 by Pastor Steve Shields

We’re continuing in a series today – a series that addresses lies that even seasoned Christians believe.

What was the first lie we addressed? You are alone. That’s a lie that even seasoned Christians believe.

The second lie has to do with usability. Through various means, sometimes the enemy of your soul will tell you that you have no value. That you are unusable. It’s a lie that even seasoned Christians believe.

Today’s lie was expressed by Billy Joel in the song My Life.

I don’t care what you say anymore
This is my life.
Go ahead with your own life,
Leave me alone.

The lie is this: This is my life

And sometimes even seasoned Christians can believe it.

In 1993, basketball great, Charles Barkley said these words in a Nike Commercial.

“I’m not a role model. I am not paid to be a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”

That was Barkley – pretty outspoken about such things.

But not everyone agrees that athletes are not role models. Twenty years after that commercial aired, when he was playing in the NFL, Tim Tebow was asked about athletes who insist they are not role models.

Tim Tebow said…

Yes, you are a role model, you are just not a good one.

We could debate the question of celebrity role modeling forever, but here’s something on which we can probably all agree: Whenever you are visible to others, you have the potential to be an influence – for good or bad – on those who see you.

This Podcast speaks about your life — and the responsibility that comes with it.

Lies even Seasoned Christians Can Believe – “Uselessness”

Presented at Curwensville Alliance Church by Pastor Steve Shields on 2/25/2018

Jim Marshall DT

While playing for the Minnesota Vikings, defensive end Jim Marshall did something embarrassing.

In a game against the 49ers, he recovered a fumble and ran it 66 yards — the wrong way — into his own end zone.

Because he thought he’d scored a touchdown for his team, he threw the ball away in celebration, only to have it go out of bounds, giving a safety for the other team.

Despite this error, Minnesota went on to win the game 27–22, with the victory provided by a touchdown return of a fumble caused by Marshall.

I am sure there are a lot of people who know Marshall’s pain.

And I am sure there are a lot of people who, upon failing so miserably, left the arena. They allowed their failure to be fatal.

Sometimes Christians can feel this way. We see our own failings as tragic, and retire from serving God.

They believe a lie that they are useless in the Kingdom.

This podcast speaks about this and gives insight into why failures don’t have to be fatal.

 

Lies even Seasoned Christians Can Believe – “You Are Alone”

Presented at Curwensville Alliance
by Pastor Steve Shields on 2/18/2018

I believe the feeling of “aloneness” is common to humankind. Everyone struggles with it to one degree or another.

 But as a Christian, are you ever really alone?

My guess is that the enemy of your soul would like you to think so.

This Podcast addresses the question of aloneness in the life of the Christian.
-Pastor Steve