**Note: Pastor Ryan is on vacation and Annual Conference from Wednesday, June 23 through Wednesday, July 7. After next week’s edition, the following edition will not be published until Thursday, July 8.
RECAP–NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU based on John 8:1-11
#1 Hymn–Amazing Grace
The context for the Hymn (based on previous research compiled by Pastor Ryan)
John Newton: Life before salvation–drunk, womanizer. Grew up in the church, but renounced his belief in God after believing God would rob him of the “joy of living.”
Conscripted in the Royal Navy–deserted and hid in the slave trade
Called “most debaucherous sailor” on the ship
Involved in the slave trade from Sierra Leone–enjoyed torturing other human beings
Attempted to lead a mutiny of the captain in retaliation for discipline; was starved and punished, placed in a make-shift jail on the ship
Later on the journey–very stormy at sea–ship’s hull was damaged and water swept over board. Several men were swept out to sea, several died
John feared for his life, and prayed for the first time in a long time, promising to God he would turn his life around if he was spared.
He was one of the very few who survived. Realizing he deserved to die, and he was shown grace, he decided to give his heart to the Lord.
“How industrious is Satan served. I was formerly one of his active undertemptors and had my influence been equal to my wishes, I would have carried all the human race with me. A common drunkard or profligate is a petty sinner to what I was.”
Later, John went to ministry school. He served the Olney congregation in England. Later, he put his conversion experience to a poem, which is Amazing Grace.
SERMON RECAP
Amazing Grace was clearly written by one who had experienced God’s amazing grace! We value God’s grace more when we have been delivered from something deep. Do we believe God can transform anyone?
An amazing picture of God’s amazing grace was the account of the woman caught in the act of adultery. The story has three major truths:
1) There is a penalty for sin. The woman was an adulteress. According to the Law (Deut 22:23-24), such a woman must die, and the evil purged from the land of Israel. Although the penalty for adultery was public death, any sin carries a death sentence. The wages of all sin is death (Rom 6:23). It doesn’t matter what sin we have committed, we all will have a penalty. Some carry immediate penalties on this earth; some have long-term consequences, but all sin has spiritual consequences.
2) God already knows our sin. Jesus knew what this woman had done. But Jesus also saw the sin resting in every other heart there that day. When we sin, we think we can try to hide it from God, for we don’t want to become exposed. But God already knows the truth. Yet God still loves us, and invites us to come, even in our state of sin. We are only hurting ourselves when we try to hide.
3) God extended radical grace. This woman deserved death, yet Jesus gave her another chance at life. God gives us grace too, with the hope of a new life!
So how do we live in this grace?
1) Remember, we are all sinners saved by grace. Not one of us is righteous on our own. Don’t lose sight of what God has delivered you from; it will help you show mercy and compassion to those in need of grace!
2) Mercy over judgment. Instead of casting stones, we should be people of grace. If not for God’s grace, we could be that woman!
3) Grace leads to radical transformation. Grace is not just a get out of jail free card; rather, it is with the purpose of life change. The woman was challenged to and sin no more.
Do we believe people can change? Let us be people of grace!
Questions for reflection
1) What sin do you struggle with that you try to hide from God?
2) Do you remember the first time you were touched by his grace?
3) Why is mercy a more powerful agent of change than discipline?
4) Who needs to be radically transformed by God? Can you extend them grace?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday Pastor Ryan is on vacation, but the Gideons are in town! They will share more about the ministry. Come or tune in Sunday to find out.
Daily Bible Readings for June 22 – July 6
June 22: Mark 9:14-29 What grace did Jesus show a demon possessed boy?
June 23: Mark 10:46-52 What grace did Jesus show Bartimaeus?
June 24: Mark 14:1-9 What grace did Jesus show a sinful woman?
June 25: Luke 7:1-10 What grace did Jesus show a centurion?
June 26: Luke 13:10-17 What grace did Jesus show a woman with a shriveled hand?
June 27: Revelation 1:1-9 How can we have a future grounded in Jesus?
June 28: Revelation 22:1-7 What future is promised for us?
June 29: 2 Timothy 3:10-17 What is the role of Scripture for our future?
June 30: Revelation 3:14-22 How does complacency risk our future?
July 1: Matthew 14:22-33 How can circumstances cloud our future?
July 2: Ephesians 3:14-20 What role does prayer and Jesus play in our future?
July 3: Revelation 21:1-6 What is the perfect future for us?
July 4: Romans 1:18-32 What evils can unchecked freedom unleash?
July 5: Romans 6:1-14 What freedom can Christ bring?
July 6: Romans 6:15-23 What are the limits of freedom?
This Week’s Events:
Saturday, June 26–Josh McDowell @ Antioch
Sunday, June 27–Gideons Sunday
Sunday, June 27 – Sunday, July 4–Annual Conference
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, July 11–Summer Vespers @ 6:30 pm
Announcements:
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
As we look at the ability to reopen in the coming weeks, we are in need of both worship leaders and children’s story. We are looking for one person each week, rather than a month at a time. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Tammy Stine (children’s story).
Summer Vespers
In place of our Lenten Vespers, we will have summer outdoor vespers on our church grounds three Sunday evenings during the summer: July 11, August 8, and September 5 at 6:30 pm. Come enjoy some fellowship, campfire songs, and our wonderful church family outdoors! More details will be coming in future editions.
Brethren Woods–Fundraising Opportunities
Thank you to all who have given! The video for the “dunking” will be on the website soon!
Call to Prayer
Let us continue to pray for our nation in the following ways:
1) National return to God
2) Repentance of personal sin
3) Repentance of corporate sin
4) Healing for the brokenness of relationships
5) Our leaders
6) Restoration of the national church
7) Revival
Nursery
Misti Wheelbarger is looking for volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour for next year. If you are willing to help, even if it is just for a Sunday, please reach out to her and let her know.
Four Ways to Give!
1) Mail your tithe into the church office
2) Drop it by the church office on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, 9 am – 1 pm
3) Our online giving platform: https://beavercreekchurchva.churchcenter.com/giving
4) Drop off in the offering plate at the main entrance as you enter for church
Prayer Needs
Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller, Stanley Suter & Carolyn Wine
John Bennington (health)
Sam Carr (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Tina Dotson (COVID)
Bill Eckard (recovery)
John Fix (addiction)
Janet Good (health)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Shannon Hollen (health)
Shirley Holland (health)
Heath Kimmell (health)
Larry LaPrade (COVID)
Lent family (work)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (recovery)
Mary G Miller (procedure)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Evy Kaye Sandin (recovery)
Chris Shirk (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Tammy Stine (broken ankle)
Thompson family (COVID)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Whitmore family (various)
Owen Wright (health)
Tyler Zombro (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek COB