RECAP: CALLED AND EMPOWERED based on 2 Peter 1:3-11
My favorite show as a young child was the Price is Right. I loved to see the excitement on people’s faces when they were randomly chosen from the crowd, and they rushed down the aisle to partake in a pricing game, sometimes winning big prizes like “A NEW CAR!”
How does it feel to be chosen? For those in the game show, it was euphoric. For us, when we are chosen, it uplifts our spirit and strengthens our soul. Peter fully understood the power of what it meant to be chosen. Before Jesus, Simon was a lowly fisherman, undesired by the world. But Jesus chose him, and he became Peter the Rock, and empowered to stand before an entire city to proclaim the gospel message.
Do you know each and every one of us have been called and chosen by God? 1 Peter 2:9–“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, called to declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” John 15:16a –“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you.” Peter again understood this, and conveyed to us today what it means to be called. We are called:
1) To live a godly life. His divine power has given us everything we need for a life of godliness. That means we are capable to be able to look like Christ, to allow him to mold us into his image, to be a reflection. This means we can fully live a life free from the bondage of sin. How? We have to first grow in our knowledge of Christ. This means we have to have a healthy diet of the Word of God, of seasons of prayer, worship, and putting into practice what we have learned. Second, we need to separate from the corruption of the world. The world’s way stands contrary to the way of God and will lead down a path far away from his presence. Third, we have to avoid the bondage of sin, actively removing sin from our lives and remembering what God has done. “Do not forget” occurs many times in the Scriptures, serving as a reminder; if we forget what God has done, we will walk right back into bondage. We will cut ourselves off from the living water and become stagnate, like a swamp, and then be surrounded by death and decay.
2) To participate in the divine nature–to share the good news! Jesus could have preached the gospel to everyone, but he chose to invest in a few to carry the message. And those twelve became one hundred and twenty, and then three thousand and more! We are colaborers with Christ (1 Cor 3:9), and Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). Because of what he has already done in us, we can spread the good news of his promises to a world needing hope, and also show this world it is possible to live in eternal life even now!
3) Be empowered by God. God has already given us everything we need (2 Pet 1:3). As we abide in Christ, like a branch abides because of its connection to the trunk and roots, we will flourish. But if we get cut off, or stop taking in proper nutrition, we will die like a tree. We need to take our life source from God himself and prune off those branches holding us back. We can have the daily empowerment of the Spirit, and we can grow in our faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
We have been chosen. We can live a godly life, share the good news, and be powered by God himself! Will you answer the call, or will you stay in the audience? The choice is yours!
Questions for Reflection
1) How do you feel knowing you have been chosen by God?
2) In what ways this week can you grow in your pursuit of a godly life?
3) How are you abiding in Christ? In what ways can you intentionally grow spiritually?
4) Are there any things in your life that need to be cut off, because they are holding you back?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday Pastor Ryan will continue the Vision series with the sermon titled, “Innovative Disciples,” based on Leviticus Daniel 1:4-20. How can we best live our faith in a hostile world? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for August 31 – September 6
August 31: Joshua 1:1-9 How did the Lord call Joshua?
September 1: 1 Samuel 3:1-21 How did the Lord call Samuel?
September 2: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 How did God call David?
September 3: Isaiah 6:1-13 How did the Lord call Isaiah?
September 4: Jeremiah 1:4-19 How did the Lord call Jeremiah?
September 5: Exodus 18:1-27 What innovative counsel did Jethro provide Moses?
September 6: Joshua 6:1-27 What innovative battle plan did God provide Israel?
This Week’s Events:
Wednesday, September 1–Worship Committee @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 4–Adoption Ceremony @ 6 pm
Sunday, September 5–Normal worship hours resume; first Sunday breakfast @ 9:15, Sunday School @ 9:45, Worship @ 11:00; First Sunday Offering for the Food Pantries!
Sunday, September 5–Teacher Appreciation Sunday & New Member Sunday
Sunday, September 5–Summer Vespers @ 6:30 pm
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, September 7–Women’s Fellowship @ 6:30 pm
Thursday, September 9–Leadership Team @ 7 pm (note date change!)
Sunday, September 12–Baptism Sunday
Saturday, September 25–Alma Long’s 100 birthday celebration!
Saturday, September 25–Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Brethren Woods
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).
Adoption Celebration
Beaver Creek family and friends: Please join us on Saturday, September 4 at 6 pm as we have a ceremony of adoption for our newest member of our family, Joscelin! We will have a ceremony dedicating the adoption, and then a time of refreshments after. Come and share in our happiness! We need to know about how much food to prepare for, so please call the office or Pastor Ryan, or email Pastor Ryan and let him know you are coming!
Summer Vespers
In place of our Lenten Vespers, we will have summer outdoor vespers on our church grounds one additional Sunday evening during the summer: September 5 at 6:30 pm. Come enjoy some fellowship, campfire songs, and our wonderful church family outdoors!
Baptism
The plan right now is to have a baptism on Sunday, September 12!
Card Shower
On September 21, Alma Long turns 100! Let’s bless her with a card shower!
Call to Prayer & Discernment
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) Revival
7) Guidance for our congregation in the days ahead
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 on Sunday!
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)
Justin & Maryissa Cooper (COVID)–Pastor Ryan’s brother and sister-in-law
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Bill Eckard (recovery)
John Fix (addiction)
Janet Good (health)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Hensley family (COVID)
Amelia Kimmell (COVID)
Heath Kimmell (health)
Larry LaPrade (COVID)
Lent family (work)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Lottie Ritchie (health)
Chris Shirk (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Tammy Stine (broken ankle)
Frank Tusing (health)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Whitmore family (various)
Tom Wilfong (back/neck)
Owen Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek COB