Thank you to the Ministry Team and Leadership Team for encouraging and granting a few days to rest. It was greatly appreciated!
RECAP: THE GOOD SHEPHERD based on John 10:11-18
There is a significant difference between something we do being just a job and being a passion. When it is just a job, we do not fully invest ourselves into it, because it is something we have to do. But when something is a passion, we want to do it! And when we want to do something, we devote all our time and energy to that.
Jesus is the good shepherd. He draws a distinction between himself and those who are just the hired hand. The shepherd, remember from last week, is the gate for the sheep. The gate, remember, is to protect those inside the sheepfold from the outside threats, such as the wolf. When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, they leave, because they are simply the hired hand; it is just a job! But the good shepherd fights off the wolf on behalf of the sheep. Israel’s leaders were criticized multiple times through the prophets for being poor shepherds, leaving the sheep unprotected, caring more for themselves and their own welfare instead of those whom they were called to serve. But God is the good shepherd, who would send his servant David, the Messiah, his Son to be the shepherd to lead his people into the green pastures. Jesus is the good shepherd! What does this look like?
1) The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus protected his sheep from the power of the enemy. But he went one step further. He broke the enemy’s claim on our lives that he has because of our sinful state and took the full attack of the wolf. He allowed himself to be crucified on behalf of our sin, taking our place, taking our penalty, so we can thrive and live. He did so because of his great love for us and because we are his friends. Do we thrive and live in a way we honor his sacrifice? Or do we wander into the clutches of the wolf?
2) He restores our relationship with God. Because of our sin, our relationship with God was damaged. God’s intent from the very beginning was to walk with humanity. But we are like sheep and are led astray. Just as a sheep is driven by its appetite and will wander into danger simply because it wants to fill its belly, so too we fall victim to the cravings of the flesh and wander away from the safety of God in order to fill our appetite for sin. But the good shepherd finds the one who wanders off, leaving the 99 on the hills, in order to find the one and bring to safety. He came to seek and to save the lost, to bring us back to God. Sometimes, we wander far, far away from the sheepfold of God. Even so, Jesus still calls, he still searches, and will never stop searching until we allow him to bring us back into the sheepfold. But he will only do so if we are willing to be restored.
3) He calls out to everyone. The shepherd’s charge is his own sheep. But Jesus’ passion is the whole world! He calls out to everyone, gives all the opportunity to hear his voice, repent and enter into the sheepfold of heaven. No one is left behind without purposefully choosing to stay behind. Jesus’ heart is for everyone to come to repentance and to spread the good news to all. And he paid for it with his life!
Jesus is the shepherd; we are the sheep. Will we follow him as our shepherd? Or will we wander and go our own way?
Questions for Reflection
1) What areas in your life do you find in conflict with following God?
2) Do you live in a way that honors the sacrifice of Jesus? Would people know that you belong to him?
3) Is your relationship with Jesus filled with passion? Or is it just something you do?
4) Who do you know could use the good news?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the “I AM JESUS” series with the sermon titled, “The Resurrection and the Life,” based on John 11:17-27. Jesus said he was the resurrection and the life. What does that truly mean? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for February 22 – 28
February 22: Jeremiah 10:17-22 What are the consequences of poor shepherds?
February 23: Ezekiel 34 How were the leaders of Israel bad shepherds, and how would God be the good shepherd?
February 24: Micah 5:2-5 What is the promise of the Messiah as shepherd?
February 25: Zechariah 11 How much damage can a poor shepherd do?
February 26: Revelation 7:9-17 What will Jesus do as the good shepherd?
February 27: Job 19:23-27 What was Job’s resurrection hope?
February 28: Matthew 7:13-14 Who finds eternal life?
This Week’s Events:
Sunday, February 27–Deacon Meeting after church
Sunday, February 27–Winter Jam Christian Concert in Roanoke; $10 admission
Saturday, March 5–Leadership Team Meeting w/ David Steele (open to all church) @ 3 pm
Saturday, March 5–Sadie Rose Pancake benefit @ 4 pm
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, March 6–First Sunday Breakfast @ 9:15 am
Sunday, March 6–Listening Session @ 9:45 am
Friday, March 25–Gospel Hymn Sing Concert Benefit for the Whitmore Family @ 6:30 pm
Announcements:
Process Update
The Leadership Team asks for your continued feedback! If you have any questions, need clarification, or anything, please contact Pastor Ryan or John Wright. We both will be happy to answer any questions you may have. As Pastor, I am proud of how the Leadership Team has handled everything so far, as well as the study and preparation they have undertaken serving on your behalf. I am also thankful for the team’s commitment to being transparent and filled with integrity throughout the entire process. Our goal and aim is to follow the Lord’s leading for Beaver Creek and to strive to keep our church whole. Here are the following scheduled updates:
Saturday, March 5–Leadership Team meeting with David Steele, General Secretary of the Church of the Brethren at 3 pm. It is open to all members who would like to come and listen. If you have a question you would like asked, please submit it to the office by Friday at noon, and we will make sure it is added to the list of questions.
Sunday, March 6–Listening session & update, 9:45 am. This is an opportunity to hear reflections from the Leadership Team about the meeting with David Steele and previous meeting with David Sollenberger, Moderator of Annual Conference. It will also be a time to hear hearts once more and answer any specific questions.
More details will be sent via mail to all members as to what will follow.
Whitmore Family Relief
Thank you all for your help so far! Through Sunday’s offerings, over 33,000 dollars have come into the church to help the family! It is truly amazing to see how we as a church and the community have come together to help our friends!
We will host a Gospel Hymn Sing Concert benefit on Friday, March 25 beginning at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm). We will collect a love offering for the Whitmore family. Some of the guests include Michael Hoover (Elvis), one of the Crestmans, and more!
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 stories. 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).
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
The Christian Education Team 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)
Sandy Bennington (health)
Samantha Cooper (health)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
John Fix (addiction)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Marty Moore (recovery)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Pidge Rhodes (recovery)
Lottie Ritchie (health)
Abbie Shiflet (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Whitmore family
Mary Whitmore (health)
Tom Wilfong (health)
Winne Wilfong (recovery)
Charles Wright (recovery)
Owen Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek COB