RECAP: GOOD FIGHT based on Colossians 1:25-2:5
Grover Cleveland once said, “A cause worth fighting for is worth fighting for to the end.” That is precisely what reformer William Tyndale did. He was convinced that the way to secure freedom in Christ was to break free from the dependence on a pope or a king that can only come from each individual having the opportunity to read the Bible in their own language. And so Tyndale translated his own version of the Bible from Latin, Hebrew, and Greek into Old English. Tyndale ultimately gave his life for his cause. However, Tyndale’s legacy lives on. Shortly after Tyndale, the Geneva Bible, using Tyndale’s translation as its base, was produced. From there came the Douay-Rheims, and from that came the King James Version, of which nearly every modern version of the Bible claims as its root! Today, Tyndale Publishing House produces thousands of Bibles each year, many in different languages, which go out to all the corners of the world, together with countless study aids to help understand the Scriptures! Tyndale fought for his cause, to the end, and today we are the beneficiaries.
Paul also was in a fight; he strove hard for the Colossians (and Laodiceans!) to be victorious in Christ. He pushed beyond his limits, and ultimately would also give his life to the cause. Paul was adamant that the church should stand up and fight for their faith. What did he want the Colossians to fight for? And what should we as the church fight for today?
1) For the Word of God in its fullness. While false teachers and culture wanted to exclude those who can receive an eternal reward, saying that only the elect who receive “special knowledge” will achieve salvation, Paul taught the exact opposite. Jesus, the creator of all, the one who holds everything together, was Word made flesh who dwelt among us. He came to bring us God’s Word, so all can have the opportunity to respond to the gospel. Christ suffered in his body, dying for everyone, so all can inherit eternal life if they choose to repent and believe. Why would someone die a gruesome death for just a few? The Word dwelt among us, giving us the full message of God, and was fully revealed to his saints. If our eyes and ears are open, we have access to the written Word, the inner Word, and the outer Word (Bible, Spirit, Christ) showing us the way of life. But if our ears and eyes are closed, we will miss the message.
2) For Christ in Us. Everyone can experience Christ daily in their lives. Christ has come to destroy and remove all man-made barriers to relationship with God. He is the hope of glory, the promise that we can encounter God at any time, in any place, without restriction. We can approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing God is with us and not against us. Don’t let anyone take that away or convince you that you are not wanted by God.
3) For perfection in Christ. Paul was not arguing for perfection as we understand it; rather, Paul was arguing for perfection that is best understood as whole and complete. Blaise Pascal talked about a “God-shaped hole” that exists inside of every human soul that can only be filled by Christ. When we push through all barriers and voices that try to hold us back and fully embrace Christ, we will find our hearts at rest and our lives will have true meaning. We get there through boldly proclaiming God’s Word, being corrected by its teaching and admonishment, and growing in wisdom. Pursuing Christ brings us into phase like a radio that is on a true frequency without interference with God, and we can understand him more fully and know the direction of our lives. Jesus is the answer; anything else will leave us empty.
4) Against fine-sounding arguments. There are many arguments out there that sound good but have nothing to do with the gospel. The proto-Gnostics were the greatest threat to the church in Colossae, teaching a form of special knowledge that is bestowed. That stands in contrast to the kingdom of God described as a hidden treasure that all can pursue; the road to heaven is narrow which only a few find. Any teaching that says one can find salvation by any other means than repentance, sacrifice, and Jesus is a false trail!
5) For a firm foundation. We are more than conquerors through Jesus. We can stand, no matter what we face. Will we work on our foundation? Our foundation is made strong through spiritual disciplines, those practices that help us draw near to Christ, and spiritual counsel who can lift us up in our weakness, encourage us, and point us in the ways of the Lord.
Paul gave it all for the church to thrive. Will we give our all to our faith? If we want something good in God, we need to fight for it!
Questions for Reflection
1) Can you articulate the gospel message?
2) Do you sense the presence of God daily in your life?
3) Is Christ your highest aim? Or are there other things that you desire to pursue that are greater than God?
4) What popular theology do you know that sounds good, but is contrary to the Bible? How can you test it?
5) How are you doing on foundation building? Investing in spiritual disciplines and counsel?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the series in the book of Colossians with the sermon titled, “Full & Free,” based on Colossians 2:6-15. What does it mean to walk in the freedom of Christ? How is that abundant life? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for October 4 – 10
October 4: Deuteronomy 30 How can we fight the good fight? How could we lose it?
October 5: Deuteronomy 31 How can we fight the good fight? How could we lose it?
October 6: Deuteronomy 32 How can we fight the good fight? How could we lose it?
October 7: Joshua 24 How can we fight the good fight? How could we lose it?
October 8: Ecclesiastes 12 How can we fight the good fight? How could we lose it?
October 9: Galatians 3 How does Christ bring freedom?
October 10: Galatians 5:1-15 What is the freedom promised in Christ?
This Week’s Events:
Sunday, October 9–Love Feast @ 5:30 pm
Monday, October 10–Pastoral Epistles Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, October 16–Chasing the Lions Bible Study at Lynne’s house (240 Ashby St, Dayton), 4 pm
Wednesday, October 19–Outreach Team @ 7 pm
Thursday, October 20–Leadership Team @ 7 pm
Saturday, October 22–Men’s Fellowship Chicken BBQ
Sunday, October 23–Chili/Soup Cook-Off & Council Meeting
Saturday, October 29–Fall Festival Outreach from 10 am to 1 pm
November 4 – 5–Beaver Creek Cares weekend
November 13–Crestmen leading worship service
Announcements:
BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!
If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office or leave in the offering plate your birth date so we do not miss anyone!
Need for Altar Decorator
Are you artistic? Do you have a desire to worship God using arts/crafts behind the scenes? We are in need of an individual or team to help decorate the altar each week for the months of October through December. If you would like to know what is expected, please reach out to Alice Over, the Worship Team chair, for more information.
Bible Study Opportunities!
The Chasing the Lion Bible Study will take a week off for Love Feast, but will resume on Sunday, October 16 @ 4 pm @ Lynne’s house (240 Ashby St, Dayton). This study meets every Sunday at 4 pm.
Pastor Ryan will also continue the study on the books of 1 and 2 Timothy. Paul shared his heart with Timothy and gave him instructions for himself and the church after he was gone. Most of these letters are reflected even today. How can we live our faith? I encourage you to dig deeper into these two short books! We will meet on Mondays in the church library from 7 pm – 8 pm.
Take advantage of one of these two Bible studies today! If you would like to participate in the Timothy Bible study, please email Pastor Ryan or call the office.
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
We are still in need of both worship leaders and children’s stories. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Tammy Stine (children’s story).
Fall Festival & Beaver Creek Cares–Candy Request
Our outreach team is planning a fall festival for the church and community. Fall Festival will be Saturday, October 29 from 10 am to 1 pm. Beaver Creek Cares will be November 4-5.
For both, we will need individually wrapped fun-sized pieces of candy (Halloween style) for both the kids for Fall Festival and for the teachers for the appreciation gifts during Beaver Creek Cares. You can bring the candy to the narthex. We need lots and lots of candy!
Fall Festival
Fall Festival will take place Saturday, October 29 from 10 am to 1 pm. This will be a community-based outreach to reach children and young families in our areas. We will have several different activities:
Carnival games (with candy prizes)
Pumpkin painting
Costume contest
Food (hot dogs, chips, drinks, popcorn)
We are also working on a bounce house and a hayride!
Many hands make light work. We will need three different sets of volunteers for the event:
Saturday morning to help with set-up (arrive around 8:30 am)
Saturday to help with the event
Saturday early afternoon with clean up (arrive around 1 pm)
There is a more detailed sign-up list in the narthex. Please sign up where you can help. We also need volunteers to help pass out flyers once they are ready. Let us come together and let the families in our community know Beaver Creek cares!
Also, there are flyers in the narthex. Please take as many as you would like, and especially pass them out to families with children. We need to get the word out about the event! I have also attached a copy of the flyer to this email.
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) Revival
7) Guidance for our congregation in the days ahead
Idea Box!
What do you want to see at Beaver Creek? What are some ideas you have for the long-term growth of our congregation? Any outrageous outreach ideas? Please either email Pastor Ryan or write them down and place them in the brown suggestion box in the narthex. Dream big!
Nursery
The Christian Education Team is looking for volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour. If you are willing to help, even if it is just for a Sunday, please reach out to the Christian Education Team and let them 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)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
John Fix (addiction)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Bob Hess (health)
Tori Jackson (peace)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Lottie Ritchie (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Whitmore family (various)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Winnie Wilfong (recovery)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Owen Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church