RECAP: WHY DO YOU LOOK FOR THE LIVING? and LOOK AT MY HANDS AND FEET based on Luke 24:1-12, 36-50
When the women went to the tomb to place spices on Jesus’ body shortly before dawn, they had a daunting task ahead of them. There was the big stone that needed to be rolled back uphill, away from the entrance of the tomb, that often took the strength of several men to even move. The tomb was sealed with a Roman seal, the equivalent of liquid concrete, and had a posted guard simply because the religious leaders were paranoid. Yet they came beyond all hope, just to get one final glimpse of Jesus.
What they got changed their lives forever. They came to the tomb and saw it was open! The guards were gone. They went inside, and found only the linens and two angelic beings with the message, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Jesus has risen! And that changes everything!
How should we respond in light of the resurrection?
- Sometimes we need things to help us remember. Even though the women had heard the words of Jesus, they needed the reminder to press through their grief to embrace the miracle. Likewise, we too need to place things in our lives to help us remember, to keep our focus on Christ!
- Don’t make God too small. When the women went to the disciples, they were quick to dismiss the report. In part, it was hard to believe. Also, the testimony of women in that time period was considered less than reliable. Their lack of belief prevented them from seeing the miracle until much later. What man calls impossible, God calls possible!
- See for yourself. Peter, unlike the others, went to the tomb to see for himself. He experienced the same empty grave and linens that the women saw. Even though it is easy to doubt, Jesus invites us like Peter to come and experience for ourselves, to see and touch the miracle of the resurrection.
- Look for the living Christ. Why do we look for the living among the dead? We serve a risen Savior but act as if he is still in the tomb. But Jesus is not dead; he is alive! So let us look for Jesus at work, and let us boldly share with others the good news!
The disciples still struggled even after the women’s report. They were, after all, pretty hard-headed and difficult. But, after the post-resurrection encounter with Jesus, these disciples changed from misguided and foolish fellows into bold world changers! What did that encounter with Jesus do for them? How did they change? And how can we change in light of the resurrection?
- Embrace Christ’s peace. The peace that Christ gives us is more than a simple greeting or absence of conflict. Rather, it is a peace that passes all understanding. When things do not make sense and they are horrible, Christ’s peace gives us calm through the midst of any storm, for we know the one whom we follow. It is a peace that guards our hearts and minds in Jesus, that anchors our belief in the resurrected Lord!
- Move from doubt to faith. The disciples doubted at first, primarily because they were afraid. Fear holds us back and robs us of great blessings. But what moves us from doubt to faith is to be willing to move out of our comfort zone and trust Jesus at his Word. He invited them to see and touch and invites us to do the same.
- Experience for ourselves. Jesus ate the fish in the disciples’ presence in part to prove he was not a ghost, but also to recall all the times they had eaten together. Fish was a regular meal! Just as Jesus called his disciples back to relationship and to walk together again, so he does for us as well. Will we have a relationship with Jesus?
- Retell the Scriptures. Jesus used the Scriptures to point back to himself. All of the Scriptures testify to Jesus. To deny the Scriptures is to deny Jesus! To replace the Scripture or rewrite is to remove Jesus! Let the Scriptures drive who we are!
- Be his witness. Christ gave us the Holy Spirit to testify about him. We have the good news of the resurrection; all we have to do is share it!
Do we believe in the resurrection? Let it transform our lives!
Questions for Reflection
1) Where do you have doubts? Can you name those to God?
2) Do you truly know Jesus and have a relationship with him?
3) On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, what is the level of your faith? What can help increase your faith?
4) How frequently do you read the Scriptures?
5) Who can you share with this week the good news of the resurrection?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the study in the discipline of celebration with the sermon titled, “Now What?”, based on Acts 2:16-41. Jesus has risen; so what do we do now? How does the resurrection change things? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for April 11 – 17
April 11: Mark 16:9-20 What should we do with the resurrection?
April 12: Luke 24:13-35 How can Jesus make himself known?
April 13: Luke 24:36-52 How can Jesus make himself known?
April 14: John 20:19-31 How can Jesus make himself known? How should we respond to the resurrection?
April 15: John 21:15-25 How should we live a resurrection life?
April 16: Genesis 14:17-24 How did Abram and Melchizedek celebrate God’s victory?
April 17: Exodus 15:1-21 What was Moses’ song of celebration of the Red Sea?
This Week’s Events:
Saturday, April 15–Men’s Fellowship Chicken Barbecue (we need volunteers to especially turn chicken!)
Monday, April 17–Timothy Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, April 19–Leadership Team Meeting @ 7 pm
Saturday, April 22–Crestmen Benefit Concert @ 4 pm
Announcements:
Celebration– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
Celebration is very important for our spiritual health. This week, take five minutes each day to celebrate what God has done in the life of the church. Think about each other; how have we seen God move? What prayers has he answered? Tell that individual you are thinking of them and celebrate together!
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!
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Phyllis Simmons (children’s story).
Extraordinary Women’s Conference
This is an opportunity for the ladies of the church. The Extraordinary Women’s Conference returns to Lynchburg this year on October 13-14! Some of the speakers include Tim Tebow, Mandisa, Julie Clinton, Hannah Keeley, and others, with a concert from Big Daddy Weave and worship led by Michael O’Brien. The cost is $64 for basic and $84 for gold as long as you register by March 31. The Fidelis class really would like to see if we can get a group of women together to go. If you are interested, please contact the church office. If there is a large enough group, there can potentially be a discounted group rate.
Benefit Concert
We will host a benefit concert for Emma’s trip and for Savannah Miller’s treatment on Saturday, April 22 at 4 pm. The Crestmen will inspire us through wonderful songs, and Reba’s family will open the evening. There will be an offering taken toward the end of the service for these two wonderful causes. Food will be provided afterward. Please grab a flyer and spread the word!
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 six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour and church hour. There will be a signup sheet in the back. If you would be willing to volunteer to allow our families to be able to participate in worship, please let one of the members of Christian Education know (Theresa Eckard, Scott McAvoy, Becky Whitmore), or sign up on the signup sheet!
Children’s Church
The Christian Education team would like to relaunch children’s church for our kids, as well as for the kids in our community without a church home. To be successful, we need six to eight volunteers who would be willing to give up one Sunday either a month or every other month to minister to our children. If you are interested, please let one of Christian Education know, email the church office, or sign up on the sign-up sheet on Sunday.
The hope is that as we build our children’s ministry, more young families will want to participate in the church.
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
Eddie Baker (health)
Terri Burkholder (health)
Deanne Dastoli (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)
Lynne Lent (health)
Alma Long (health)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Norlen Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Savannah Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Family of Stanley Suter (peace and comfort)
Family of Rodney Shiflet (peace and comfort)
Whitmore family (house)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Jeff Wilbur (health)
Cindy Wittig (recovery)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Joyce Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church