RECAP: NOW WHAT?? based on Acts 2:14-41
The disciples experienced a radical transformation. After an encounter with resurrected Jesus, the disciples stayed in Jerusalem in prayer. Their prayer, “Now what?” Once the Day of Pentecost came, they were completely new. This group could not contain the good news and spilled into the streets. Their number grew from twelve to one hundred twenty before the Day of Pentecost; on that day alone the number grew to three thousand who followed Jesus! And the church continued to grow in leaps and bounds!
But today, roughly two thousand years after those events, we are seeing the exact opposite. Instead of great growth, we are seeing a decline all across the land. In many congregations, the number of members lost is greater than new members on a consistent basis. And instead of sharing the good news about Jesus, there is more of a concern about how we can become relevant and water down the offensive quality of the gospel in order to get people to church. How can we turn this around? Now what do we do? We need to recapture the heart of the early church!
- Receive the Holy Spirit. The disciples gladly received the Holy Spirit. The promise of the Holy Spirit is for everyone–men and women, old and young, those who grew up in the church, and those who recently gave their hearts to Christ. It is for everyone, including those who are far off! When we receive it and open ourselves for heavenly transformation, we allow the very one who created the universe and raised Jesus from the dead to dwell within us. We have life-giving power flowing through us! Although it may feel or seem strange, don’t be ashamed of the Spirit! The disciples received and embraced, and it changed them completely! Dream dreams! See visions about what God can do through us!
- Speak the truth about Jesus. The Spirit enables us to truly prophesy. We are empowered to speak the truth and point the world back to Jesus. We have the power to become His witness, speaking to His life and teachings and refusing to back down in declaring Jesus as the Son of God! The disciples refused to stay silent, even when they were threatened with public torture. Let us boldly declare the truth about Jesus and point others to the one who can set humanity free! Refuse to water down the gospel! Don’t be afraid to offend that you water down the truth and compromise. Speak the truth because you love!
- Publicly declare your true allegiance. If we are in Christ, then it should be revealed in what we believe and how we live. We should actively call upon the name of the Lord and repent of our sins daily, living for Jesus! That means leaving our past in the past. We should live in the spirit of baptism, publicly declaring that our old self has been washed away and we are new in Christ. It also means saving ourselves from this corrupt generation, severing the ties of that which keep us in bondage.
The disciples simply did these three things, and their obedience turned the world upside down. What can happen in our day if we receive the Spirit, speak the truth about Jesus, and publicly declare our allegiance to God? Maybe our world will change for the better!
Questions for Reflection
1) In what area would you like to see Beaver Creek grow?
2) Are you a good witness of Jesus Christ? If not, what change can you make to be so?
3) What is a dream or vision you have had about the body of Christ?
4) Are you willing to speak the truth about Jesus? If not, what is holding you back? Can you surrender it?
5) In what way can you publicly declare your allegiance to Christ?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the study in the discipline of celebration with the sermon titled, “Why Celebrate?”, based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-20. How does the resurrection affect us personally? How should it increase our view of Jesus? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for April 18 – 24
April 18: Numbers 9:1-14 How did Moses and Israel mark the anniversary of the Exodus?
April 19: Deuteronomy 32:1-47 How did Moses celebrate the end of his life, and the time of wandering?
April 20: Joshua 8:30-35 How did Israel celebrate the firm establishment in the promised land?
April 21: Judges 5:1-31 How did Deborah celebrate a mighty victory from God?
April 22: 1 Kings 8:1-21 How did Israel celebrate the completion of the temple?
April 23: 2 Kings 23:1-25 How did Josiah celebrate the finding of the book of the Law?
April 24: 1 Chronicles 16:1-36 How did Israel celebrate the arrival of the ark in Jerusalem?
This Week’s Events:
Thursday, April 19–Leadership Team Meeting @ 7 pm
Saturday, April 22–Crestmen Benefit Concert @ 4 pm
Sunday, April 23–Worship Team Meeting @ 12 pm
Monday, April 24–Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, April 29–Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, Thomas House @ 7:15 am
Sunday, April 30–Christian Education/Children’s Church Meeting after worship, 12 pm
Saturday, May 13–Mother/Daughter Banquet
Announcements:
Celebration– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
Celebration is very important for our spiritual health. This week, celebrate your family and church family. Make phone calls, enjoy time together, and uplift one another!
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 & 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)
Whitmore family (house)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Jeff Wilbur (health)
Cindy Wittig (recovery)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
John & Joyce Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church