COME, FOLLOW ME based on Matthew 19:16-30
The story of the rich young ruler is rather sad. Here, he came to Jesus, trying to find out how he could gain eternal life, but in the end, he walked away, refusing to follow. We might be quick to judge the rich young man, saying, “How could he do such a thing?” or “He needed to adjust his priorities.” However, this passage reveals truths that all of us as human beings face, for we all have barriers that keep us from following Jesus. What are those barriers?
- Believing we can be good on our own merit (19:16). Jesus pointed out there is only One who is good–God alone! Despite our best efforts, our righteousness is like filthy rags. We can try to be good for a season, but in reality, we are unable to do good fully because we are filled with sin. Therefore, we cannot impress God. But our belief we can be good enough blinds us from our real need for a Savior and a dependency on the grace of God.
- Selective obedience (19:18). The rich man asked Jesus to clarify which commandments to follow because he knew he was not following all of them. We want the blessing that comes with the favor of God without the commitment to fully obey. But God is looking for one who is fully committed!
- Pride (19:20). The rich man believed he did not lack anything because he faithfully kept the commandments that Jesus outlined. His pride blinded him to the fact that Jesus purposefully omitted some commandments because he knew that was where he was in error! Instead of fully believing in God, money was his god, and pride was his idol. Pride blinds us from seeing things as they are!
- Materialism & wealth (19:22-24). The rich ruler could not sacrifice his wealth and give to the poor because it had a hold on him. Material possessions can have a hold on us if we are attached to them. The more material things we have, the harder it becomes to follow God and listen to God because we have more things we need to surrender or give up to God.
- Faulty paradigms (19:25-27). The disciples also had a hard time with the rich man’s rejection and even harder with Jesus’ assessment. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven! They had to correct two faulty paradigms: the belief that some people are more deserving of salvation than others and we are obedient to gain a reward. But we are all sinners saved by grace; none deserve salvation! The cross was a gift for all, not just a few! And we should be obedient because we love, not because we want something in return.
These areas and barriers keep us from truly giving everything to Jesus. But what steps can we take to break these barriers down?
- Strive to keep God’s commandments (19:17-19). Let us strive to be obedient to the Word of God, not because we must or want something in return; rather, let us be obedient because we value our relationship with God!
- Serve & meet the needs of others (19:21). The best way to break the hold of materialism is to serve and live with an open hand, willing to meet the needs around us. Jesus, after all, came not to be served but to serve.
- Surrender & follow Jesus (19:21). To surrender is to relinquish control and bring all of our actions under the authority of Jesus. When we surrender, we declare that Jesus is the one who leads our lives.
- Sacrifice without expectation (19:30). When we are willing to lay on the altar the things that we treasure because of our love for Jesus and expect nothing else, we will find true joy in life!
Questions for Reflection
1) What commandments do you have difficulty obeying? Why?
2) What do you have the most difficult time surrendering?
3) What do you believe about God and salvation? Does it align with Scripture?
4) How can you serve God this week?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the study in the discipline of service with the sermon titled, “Service is Worship,” based on Romans 12:1-8. What is our true and reasonable act of worship? What role does service play in discovering God’s will? Come or tune in on Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for October 17 – 23
October 17: Matthew 12:9-13 How did Jesus’ act of service impact lives?
October 18: Matthew 12:15-21 How is Jesus the servant spoken of by Isaiah?
October 19: Matthew 14:13-21 How did acts of service impact lives?
October 20: Matthew 18:15-20 How is forgiveness an act of service?
October 21: Matthew 18:21-35 How are forgiveness, service, and mercy related?
October 22: Matthew 20:1-16 What should be our attitude about service?
October 23: Matthew 20:20-28 What should be our attitude about service?
This Week’s Events:
Sunday, October 22–Congregational Business Meeting & Chili Cook-Off after church
Monday, October 23–Timothy Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, October 28–Men’s Chicken Barbeque @ 4:30 am
Sunday, October 29–Trunk or Treat @ Oakdale Park outreach, 1:30 pm – 4 pm
Friday, November 3 & Saturday, November 4–Beaver Creek Cares
Sunday, November 5–Daylight Savings Ends; turn the clock back one hour!
Sunday, November 19–Stewardship Sunday
Sunday, November 26–Hanging of the Greens & Advent begins!
Announcements:
Service– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
This month’s spiritual discipline is service. Service starts with the right heart, not doing good deeds for recognition, but because we love God.
You have two challenges this month. First, sign up for at least one service project, either at the church or in the community, to be completed between now and the end of the year. Second, submit to pastor Ryan at least one service idea or impactful way we can make a difference in the community before the year is done.
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!
Chicken Barbeque
The next chicken barbeque will take place Saturday, October 28. If you are willing to help, please see Joe LaPrade. Many hands make light work!
Social Media
Beaver Creek has updated its social media page. Please follow and share so as many people can hear what is going on at Beaver Creek! You can find the pages as follows:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beavercreekchurchva/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekChurchVA/
Chili, Soup, & Dessert Cook-off and Council Meeting
Our next council meeting will occur on Sunday, October 22, after church. We will start with the chili, soup, and dessert cook-off. Then, we will have our meeting and announce the winners at the end. In the narthex and attached to this email are two proposed changes to our Constitution and Bylaws. Please read over them carefully!
More information will be coming soon on the air conditioning proposal. Please check your email later!
Beaver Creek Cares
Beaver Creek Cares will take place on Friday, November 3 & Saturday, November 4. We will meet for dinner at 6 pm on Friday, then have a Vespers service. The youth and friends will shop for Operation Christmas Child in the evening. We will gather Saturday morning for breakfast around 9 am, assemble the shoe boxes, sort and package the donations for Strength in Peers, assemble the gifts for our local teachers, assemble the exam kits for our college students, and clean up trash. At 2 pm we will gather at White Birch for bingo.
I have attached the list for donations for Strength in Peers. If you are unable to shop, please drop by donations for either Winnie or Diane, and they will go shopping on your behalf. Also, the index cards for exam kit items are available in the narthex.
Backpacks
Misti has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board to assist with the backpacks. If you are willing to help, please sign up this week!
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. Contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Phyllis Simmons (children’s story) if you want to serve.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH & NURSERY
Children’s Church will meet this Sunday, October 22.
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!
Sight & Sound Interest
The Fidelis class is looking at sponsoring a church-wide trip to Sight & Sound in 2024. But before the class can investigate bus prices and total cost, we want to gauge the true interest in the church. We have had several express interest and are trying to the best package for us as a church body. If you are interested and would like to be considered for this one-day event next year, please contact the office or let Pastor Ryan know in the next few weeks.
Four Ways to Give!
1) Mail your tithe to 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) Place 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
Keep Evy Kaye’s friend Mary Beth and Tami Plaugher’s friend Vicki as they both are wrestling with cancer.
Eddie Baker (health)
Terri Burkholder (health)
Norma Cunningham (recovery)
Deanne Dastoli (health)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
Bill Eckard (recovery)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Cora Henkel (COVID)
Bob Hess (health)
Reba Kline (recovery)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Christy Lazer (emergency surgery)
Ruth Luce (health)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Norlen Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (recovery)
Savannah Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Nancy Simmons (COVID)
Shelby Simmons (foot)
Roger Simmons (recovery)
Crystal Smith (health)
Norma Suter (recovery)
Kenny Wheelbarger (recovery from injury)
Whitmore family (house)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Cindy Wittig (health)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church