RECAP: WHAT IS YOUR TREASURE based on Matthew 6:19-24
Too often, we strive to meet our felt needs on our own. We often become stuck, trying to do anything we can to meet the need. Some needs are essential, like food, safety, security, etc. But do we trust God to take care of those needs? Jesus challenged us not to worry, to look at the sparrows and lilies, and to trust that if he could take care of them, he would take care of our needs. But do we trust God or try to solve things on our own? If we want to restore balance in our lives, we need to listen to Jesus’ counsel.
- Invest in the right treasure (6:19-21). Storing up treasures is not wrong within itself; however, what treasure are we investing in? It is futile to try to keep what we will lose (6:19). Things that belong to this earth do not last. We cannot take earthly treasures with us into eternity. Earthly pursuits will leave us dry, and only God will satisfy us. Instead, we need to live for the eternal, not the here and now (6:20). We do so by setting our minds on things above (Col 3:1) and by seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt 6:33). Our hearts and actions will reflect what we treasure (6:21). We show our commitment to God when we pursue him above all.
- Clear up your vision (6:22-23). The eye is the window to the soul. When someone looks deep into our eyes, they reveal what is in our hearts. Likewise, what we gaze at with our eyes also reflects our hearts. The simple truth is that our heart has a singular devotion. We can live in the light, a life lived within the kingdom of God (6:22), or in the darkness, a life lived according to the sinful flesh (6:23). We cannot live in both worlds simultaneously. Our lives are supposed to be a mirror that reflects Christ. Either we show Christ, or we show something else. If we engage in darkness, it deepens our separation from God. Don’t fall into the enemy’s lie: you cannot live in darkness and be in the light! That is the language of compromise, which leads to becoming lukewarm and spit out of God’s mouth! God is holy; sin is unholy. That which is unholy cannot dwell in the holy. If we try to live in two different worlds, living in the light and in the darkness simultaneously, we will end up like the visual on Sunday, stuck in the middle, going nowhere.
- Focus on One (6:24). No one can serve two masters. At the end of the day, we will have to make a choice and choose whom or what we love most. We will ultimately choose his way if we are truly devoted and dedicated to God. But if we are devoted to the things of the world, when push comes to shove, we will sacrifice our relationship with God for those things. We can’t live in both worlds or have two treasures.
Who is the true master of your heart? If it is God, live your life through the filter of that relationship. If we strive for any other master, at the end of the day, that is who we will follow.
Questions for Reflection
1) What would you say is your greatest treasure?
2) Do you find it easy or difficult to sacrifice for God? Why?
3) Are you living in the light or darkness?
4) What would others say about your faith?
5) How can you live your life through the filter of your relationship with God today?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, we will welcome the holiday season with our annual Hanging of the Greens service. Pastor Ryan will conclude the sermon series on the spiritual discipline of simplicity with the sermon titled, “What It is All About,” based on Galatians 4:4-7. What is the basic core of our faith? How can the holiday serve as a reminder of what is most important? Come or tune in on Sunday to find out.
Daily Bible Readings for November 21 – 27
November 21: Matthew 13:24-30 How does the parable speak to priorities?
November 22: Matthew 13:31-35 How do the parables speak to priorities?
November 23: Matthew 13:44-46 How do the parables speak to priorities?
November 24: Matthew 15:1-9 What should be our priority?
November 25: Matthew 18:1-5 What should be our priority?
November 26: Hebrews 1:1-4 Why is Jesus’ advent so important?
November 27: Romans 5:6-17 Why is Jesus’ advent so important?
This Week’s Events:
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26–office closed for the holiday
Sunday, November 26–Hanging of the Greens
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, December 2–Women’s Fellowship Christmas Auction @ 7 pm; Food @ 5:30 pm
Sunday, December 3–Christmas Carols & Message @ White Birch, 1:30 pm
Sunday, December 10–Christmas Caroling after church; soup/sandwich carry-in
Sunday, December 10–Church pizza and movie night, 5 pm
Sunday, December 24–Christmas Eve @ 11 pm
Announcements:
Simplicity– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
This month’s spiritual discipline is simplicity. Simplicity arises from minimizing any and all distractions that keep us from focusing on God.
Last week, you should have written down in addition to a daily list of events and the approximate time you spent on each one, your reasons why you spend time in that area. This week’s task: next to each item you listed, evaluate those reasons and activities in light of your faith. Write down one of these three phrases next to each entry: helps me grow closer to God, has no effect on my faith, or negatively impacts my faith. Then, write down some ideas on what changes can be made to help you grow in your faith in that area.
BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!
If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office with your birthday or leave a note in the offering plate. We don’t want to miss anyone.
Hanging of the Greens
We will have our seasonal Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday, November 26. Please bring:
–an ornament for the ornament exchange
–a finger food/dessert for the carry-in meal after church
–gloves, scarves, and mittens for the Mitten Tree
–fruit for the fruit baskets for our elderly friends
–money you would spend on sending Christmas Cards (for the Salvation Army)
–A Christmas Card for the whole church
–start collecting the perishables(reverse Advent) for the Stokesville Food Pantry
Social Media
Beaver Creek has updated its social media page. Please follow and share so many people can see what is happening at Beaver Creek! You can find the pages as follows:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beavercreekchurchva/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekChurchVA/
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, Phyllis Simmons (worship leading), or Joscelin Cooper (children’s story) if you want to serve.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH & NURSERY
Children’s Church WILL NOT meet this week. It will resume next Sunday, December 3.
Nursery
The Christian Education Team is looking for six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School and church hours. 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 expressions of interest and are trying to find the best package for us as a church body. If you want 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 in your prayers as she is wrestling with cancer.
Eddie Baker (health)
Joe Berry (health)
Terri Burkholder (health)
Norma Cunningham (recovery)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Bob Hess (health)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Christy Lazer (emergency surgery)
Ruth Luce (health)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Norlen Miller (hospital)
Mary G Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (recovery)
Savannah Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Also, keep Vickie’s family in your prayers as she passed away from her battle with cancer.
Ann Simmons (health)
Shelby Simmons (foot)
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