RECAP–BELIEVE! based on Luke 24:13-35 and FOLLOW ME! based on John 21:15-19
Cleopas and one other unnamed disciple really struggled on resurrection day. They heard the report of the women that Jesus has risen. Instead of taking comfort, they rejected the report in part because of the views of women in that day, but also because they were so consumed by their grief. Instead of following the lead of Peter and the Eleven, they went the opposite direction to Emmaus–7 miles away.
While on the journey, Jesus came and dialogued with them. They could not recognize him because of their grief. But by the end of the conversation, and the breaking of bread, they realized they had encountered the resurrected Lord. Their hearts began to burn within them and they believed the good news. That belief changed everything!
Do we believe the good news? Do we live as if we believe?
A few days later, Peter and his companions decided it was time to go fishing. Fishing represented Peter’s past, what he was most comfortable with. In many ways, he was trying to escape the reality of his failure. He had boasted he would never desert Jesus, but when the pressure was on, he denied him three times and wasn’t even present for the cross. Now he had twice seen the resurrected Lord, with each appearance serving as a reminder of his failure. Now he was fishing, and like in days of old, he caught nothing. It wasn’t until Jesus appeared, just like at the initial call, that the fish came again, and Peter was left to confront himself about what Jesus meant to him.
How do we live in light of the resurrection? How do we live a resurrection life, even when we fail?
1) Is our love for God greater than others? Three times Jesus asked, ‘Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?” The first time, Jesus compared it to Peter’s comforts–fishing, the boat, the lake, etc. But the core of the question Jesus asked Peter and asks us today is if we truly love. Is Jesus our greatest love? Or do we have other things we love more than God? When there is a competition of affections, we will always favor the one we love most.
2) Develop a deep relationship with God. Jesus knew the answer to Peter’s love, and Peter knew that Jesus knew. But the questions and the responses brought hurt and sorrow because it was a question of relationship. How deeply do we know Jesus? Is he something we just know because we have always known? Is he someone that has always been a part of our lives? Or do we truly know his heartbeat?
3) Put our faith into action. Three times Jesus also instructed Peter to take care of the sheep or lambs. Jesus is the good shepherd; the sheep are all the people of God, both those in the faith community and those who will someday hopefully become a part of the faith community. Peter’s task is the same for us today–we are to provide spiritual nourishment and bring others to the shepherd. We show how deep our relationship with God is and our love for him by sharing him with others, even if we are alone.
4) Be willing to sacrifice. Peter was then asked to sacrifice his very life for the love of Jesus. We will only sacrifice that which we are truly committed to. Jesus gave his all for us. Can we give our all for him?
What will we do with the resurrection? Will we believe the good news? Will we deepen our love for God, grow in our relationship with him, put our faith into action, and sacrifice for God? Or will it simply be another story we only tell once a year?
Questions for reflection
1) How much do you love God? Are there things in your life that compete for his affection?
2) Are you actively deepening your relationship with God?
3) Who do you know who could use the good news of Jesus?
4) What can you sacrifice for Jesus?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday Pastor Ryan begins the Favorite Hymn Series with our #11 choice, His Eye is On the Sparrow. The sermon will be titled, “I Know He Watches Me,” based on Matthew 6:25-34 and 10:28-32. How much does God love and care for us? Come or tune in Sunday to find out.
Daily Bible Readings for April 6 – 12
April 6: Romans 13:8-14 In what ways can we follow Jesus in our living?
April 7: Romans 14:1-18 In what ways can we follow Jesus in our living?
April 8: Romans 14:19-23 In what ways can we follow Jesus in our living?
April 9: Romans 15:1-13 In what ways can we follow Jesus in our living?
April 10: Ephesians 4:17-32 In what ways can we follow Jesus in our living?
April 11: Genesis 16:1-16 How did God show he cared for Hagar at her point of need?
April 12: Genesis 28:10-22 How did God show he cared for Jacob at his point of need?
This Week’s Events:
Tuesday, April 6–Women’s Fellowship @ 7:30 AM
Wednesday, April 7–Worship Team @ 7:30 PM
Thursday, April 8–Leadership Team @ 7 PM; Chair, Chair-Elect & Pastor Ryan meet @ 6 PM
Saturday, April 10 – Sunday, April 11–Remote Area Medical Clinic @ Fairgrounds
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, April 24–Virtual Spring Festival for Brethren Woods
Saturday, May 1–SNL event @ Brethren Woods from 2 PM – 5 PM; more information to come soon
Friday, May 21 & Saturday, May 22–Disaster Auction **UPDATE COMING SOON
Announcements:
OFFICE HOUR CHANGES THIS WEEK:
The church office will be open Wednesday instead of Thursday to allow for Pastor Ryan to have his second dose of the COVID vaccine.
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
As we look at the ability to reopen in the coming weeks, we are in need of both worship leaders and children’s story. We are looking for one person each week, rather than a month at a time. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Tammy Stine (children’s story).
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) Restoration of the national church
7) Revival
Hymn Series
Thank you to all who have submitted hymns. The top 11 (one bonus hymn!) have been set, and we will begin to reveal them one at a time starting with number 11 beginning on April 11, the week after Easter.
Nursery
Misti Wheelbarger is looking for volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour for next year. If you are willing to help, even if it is just for a Sunday, please reach out to her and let her know.
Outreach for the Remote Area Medical Clinic
There will be at the Fairgrounds on April 10th and 11th a clinic offering both medical and dental services for those in our area without medical insurance or who cannot afford to pay for the services. It is a great way to bless our greater community. UPDATE: Thank you to all who have donated! I think we are still looking for donations of full-sized candy bars. If you have any, please contact the office no later than tomorrow (Wednesday).
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 at the main entrance as you enter for church
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)
Brunk Family (passing of Golden)
Sam Carr (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
John Fix (hospitalized)
Janet Good (health)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Shannon Hollen (health)
Shirley Holland (health)
Heath Kimmell (health)
Garry Kline (COVID recovery)
Lent family (work)
Ella Makely (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Diane Miller (health)
Mark Milstead (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Evy Kaye Sandin (health)
Chris Shirk (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Charles Wright (health)
Owen Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek COB