RECAP: BEFORE THE THRONE based on Revelation 5:1-14
Can you imagine what heaven will be like? Can you imagine all of the angels, and faithful individuals from all history and time all across the globe singing praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? We get glimpses of what heaven will look like in the book of Revelation. When written, the book served as a reminder to the people who were facing harsh persecution that there was something to look forward to. We too can look forward to the promise of heaven; however, we can still experience heavenly worship now! We can since we believe in and follow God, experience a little bit of heaven on earth in our worship. How can we engage in heavenly worship?
1) Recognize our true place–have a spirit of humility. We are all sinners saved by grace. Not a single one of us is worthy to unseal the scroll. That is a place only reserved for Jesus himself! Too often we try to do Jesus’ job, longing for his justice upon the earth to make all things right. But our place is to recognize who we are, to strive to live for him, and to bring others to the feet of the only one who can set humanity free and do something about our world!
2) Weep before the Lord. John wept because he wanted God to move in his time, liberate all who were under the thumb of oppression, and heal his land. He saw the need, recognizing that if God does not do something, humanity would be completely lost. His heart was broken and contrite, for he recognized his own limitations. Are we concerned about the lost in our day and cry over them?
3) Honor the Lamb that was slain. All the heavenly creatures, when they saw the Lamb of God who was slain, the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, they rejoiced, for they not only knew his worthiness, but the one to whom the whole earth answered was present in their midst! They honored him and worshiped him with their lives and faithfulness. We too can honor the Lamb and his sacrifice by embodying his wishes and carrying on his legacy and teaching. Can the world tell we follow Jesus by our living? If Jesus would return, would he recognize our faithfulness in how we live?
4) Join the triumphant song. A large song broke out in heaven when the Lamb took the scroll. It says that all beings above the earth, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them will sing out to God. Imagine singing in a choir with Abraham, Moses, David, and Paul! All will recognize Jesus for who he is. But we can live and join the song now, before heaven, praising God every opportunity we can in our lives!
5) Fall down before the Lord. All the heavenly creatures on multiple occasions fell down before the Lord in worship. We too can fall down before the Lord, laying ourselves down as a sacrifice in surrender and lifting up his name.
We will worship in these five ways. We can do so later when we realize the time has come, or we can choose to do so now. Let us worship our God and keep our eyes heavenward, for no matter what happens, Jesus reigns!
Questions for Reflection
1) Do you allow God to direct your life, or do you face the temptation to seize control? How can you release it?
2) Who do you care about their eternal destination? Can you pray for them and bring them to Jesus?
3) Does your living match your faith in Jesus? If not, what changes to your lifestyle do you need to make?
4) What do you need to surrender to God?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will begin the study in the disciplines of prayer and fasting with the sermon titled, “Persistence and Focus”, based on Luke 11:1-13. Why is it important to be persistent in our prayers? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for January 31 – February 6
January 31: Psalm 121 Why should we worship the Lord?
February 1: Psalm 118 How should we worship the Lord? Why?
February 2: Psalm 116 How should we worship the Lord? Why?
February 3: Psalm 113 Why should we worship the Lord?
February 4: Psalm 112 Why should we worship the Lord?
February 5: Genesis 18:16-33 What was Abraham’s persistent prayer?
February 6: Exodus 32:1-14 What was Moses’ persistent prayer?
This Week’s Events:
Sunday, February 5–Congregational Business Meeting after church w/soup & sandwich meal provided by Women’s Fellowship
Sunday, February 5–First Sunday Breakfast & Offering–Open Doors
Sunday, February 5–Worship Team briefly after CBM
Monday, February 6–Timothy Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, February 15–Ministry Team @ 7 pm
Thursday, February 16–Leadership Team @ 7 pm
Sunday, February 26–Birthday dinner
Announcements:
Worship / Spiritual Discipline Challenge
This week’s challenge: write down two lists. On the first list, write down all of your personal accomplishments that you can remember. On the second list, write down your greatest concerns at this time, both personal and as you relate to your world. Then, every day, lift up to God in prayer those matters on your concerns list, asking God to intervene. Also symbolically, release your accomplishments to God and symbolically lay them down before God, confessing our own unworthiness and embracing the worthiness of God. These spiritual exercises will help you release to God all control, asking him to move in your midst!
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).
CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS MEETING
We will have our next congregational business meeting on Sunday, February 5. The Women’s Fellowship will provide a soup and sandwich lunch for donation. Packets are available in the back of the church.
BIRTHDAY DINNER
On Sunday, February 26, we will have our annual birthday dinner carry-in after church. If you would like to make a cake for a month, please sign up in the narthex! We still need volunteers for 10 cakes.
Directory
Today is the last day to make changes to the directory. If you have any changes, please call the office later today!
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 volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour and church hour. There will be a sign up 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 sign up sheet!
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
Pray for several in our congregation who are battling either COVID or the flu.
Sandy Bennington (peace)
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)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Norlen Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (health)
Savannah Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Whitmore family (house)
Grayson Whitmore (recovery)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Charles Wright family (passing of Owen Wright)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church