RECAP: WHY CELEBRATE? based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-20
Reminders are powerful tools. They assist us in remembering all that we need to do or accomplish, especially as things get busy, become stressful, or we grow weary and tired! Without reminders, we might let things fall through the cracks! The same is true spiritually; we need reminders when we are tired, busy, or stressed to keep us on the solid path so we don’t fall through the cracks!
The need for spiritual reminders is very important for a church under pressure. Although the Corinthian church did not face the same persecution pressure that other congregations did, the church did face internal pressure due to division and false teaching. It was a church that was arguing over matters of little importance, like which apostle is the most superior, whose baptism carried the most weight, and whose spiritual gift was the greatest. Paul instead encouraged the church to focus not on what divides, but on what we can share and celebrate together as a community of faith. They needed a reminder of what is most important and allow those reminders to drive the focus of their lives. What should we focus on? Why should we celebrate? What should we be reminded of?
1) We have salvation (15:1-2)! Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Jesus came to set this world free from the eternal consequences of sin. This was possible through the atonement, by the shedding of his blood on the cross, by living a sinless life, and by being a perfect sacrifice. We cannot earn salvation, but Jesus paved the way through himself. And for this, we have reason to celebrate!
2) We have unfailing Scriptures (15:3-4)! Jesus’ birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection are all prophesied in the Old Testament. Since every aspect of Jesus’ life fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament, then we too can stand on the Word. Every promise of God is true. We have an anchor, the very words of God to rely on. And for this, we can celebrate!
3) We are not alone (15:5-8)! Paul reminded the Corinthians of all of the eyewitness accounts of the resurrection. Some of those who witnessed it were spiritual leaders, but others were ordinary people! From this, we can take that we are part of a history of faith, with many in Christ who have gone before us. We are surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses of real people who had real struggles. We can take encouragement that we don’t have to walk our life of faith alone, but we have a team around us. Celebrate that!
4) We have grace (15:9-11)! None of us deserve grace, but rather judgment. Paul did not consider himself worthy to be an apostle because of his checkered past, yet God extended him grace and used him mightily. We have God’s unmerited favor and receive the gift of grace from him that we do not deserve. We have a fresh start, a new lease on life because of Jesus! We don’t have to be trapped by our past; rather, we can be defined by who Jesus makes us to be!
5) We have the hope of future resurrection (15:17-20)! Because Christ is raised from the dead, we have hope for the resurrection. To deny the resurrection leaves us without hope; our faith is in vain, futile, and we are to be pitied above all. But because Jesus was raised from the dead, he is the firstfruits, the promise guarantees that we who believe will also be raised on the last day.
These things are solid and worthy of celebration! Allow them to build your faith so you can stand no matter what comes. And when you are tired or under pressure, remind yourself of the hope in Christ!
Questions for Reflection
1) Do you remember your salvation experience? What have you been set free from?
2) What is your favorite promise in the Bible? Why does it have such meaning for you?
3) Who is a hero of faith to you? What are they like? How do they encourage you to draw closer to God?
4) How have you grown as a person of faith in the last few years?
5) If you were to die today, do you think you are ready to see Jesus? If not, what adjustments do you need to make?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will conclude the study in the discipline of celebration with the sermon titled, “Our Blessed Hope”, based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. What is the blessed hope? And how should we live in anticipation? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for April 25 – May 1
April 25: 2 Chronicles 30:1-27 How did Hezekiah celebrate the Passover?
April 26: Nehemiah 12:27-47 How did Israel celebrate the dedication of the new city wall?
April 27: Esther 9:18-32 How did Israel celebrate the feast of Purim?
April 28: Luke 17:11-18 How did a leper celebrate his healing?
April 29: Luke 18:25-43 How did a blind man celebrate his healing?
April 30: Romans 11:33-36 What was Paul’s celebration?
May 1: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 What caused Paul to celebrate?
This Week’s Events:
Friday, April 28–CRU benefit dinner @ 6:30 pm
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
Monday, May 1–Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, May 3–Outreach Team @ 7 pm
Sunday, May 7–First Sunday Breakfast & First Sunday Offering
Saturday, May 13–Mother/Daughter Banquet
Sunday, June 18–Graduation Recognition Sunday
Sunday, June 25–Outdoor Worship
Sunday, June 25–Summer Vespers @ 6 pm
Announcements:
Celebration– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
Celebration is very important for our spiritual health. This week, celebrate your salvation experience. Spend time reflecting on how Jesus delivered you. Share that good news with at least one other person who does not know Jesus!
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
A special thank you to the Crestmen and Cyzick family for the benefit concert Saturday. A huge thank you to Mary Miller for organizing, to Francesco’s for donating a large amount of food, to Anita’s for the donation of the cake, and to the Fellowship Team and friends for the rest of the food. In total $3,335 dollars was raised for Emma and for Savannah!
New Bible Study!
During the Summer months of June, July, and August, we will be doing a new study based on Jennie Allen’s book “Get Out of Your Head.” Do you want to recognize the toxic spirals in your life that leave you feeling far away from God? Do you want to be equipped in how to win the battle in your mind and draw closer to Christ? Then this short study will be good for you!
We are still working on the details as far as time. If you are interested in possibly joining this study, please either call the office, or let Lynne Lent or Bill Wood know so we have an idea of how many books to order. Child care will be provided.
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 & Meeting
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.
There will be a meeting after church for interested volunteers on Sunday, April 30. This will be an opportunity to share thoughts and ideas, as well as to hear from the Christian Education Team the hope for children’s church.
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. 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.
Graduation Party Invitation
On Saturday, May 27 we will celebrate Samantha Cooper’s graduation from high school. The whole church is invited! The party will take place from 11 am – 2 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP to Pastor Ryan for food purposes.
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 & recovery)
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
