SERMON RECAP: UNITY IN THE BODY based on Philippians 4:1-3

Last week’s midterm election served as a reminder of a truth we have come to know–we are a deeply divided people. Jesus said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Unfortunately, that division has made its way even into the church. There is nothing that Satan wants more than the church to attack each other and diminish its witness for Jesus instead of uniting together to shine the light of Christ and expel the darkness.

In this passage of Philippians, Paul addresses a conflict that is threatening the unity of the church. What was Paul’s counsel to address the situation? And how can we find unity as a body?

1. Stand firm in the Lord (Phil 4:1). Paul encouraged the church to stand firm, steketein Greek, in the Lord. This term means to be stationary or immovable, remaining sure-footed no matter what obstacle comes along your path. Our anchor point as a body of faith is in the Lord Jesus himself. We accomplish this through having a mutual focus on the prize for which Christ has called us heavenward (Phil 3:12-14), by seeking God’s voice together as an act of spiritual maturity through prayer (Phil 3:15-16), and through centering our minds on the spiritual instead of what is on this earth (Phil 3:17-21). Therefore, as the body of Christ, we should discern the Spirit’s leading together, pray together, and elevate Christ above any personal agendas. We will be much stronger as a body and much more one if we make Christ truly the head of the church!

2. Seek mutual agreement (Phil 4:2). How does one find agreement? Sometimes, we have to yield, to remember that we are on the same team and refocus on what we are fighting for. We have to be on the same playbook! Thankfully, God has given us the playbook, the Bible, to follow. Instead of focusing our attention on what we disagree about, focus our attention on Jesus and His Word. Sometimes, that means we have to challenge one another, like Paul challenged Euodia and Syntyche. Sometimes that means bringing in someone who can see clearly and help us refocus on what is most important. But above all, return to the Lord as our standard. We need to return to true worship, where we elevate Jesus and bow down under His lordship.

3. We are to help one another (Phil 4:3). We are loyal yokefellow, or zygos. Like oxen who are yoked together must work in tandem for the task to be accomplished, we too must work together as one to see Jesus’ name shared in our community. We need to rally around a central point–contending for the cause of the gospel! Remember, we are part of a greater witness to the world. Are we displaying Christ, or are we sharing a message that Christ is divided? Even when we have personality conflicts, we need to remember that if we follow Jesus, our names are in the book of life. Instead of trying to win at the expense of the other, we should help each other achieve a deeper walk with Jesus. Imagine what a witness we can be to this divided society if we set aside our differences, work together, and work as one!

Reflection Questions

1. Why is division damaging to the body of faith?

2. Why is it important to commit to pray together?

3. Why is it important to be in the Word together?

4. Why does the enemy want a divided church?

5. How can we as Beaver Creek strengthen our bonds of unity?

Upcoming Service

This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the series on Philippians with the sermon titled “Right Disposition” based on Philippians 4:4-9. Why is our attitude everything? What should we focus on? Come by or tune in on Sunday to find out!

Daily Bible Readings for November 10 – 16

November 10: Proverbs 10 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 11: Proverbs 11 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 12: Proverbs 12 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 13: Proverbs 13 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 14: Proverbs 14 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 15: Proverbs 15 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 16: Proverbs 16 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

This Week’s  Events:

November 15 – Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Dedication

November 16 – Revelation Bible Study @ 7 pm

Upcoming Events:

November 19 – Leadership Team Meeting @ 7 pm

November 20 – Game Night @ 6 pm – Please RSVP!

November 29 – Hanging of the Greens

December 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 28-30 – Winter VBS

VERSE OF THE MONTH!

Every month, we will feature a verse. The goal is for the entire church to learn this verse for the month, so we grow in our memorized Bible knowledge. The verse for November is Philippians 4:6:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Announcements:

Board Game Night

The Fellowship Team is sponsoring a Board Game Night on Friday, November 20 beginning at 6 pm with a catered meal from Brothers Italian Restaurant. If you are planning to attend, please sign up in the lobby or email the church office to be included in the count. We need an RSVP ideally by November 14 to place the order. Please see the attached flyer!

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/

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!

Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church

Due to Pastor Ryan being out of the office, the summary will come at a later time.

Daily Bible Readings for November 3 – 9

November 3: Proverbs 3 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 4: Proverbs 4 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 5: Proverbs 5 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 6: Proverbs 6 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 7: Proverbs 7 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 8: Proverbs 8 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

November 9: Proverbs 9 What is one thing you learned you did not know before?

This Week’s  Events:

November 6 – Operation Christmas Child shopping @ 4 pm, Walmart

November 7 – Beaver Creek Cares @ 9 am

November 8 – Church Life Team (Worship/Fellowship) meeting after church

November 9 – Revelation Bible Study @ 7 pm

Upcoming Events:

November 19 – Leadership Team Meeting @ 7 pm

November 20 – Game Night @ 6 pm – Please RSVP!

November 29 – Hanging of the Greens

December 24 – Christmas Eve Candelight Service

December 28-30 – Winter VBS

VERSE OF THE MONTH!

Every month, we will feature a verse. The goal is for the entire church to learn this verse for the month, so we grow in our memorized Bible knowledge. The verse for November is Philippians 4:6:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Announcements:

Beaver Creek Cares

Beaver Creek Cares will take place on Saturday, November 7. In addition to Strength and Peers, Operation Christmas Child shoebox assembly, and Bingo at White Birch, we will collect Thanksgiving-themed items for the food pantries this year and sort them for delivery. These are the types of items we desire to collect: boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, cans of green beans, cans of corn, cans of yams/sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, jars of gravy, cake/brownie/cookie mix, Velveeta mac and cheese (no milk needed), vegetable oil, sugar, flour, applesauce, canned pumpkin, chicken or vegetable broth, cornbread or corn muffin mix.

The weekend begins Friday, November 6. This year, since our youth are fewer in number, we are asking as many in the congregation as possible who are willing to help with shoebox shopping to meet at Walmart at 4:00 pm to shop as a group for Operation Christmas Child. Then, we will gather on Saturday, November 7 at 9 am to pack the shoeboxes and pack up the boxes for Strength in Peers and the food pantries. Bingo will be at White Birch at 2 pm.

Board Game Night

The Fellowship Team is sponsoring a Board Game Night on Friday, November 20 beginning at 6 pm with a catered meal from Brothers Italian Restaurant. If you are planning to attend, please sign up in the lobby or email the church office to be included in the count. We need an RSVP ideally by November 14 to place the order.

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/

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! 

Pastor Ryan Cooper

Beaver Creek Church