Friday, January 31, 2014

Run Away

If I were to ask you to give me some characteristics of someone who is brave, what would they be? Probably some of your answers would consist of fearless, strong, bold, courageous, and I am sure the list could go on. When I think of someone brave I naturally think of someone willing to run toward danger.  But what about a person who runs away from it?  That kind of person would be called a coward. And often this is true but sometimes running away is not only the best thing but the only thing you can do. If you look at Proverbs 5:8, 1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22 you will see that these passages along with many other passages say that we are to run from anything impure and unwholesome.

When it comes to sin, God’s plan for you is to run as far from it as you can possibly get. In Genesis 29:1-12 we see the story of Joseph, a man with an incredible story. God takes a bad situation and does amazing things with Joseph’s life.   In chapter 29 we find Joseph being tempted by Potiphar’s wife and if you know the story you know that this temptation was not fleeting but was persistent. Potiphar’s wife would not take no for an answer.  She kept on and on until the point where Joseph had to make a choice. His choice was to either give in or run away, there were no other options. Joseph chose to run away.  For Joseph running away was not the easiest choice. His decision to run came with a price.  He was thrown into jail. But what I love about his story was that he was more concerned with doing what was right than he was with the price.

As great as this story is, the Bible is full of many about people who should of ran but did not. For example Samson, David, or even Solomon, all amazing men with incredible abilities and talents who chose to stay instead of run paid a price for their choices. The truth is the only way to truly defeat sin is to stay as far away from it as possible, which is not easy. Joseph so wanted away from the sin that was in front of him that he was willing to run down the street naked.  So the question I have for you today is what is it in your life that you need to run away from no matter the price.

Running away may not seem like the brave or courageous thing to do but when you run what you are doing is admitting weakness. Sin makes you weak and today God is calling you to run to run as far and as fast as you can from what makes you weak to the only one who can make you strong.  If Samson the strongest man in the world couldn’t defeat sin, if David a man after God’s own heart couldn’t defeat sin, or if Solomon the wisest man in the world couldn’t defeat sin, do you really think you stand a chance? Today is the day to flee from what is making you weak. So the question is are you ready?                                        

Brad Snipes, Middle School Youth Pastor

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Community News 1/29/14


Wednesday, January 29th

Due to inclement weather, 
midweek worship for tonight has been CANCELLED 
   
Community Prayer Meeting for Bethany Cobb tomorrow night!
There will be a prayer meeting for Bethany Cobb tomorrow night at 7:30 PM in the worship center.  Bethany is in Maryland undergoing treatments for cancer.  Starting this Thursday night or Friday she will begin receiving infusions.  This is a very critical time for Bethany and needs a touch of God's healing power.

40 Days of Experiencing Jesus Breakfast this Saturday!
We are excited to announce that on this Saturday, February 1st we will begin "40 Days of Experiencing Jesus, Life in the Power of His Name."  Join us for breakfast this Saturday at 7:30 AM in the worship center as we start this journey together.  During the 40 days Todd will be teaching on Sundays and Wednesdays from the book of John.  Let's experience Jesus together as we live our lives in His power.


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Community News 1/28/14




Midweek Worship Tomorrow Night!  
Join us for snacks at 6 and then worship at 6:30 PM.  Marty Burgess will be speaking and then our own people will be sharing stories about ministries.

Community Prayer Meeting for Bethany Cobb!
There will be a prayer meeting for Bethany Cobb this Thursday evening at 7:30 PM in the worship center.  Bethany is in Maryland undergoing treatments for cancer.  Starting this Thursday night or Friday she will begin receiving infusions.  This is a very critical time for Bethany and needs a touch of God's healing power.

40 Days of Experiencing Jesus! 
We are excited to announce that on this Saturday, February 1st we will begin "40 Days of Experiencing Jesus, Life in the Power of His Name."  Join us for breakfast this Saturday at 7:30 AM in the worship center as we start this journey together.  During the 40 days Todd will be teaching on Sundays and Wednesdays from the book of John.  Let's experience Jesus together as we live our lives in His power.

Blood Drive!
Save a life by donating your blood.  The blood mobile will be here next Monday, February 3rd. Come to the blue room from 2-6:30 PM.  To schedule your appointment call Paula Piercy at 553-1272.  There is a sign up sheet in the back of the worship center.

Super Bowl Party!
Calling all middle school and high school students!  Come to The Turf from 3-9 PM this Sunday, February 2nd.  Socialize before the game starts or play flag football.  Cost is only 10 dollars and food will be provided. 

IF Gathering!
Ladies, we invite you to gather from 3:30-9:30 PM on Friday, February 7th and from 9 AM-6 PM on Saturday, February 8th in the blue room to wrestle with essential questions that plague our generation.  We exist to gather, equip, and unleash the next generation of women to live out their purpose.  Friday night there will be a potluck dinner and no childcare will be provided.  If you would like more information or details contact Heather Schlender at hstonearch@gmail.com or visit www.ifgathering.com.  

Preschool Ministry
What do you think of when you hear "Tour of Duty"?  Honor, commitment, service, sacrifice, loved ones, far away places, or even the battlefield.  Here in the preschool ministry of BCC that is what we are all about!  Honor and commitment to our Father God and the work he has called us to do!  If you are a member of BCC and are interested in joining us on our mission field right here at home for a six month "tour of duty" call (828) 884-5932 or email Tracy Pace at tracy@brevardcommunity.org.  




Friday, January 24, 2014

Refocusing in the Digital Age

How many of you know what a selfie is?  A selfie is a photo you take of yourself and post to Instagram or Facebook.  With most people owning a smart phone, a selfie is an easy way to express yourself to the world. You have full control of how you look or appear on the screen. A selfie expresses a person’s feelings, tells your friends what you are doing, and shares with others where you are at the moment. It seems there is an obsession with expressing yourself to the world. There are all kinds of categories for the selfie. There is the gym selfie where people take a picture of themselves working out.  There is also the pet selfie where people take a picture of themselves with their pets. A popular one is the car selfie where people take a picture of themselves in the car, hopefully stopped at a light. We like ourselves a lot, and more importantly, we like to be in control of how others see us.  Is this healthy?
The first thing that made me think of this was a recent talk I heard from a speaker named Christine Caine. She expressed to a group around the age of 20 that God desires to use us  for His good. However, it is very difficult to hear His voice when our own voice is drowning God’s voice out in our lives.  She said that God needs time to develop us. Unfortunately, being a generation of instant gratification, we want it now.  
I stumbled across two quotes I had written several years ago in my journal that also made me think about this.  The first quote: “When a man is wrapped up in himself, he makes a pretty small package.” This quote is by
 John Ruskin. This quote makes perfect sense but it is so hard to live by. We all, young and old, spend our lives trying to make an impact. Most of our effort is focused on becoming better.  Jeremiah 18:4 says, “And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.”  All of our work to become something is in vain if it goes against God. God will do with our lives as he pleases, and that is a tough fact to swallow. We are all spoiled clay but God still wants us and is reworking us, which is beautiful. 
The second quote I stumbled upon: “For every one look within, take ten looks at Christ.”  This quote is by Robert Murray M’Cheyne.  We are all consumed with ourselves. For most of us, the world revolves around us. We spend so much of our time and energy looking within. However, we were not designed to do that. When we look at Jesus it exposes us. It hurts to look at Jesus because our sin and filth is revealed. We must look upon Jesus in order to bring salvation and sanctification to our lives. Think about how your life would be if you replaced thoughts about yourself with Jesus. How would your life change if you thought about Jesus more in the day than your needs?  Hebrews 12:2 says “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”  When we look at Jesus we see what He has done for us. He endured the cross, took on our shame, and overcame death. When I view this, it humbles me and motivates me to tell others about Him. As Christ followers, we are promoters not of ourselves but of Jesus Christ.  In the age of selfies, let us be patient, yield our lives to God, and allow Him to mold us into who He wants us to be.  Also, let us be a mirror that reflects Jesus Christ by the way we live and act in the community around us.
Humbly In Christ,
Marty Burgess 
College Pastor

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Community News 1/21/14


Ordination Worship Tomorrow Night!
Our elders and pastors, would like to invite our BCC family to join with us as we ordain Shannon Compton into the gospel ministry tomorrow night.  Snacks will be at 6 PM and worship at 6:30 PM.  This will be a time where Shannon will be challenged from scripture of his calling into full time Christian ministry.  Shannon will share his testimony of why God is calling him into full time ministry.  We will end the night with our elders praying for Shannon to be faithful to the gospel.  We look forward to celebrating with Shannon this special time.  

40 Days of Experiencing Jesus!
We are excited to announce that on February 1st we will begin "40 Days of Experiencing Jesus, Life in the Power of His Name."  Join us for breakfast on Saturday, February 1st at 7:30 AM in the worship center as we start this journey together.  During the 40 days Todd will be teaching on Sundays and Wednesdays from the book of John.  Let's experience Jesus together as we live our lives in His power. 

Blood Drive! 
Save a life by donating your blood!  The blood mobile will be here Monday, February 3rd.  Come to the blue room from 2-6:30 PM.  To schedule your appointment call 553-1272.  There is a sign up sheet in the back of the worship center.

Super Bowl Party!
Calling all middle school and high school students!  Come to The Turf from 3-9 PM on Sunday, February 2nd.  Socialize before the game starts or play flag football.  Cost is only 10 dollars and food will be provided.  

IF Gathering!     
Ladies, we invite you to gather from 3:30-9:30 PM on Friday, February 7th and from 9 AM-6 PM on Saturday, February 8th in the blue room to wrestle with essential questions that plague our generation.  We exist to gather, equip and unleash the next generation of women to live our their purpose.  If you would like more information or details contact Heather Schlender at hstonearch@gmail.com or visit www.ifgathering.com.  

Chauffeur Needed!
Chris Schlender is on the lookout for someone to help pilot kids to and from church on Sunday afternoons.  If you are interested in helping please contact Chris through email chris@brevardcommunity.org.  If you are able to help once a month or every other week that would great!


Friday, January 17, 2014

From Circumstantial Worship to Continual Worship

The act of consciously worshiping God only at certain times and places is Circumstantial Worship.

We are in a religious culture of Circumstantial Worship. This is what I mean…

Most of us in the church today would call worship the 4 songs prior to the pastor preaching a sermon. That is only very partially right.  If that is our only view of worship, then we are guilty of engaging in circumstantial worship.

Please don’t misunderstand. As a worship pastor, worship through song is one of my favorite things to do. There is something truly special about singing songs of praise and worship alongside other believers. However God has so much more in mind for us when it comes to worship.

Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.

Paul is saying a lot here, and we could spend much more time than this blog allows with this verse, but I want us to focus our attention on the last couple of phrases. There, Paul is urging people to worship with all of their spirit, by doing what? By presenting their “bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”

What does this mean for us? Moving past the disturbing and wildly radical fact that Paul is asking us slay ourselves by using the word “sacrifice,” he also qualifies this wild request with three things. The sacrifice must be living, it must be holy, and it must be acceptable to God. You see when an animal sacrifice was offered in Paul’s time, it was alive when it was offered but died because of the offering. We may not have been there, however we all pretty much know that is how sacrifices work, right? But Paul is unveiling for the believers of Rome (and us all) a better more joyous way to live; to live in continual worship.

You see, Paul can speak of believers as dying to sin as he does in Romans 6:2, but his emphasis here is on the glorious life that believers all now live with and in Christ (Romans 6:8). Apart from Christ our worship may be sacrificial even to the point of sacrificing our lives, but it won’t be living, it certainly won’t be holy and because of this it won’t be pleasing to God. Apart from Christ we are dead in our sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1), however if we are in Christ we are “alive from the dead,” (Romans 6:13) because Christ sacrificed His life and took our death. Therefore, in gratitude we give our new lives, made holy and pleasing to God through what Jesus has done on the cross, to God continually, moment by moment, thought by thought, action by action. This is the spiritual act of worship that we have been charged with as believers. True Biblical worship, then, is living a grateful and joyously devoted life to God because of what He has done in Christ.

This is huge. The worship that God is after in us, continual worship, is not once or twice a week for 4 songs. He wants our lives, specifically our newly bought lives, paid for and made holy by the precious blood of Jesus. Therefore, worship isn’t what you do on Sundays with voices raised, but your thoughts and actions Monday through Sunday. This is what continual worship is and I know it is God’s desire to move us at BCC from being circumstantial worshipers to continual worshipers. It is my prayer that God works in our hearts to make us more like His precious Son.

In our precious Savior Jesus,
Brett Best
Worship Pastor
Brevard Community Church


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Community News 1/14/14


No Midweek Worship Tomorrow Night!
The volunteer appreciation dinner will be tomorrow night in the worship center starting at 6 PM.  The dinner will be served to BCC's volunteers. 

Mom to Mom!
Calling all mothers for an evening of fellowship, inspiration, and parenting encouragement!  The next Mom to Mom will be held in the blue room this Thursday, January 16 from 7 to 8:30 PM.  

Starting Point Class!
Starting this Sunday, January 19th a six-week class will be held during first worship in the brown house led by Shannon Compton.  If you are curious about following Jesus Christ, new to Brevard Community Church, or interested in connecting deeper, join us for Starting Point.

Office Closed Next Monday!
In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day the office will be closed next Monday, January  20th.

Ordination Worship!
Our elders and pastors, would like to invite our BCC family to join with us as we ordain Shannon Compton into the gospel ministry next Wednesday, January 22nd at 6:30 PM.   This will be a time where Shannon will be challenged from scripture of his calling into full time Christian ministry.  Shannon will share his testimony of why God is calling him into full time ministry.  We will end the night with our elders praying for Shannon to be faithful to the gospel.  We look forward to celebrating with Shannon this special time.

40 Days of Experiencing Jesus!
We are excited to announce that on February 1st we will begin “40 Days of Experiencing Jesus, Life in the Power of His Name.”  During the 40 days Todd will be teaching on Sundays and Wednesdays from the book of John.  Join us and let’s experience Jesus together as we live our lives in His Power.  

Chauffeur Needed!
Chris Schlender is on the lookout for someone to help pilot kids to and from church on Sunday afternoons.  If you are interested, please contact him through email. Chris chris@brevardcommunity.org

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Community News 1/7/14


Midweek Worship Tomorrow Night!
Join us for snacks at 6 and then worship at 6:30 PM.  Our own people will be sharing encouraging stories about life groups.

Worship Memorial for Desiree Perry's Mother
There will be a worship memorial here at Brevard Community Church for Anna Dowling this Saturday on the 11th.  Family visitation will be at 10 AM and the worship memorial will begin at 11 AM.  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  www.stjude.org

101 Membership Class Coming Up!
Interested in becoming a member of Brevard Community Church?  Join us for our Discovering Membership class this coming Sunday, January 12th at 12:30 PM.  Lunch and childcare will be provided.

Starting Point Class!
Starting on January 19th a six-week class will be held during first worship in the brown house led by Shannon Compton.  If you are curious about following Jesus Christ, new to Brevard Community Church, or interested in connecting deeper, join us for Starting Point.

Mom to Mom!
Calling all mothers for an evening of fellowship, inspiration, and parenting encouragement!  The next Mom to Mom will be held in the Blue room on Thursday, January 16th from 7 to 8:30 PM.

Chauffeur and Handyman Needed!
Chris Schlender is on the lookout for someone to help pilot kids to and from church on Sunday afternoons.  Also, Kidz Zone needs a handyman for small repair work.  If you are interested, please contact Chris chris@brevardcommunity.org

Friday, January 3, 2014

Righteousness

Righteousness

This is a hard word to teach kids! Take a moment and think about how you would define this word so a seven year old could understand it. 

It is a big word with big meaning, and doesn't have many words that rhyme with it easily - all reasons you won't find it in many kids' Sunday school songs. You might have said to yourself, "I wouldn't try to define that word for a kid, it is too complicated." In my own experience I have run into many dead ends when trying to explain this word and concept to children. It seems their attention span runs out quicker than my explanation! 

I often pose difficult questions in the framework I just gave you. The thought in my mind is that if I can explain something to a child, then I can explain it to anyone. When explaining things to kids it is important to boil a thing down to it's most important pieces in order to deliver it in the most concise manner. 

You might not think that the book of Romans is concise; rather, the word detailed might come to mind, maybe even methodical. But I am beginning to believe that it was Paul's intention was to explain righteousness in the most concise and profound way he could. At the end of the book, one should be thoroughly informed on this concept, and for good reason.

Righteousness is something I think most humans desire, and is bestowed or claimed because the beholder has met a standard. There are many standards offered throughout the world, most notably, the standard presented in the 10 commandments. Righteousness is worthy of our consideration because I think in some way everyone is already thinking about it and pursuing it. But Paul is making the carefully crafted case that we will not find righteousness in anything other than faith in Christ. It can not be bestowed or claimed by anything or anyone Earthly. 

Moreover, righteousness is the only thing that can deliver us from perishing apart from God. It is at the core of our status before God, and the need Jesus came to fulfill.  Hopefully that truth pushes the need to understand and explain righteousness to the forefront of our minds. The next time I have a chance to explain righteousness to a child, I would like to say that it is like a fine robe that we need to enter into Heaven one day, and Jesus' will let us wear His if we ask him.

In His Steps,

Chris Schlender 
Children's Pastor