We're selfish, prideful, inconsiderate, greedy, unmerciful... not because we're evil, but simply because we want to win.

So, is winning wrong? Of course not.

But we often spend our lives pursuing a victory that's only temporary. In response to this, Jesus offers a revolutionary consideration about the nature of true victory:

The sweetness of victory that we desire is hidden in the bitterness of suffering that we avoid.

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” 

Interestingly enough, the type of glory that Jesus had in mind would completely change our understanding of victory, once and for all.

Serving others is the most practical demonstration of love, and therefore, it is expected of all who claim to be disciples. That being said, in every church setting there seems to always be a constant need for volunteers to step up and serve. Unfortunately, ministry reach is dictated by the willingness of those individuals to embrace this as a personal responsibility. And so often, within a congregation, we find an imbalance between those who do too much and those who do too little.

There must be a better way.

Maybe we should consider the full potential of a church where everyone understands that we are all Made to Serve.

All the justice they withheld from others would finally be delivered to them.

BUT… Those harsh words still contain hope, because even though national judgment was absolutely certain, personal repentance was still a possibility.

Even though we may feel helpless about the ever-shifting and ever-eroding trends of our society, we do have the ability to distinguish ourselves before God. If we choose to cling to righteousness at all costs, then it ultimately proves the truth about the God we claim to serve.

In the same way, our society has progressively neglected God’s standard. Our apathy, our complacency, and our overwhelming self-interest has compromised our spirituality, but yet, we still affirm ourselves as favored by God. Obviously, we’re in need of a major recalibration - but most importantly, we need a true standard by which to measure ourselves.

Amos arrives in Israel in response to such neglect, as the prosperity of the nation seems to have cost them their humanity. Their persistence towards greed and injustice reflected a clear rejection of God’s heart for the vulnerable in society. In response, His judgment arrives to grant them their foolish desires - a life absent of the word of God.

The rich versus the poor…

The right versus the left…

The powerful versus the weak…

We struggle to see the implications of a world that refuses to accept its own sense of shared responsibility. Consequently, what emerges from this type of collective self-absorption is a culture that is primarily characterized by indulgence, indifference, and injustice.

The book of Amos highlights a period in Israel’s story that reflects so many of these same concerns. It gives a glimpse into how easily we become distracted by our own desires, and what happens when we fail to uphold our relational responsibility to each other. The Lord’s response to this is nothing short of chilling, revealing the true severity of our unfortunate social condition.

We should all receive the words of Amos as a prophetic warning to us today — The Time Is Ripe.

We’ll kick off the first week of our survey of Amos with a question: Do You Know the Time?

More than just our Creator, our Savior, and the King of our lives - the Lord has determined to be our friend.

This is a distinct New Testament revelation that transforms faith expression into the most desirable relationship of all. But if God Himself has decided to be my friend, then it leaves me with the unsettling question: Can I be a good friend to Him?

Jesus made clear promises to His disciples concerning this supernatural help, and we must consider them to avoid mishandling the gift. How do we relate to the Spirit? How does the Spirit relate to the world? And perhaps most importantly, how should we relate to the world, as we keep in step with the Spirit?

What exactly should we do with our diversity?

Too often, diversity becomes a point of division, because historically, society has allowed our differences to mean more than they should. At times, we’ve drifted into extremes, and even ungodly responses, to those who show up as slightly different than us.

Something certainly needs to change, and we must be careful to not demand a change in the wrong things. Fortunately, gospel mission calls us to something greater than just the safety we find in similarity. What we really need is a supernatural response to our differences.

Interestingly enough, this steady increase of knowledge has resulted in an unfortunate outcome that we never could have anticipated:

We have become more intelligent - but less wise.

As the lines between right and wrong continue to blur with social progress, it becomes increasingly evident that we need something more than just “another option.” Wisdom doesn’t just come from a place of experience, it actually comes from a person. It seems that the practical help we need is found in the spiritual presence we ignore.

You can’t be Christian without Christ…

And you can’t be “holy” without the Holy Spirit…

The biblical record affirms the history of our burdensome longing for spiritual fulfillment, and the New Covenant reveals that God chose to resolve this tension - once and for all - by satisfying us with Himself. It seems to be the obvious conclusion for a world, and a people, dehydrating themselves in sin. But what’s most intriguing about it all is the manner in which He chooses to do it:

He gives us His Spirit.

Not just a set of rules to obey…

Not just a perfect example to follow…

Instead, He unites with each of us, specifically and individually, that we might find perfect alignment with Him. Our intimacy with God is made possible by our dependence on His Spirit, and He is the assurance we have in knowing that we truly belong to the Lord.

The next season of Cumberland will see a church that does more than just shepherd the broken. In addition, we’ll provide room for those same people to grow into the fullness of Christ and become agents of redemption. From planting churches, to launching businesses, to exploring artistic expression, to even running for public office - Cumberland is to become a launchpad for personal life mission through relevant gospel expression.

We are to FEED the Church, so that she can continuously provide SEED to the world.

So… how have you been growing?

On the final Sunday of 2025, let’s take a collective self-assessment - a “Fruit Inspection,” if you will. We’ll discuss how distractions can take us off-course, and we’ll talk about the only real way to produce fruit.

We savor the fullness of that anticipation, remembering the night - some 2000 years ago - when the countdown finally came to an end. But here’s the question… When did the countdown begin?

As we’ll see in Scripture, lowly shepherds receive the primary invitation to the celebration of the birth of King Jesus, and in doing so, reveal something miraculous about the opportunity of Christmas.

But sometimes, we overlook the Lord’s work in light of our inflated expectations.

We find ourselves consumed with waiting for God to do something big, all while He is actively working in smaller ways around us. Mary was challenged with this, in reconciling a long awaited desire for a savior with the immediate weight of an unexpected pregnancy. Her miraculous demonstration of faith is one that is accessible to us all, if we consider that God’s good gifts don’t always come wrapped in the way we expect.

This Christmas, we’ll give special attention to such ordinary miracles. Whatever God is doing, and, more importantly, however He chooses to work, must be our priority. Big or small, easy or hard, extraordinary or ordinary - it all counts as miraculous, and the Lord is worthy of praise for every thing He does!

Whether you're battling bullies at school, pressures at work, or maybe just discouragement in your own mind - the impact of such things can leave us feeling like we’ve lost control of our lives. Fortunately, the gospel reminds us of the most important thing: Even if all seems lost, Jesus restores.

We can’t help but measure God’s will in our lives against what we see as His will in the lives of others. In such cases, the criticisms that we have for each other begin to feed the doubts that we form about God. Remember, God’s call in our lives is unique.

One Bible story in particular explores this problem — that of Mary and Martha hosting Jesus in their home. The sisters respond to Jesus in contrasting ways, creating a familiar tension that’s very much avoidable. It’s an intriguing reflection of faith and priorities, leaving us with compelling questions over the best way to honor God.

Scripture captures many examples of how the faith of one paves the way to good news for others. Whether it’s the courage of Abraham, or the loyal devotion of Ruth, we’re reminded of the only acceptable response whenever God calls...

The righteous must choose to live by faith.

His sovereign plan invites us to participate in His work, whether we feel qualified or not. Scripture is jam-packed with such testimony - stories of unlikely people who the Lord chose for extraordinary things.

Peter and Paul represent 2 such stories, with competing personalities in the growth of the early Church. Paul, the brilliant religious activist, and Peter, the uneducated, impulsive commoner, both served God in their own extraordinary way. From white collar to blue collar, their distinct resumes remind us of the affirming significance of God’s call in a variety of life experiences.

Whenever He taps our shoulder for kingdom service, anything that is wrong about us gets swallowed up in everything that is right about Him.

If we fail to connect WHAT we do to HOW we feel, then we risk overlooking a key measure of our relational wellness. Whenever someone crosses the line to offend us, we’re left with a range of intense emotions from which to respond. Unfortunately, human emotions cannot be trusted to govern our lives, and following them can lead us into sinful compromise.

Jesus calls us to sidestep this risk with a simple solution - just love everybody.

If we can find a way to manage our emotions and pursue peace in spite of pain, then personal offense becomes an opportunity to demonstrate the genuine love we possess.

Far too often, our differences lead to division, and the current social climate seems intent on turning neighbors into enemies. More than ever, the words of Jesus offer a way forward - but how do we live out His expectation? How in the world are we supposed to love our enemies??

Join in the work of sharing it with others.

It seems that God’s call is much more simple than we care to admit. Consequently, our response reflects something deeper than just surface-level obedience. If we heed His call, then it affirms our commitment to the ultimate outcome - changed lives, and a God who is glorified.

But the Lord has determined that He wants all that belongs to Him. His sovereign plan includes reclamation of all of His glory, and an ultimate demonstration that He alone is worthy of it.

Our desire is to seek the common good - across all racial, political, religious, and economic differences - in the hopes that we can contribute to the flourishing of EVERYONE.

Our All Things New campaign provides an opportunity to expand this effort in practical ways, as we leverage the gospel in our neighborhood.

There’s no denying that we’ve faced significant delays in completing our campus project. And honestly, there’s a list of reasons to explain why. But as the Lord continues to renew our hearts for gospel mission, we must come to grips with the real obstacle standing in the way -- our personal priorities.

The book of Haggai recounts a relevant charge to God’s people who are slack in repairing the temple. Misplaced priorities began to characterize their worship, and excuses piled up concerning the temple repair. In response, the prophet delivers a word that is meant for one specific goal:

To call people back into alignment with God’s will.

This week continues our All Things New series, with a focus on our own renovation project. Perhaps our delay demands a shift in our devotion, so that we can capture God’s heart concerning this step of our gospel mission.

In this new season, we’ll give our full attention to the beautiful vision of new creation. In the final pages of scripture, John’s apocalyptic glimpse into the future reminds us that Christ is enthroned as Lord of all creation. It is this specific revelation that holds remarkable implications for our fallen world and its future.

As history moves towards the finale, we envision a climactic ending that will ultimately fix all that is broken. But John’s vision makes it clear that Christ does not return as some type of “divine REPAIRman.”

Instead, from His throne, He declares boldly, “I make all things NEW.”

Cumberland’s vision is a call to join in this redemptive work to ensure that the gospel is felt everywhere, by everyone. That means good news for here, near, and far.

Power… Wealth… Influence… They become our standards of measurement. And those who have them claim to hold the keys to the future.

Such is the allure of empire.

And one way or another, we all get swept up in it. But Jesus offers a completely different option, and if we don’t pay close attention to His words, then we’ll find ourselves waiting for something that is already here.

Say the right things…

Do the right things…

Look the right way…

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for such shallow emphasis, and He calls us to a much deeper consideration. The way in which Jesus relates to us must determine how we relate to each other. If we embrace His approach — His Way — then we learn to bypass what we see on the outside, and focus on the one thing we should all hope to be: clean on the inside.

This type of tension they faced — between growth and faithfulness — is actually NORMAL for the church. Therefore, we must adjust our understanding of gospel mission, and accept its tendency to be disruptive to the comfortability of a congregation.

Moses’ story demonstrates the truth that the strength of this world is still no match for the weakness of God.

Abraham chose to believe God.

Against all odds, and perhaps, even, logic, he chose to order his life around trusting God - purely on the merit of His word. We can all look back to Abraham, to find the motivation we need to look forward in faith - no matter what we face along the journey.

Learn how to stand against compromise and choose obedience over outcomes!

But have you ever considered just how important a second chance can be?

Second chances are as important as the air we breathe. Without God giving us second chances (and third, and fourth…), we couldn’t survive!

The problem is, we’ve become so accustomed to receiving second chances from God that we can feel entitled to them.

We forget that it’s all a matter of God’s grace...

⏵ Made a decision for Jesus? - cumberlandcc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/34971

⏵ Connect -  go.cumberlandchurch.org/Connect

⏵ Bulletin - cumberlandchurch.org/bulletin

⏵ Give - cumberlandchurch.org/give

⏵ App - cumberlandchurch.org/app

⏵ Counseling - cumberlandcenters.org/

⏵ Kids Church Online - cumberlandchurch.org/nextgen

⏵ Wed Prayer @Noon - go.cumberlandchurch.org/WedPrayer 

Simply put, today’s dreams are tomorrows stories.

If we look closely, stories of motherhood can teach us about who God is and how His kingdom works. The sacrifice, fear, love, loss, and sorrow experienced on the journey of motherhood are instructive for our own walk with the Lord.

Let’s investigate the untold story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and see how we identify with her story. We’ll see that her story will point us to our role in the greatest story of them all.

Evidence of God’s story can be found in everything, but it echoes loudest in the lives of people.

This is the power of testimony, because it is a reminder that every individual story holds a significant place in God’s grand narrative. This placement holds no regard for worldly status, but instead it gives voice to all who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, and it calls them forward to tell their story.

But there is hope - and it comes in response to admitting the truth about our tendency to follow Adam’s example. If one man caused the problem for us, then it will take another man to provide a solution.

The prophet Isaiah challenges Judah concerning their religious offerings, exposing their blindspots concerning the true condition of their hearts. In the same way, we must be careful to not confuse our dedicated focus on God with a careless neglect of each other.

Jacob’s encounter with God (in Genesis 32) sounds extraordinary, but it reflects something that should be completely normal for us. It is the struggle of prayer that we so often avoid - opting for something else more comfortable and convenient.

Nevertheless, our access to God leaves room for a more aggressive faith, paving the way to the type of encounter that promises to change our lives forever.

It seems that God values our persistence in a way that’s difficult for us to understand. We tend to measure relationships against our own capacity to love, failing to realize that God has limitless capacity.

He does not grow tired of our dependence on Him.

In that sense, the need for persistence in prayer is not a reflection of God’s readiness to hear, but of our own willingness to believe.

We are to live outward so that others may see our good deeds and give glory to God.

But what’s to be said of our private relationship with the Lord? More importantly, what’s the significance of a private conversation with Him?

Certainly, there are things that we may only feel comfortable in sharing with the Lord. But do we leave room for things that God only wants to share with us?

We process… and reflect… and then overwhelm ourselves with concerns that we can never resolve on our own.

This is called WORRY.

And worry is a sign that you should be having a conversation with God. Worry is probably best described as “unreleased prayer.”

This week, we’ll see that God’s Word prescribes a practical solution to the worries and anxieties that plague our broken lives: to simply cast all of our cares on God through prayer.

All of our hopes, needs, and desires long to be satisfied. And prayer is the option we choose to allow God to do just that. But more than all the wonderful things that we may expect to receive from the Lord, what we really need is, simply, Him.

Prayer is an entrance into His presence, where we find so much more than just a helping hand. This is the real value of prayer: an open invitation to fall to our knees at any moment, and for any reason, to simply “seek His face.”

And the reason for this confidence is tied to the most powerful tool of all: access to God through prayer.

We often worry about what’s missing from our lives, without ever considering what might be missing from our prayers. In essence, how we talk to God holds a direct impact on how we actually live for God. The bold and courageous steps that are meant to characterize our faith journey originate from our humble dependence on a God who is willing to provide our every need - if we just ask.

Likewise, people won’t truly know the type of seed we have until they experience the type of fruit we bear. This is our appointment in Christ: to lead faithful lives characterized by abundant fruit.

Jesus revisits this expectation with His disciples one final time before heading to the cross. Fortunately, His reminder to them sets a clear priority for us, and it gives practical insight into spending our lives bearing fruit that will last.

We see a practical picture of His intentions in the life cycle of a seed - following its progression towards multiplication, as an abundant harvest of fruit.

In the same way, there’s a process by which God multiplies all that He has invested in us. Understanding this pattern is key to cooperating with God’s will for our lives. If we place our confidence in Him - in light of whatever circumstances we face - we can always be certain that our trust in the Lord will produce Fruit Without Fail.

But the reality is that commercialism is always poised to hijack the season, transforming our opportunity to be generous into a recurring sense of entitlement.

Sadly, the opportunity to give descends into an expectation to trade. 😕

Such darkness calls for a specific type of light - one that should recapture the true spirit of generosity for the Christmas season.

The wise men show up on the scene with certain intentions, but their actual encounter with the Savior brings even more out of their hearts.

The angels didn’t appear to Roman royalty, the wealthy and educated, or even the religious circles of the day. Instead, the news was brought first to the most unlikely class of people: a group of lowly shepherds.

This unlikely heralding signaled something significant to the world: you have a reason to rejoice, no matter who you are or where you find yourself in life. Consequently, this pattern is a defining characteristic of the gospel today - as it continues to bring the highest joy to the lowest people.

But what if God’s favor is about more than just our sense of personal benefit?

What if God’s best for us turns out to be the least convenient to us?

If we affirm ourselves on the basis of our own limited understanding of “blessing,” then we risk missing out on the true meaning of the favor of God.

It’s a tradition that poses an interesting dynamic for believers, because unfortunately, we can get so swept up in the holiday season that we find ourselves more committed to hanging lights than we are to actually being lights!

As such, there’s no better way to approach the Christmas season than to allow the lights of the season to remind us of the light of salvation. If we remember our gospel responsibility, then it becomes easier to see the vast opportunity that the holiday season provides to actually become Christmas lights.

All that the world values must be eliminated, so that only what God desires will remain. John’s vision includes a picture of this societal transformation - orchestrated by none other than the Lamb who was slain.

Of course, this vision was given long ago, and it may not be fulfilled until far in the future. But such a powerful revelation should never leave us on the sidelines, waiting idly for it all to happen.

We can actually join right now with what God will do in the future - if we choose to believe.

What if the real issue is not the challenges we face, but rather the type of victory we desire? In many ways, we’ve grown too accustomed to fighting fire with fire, which only fuels the problem we’re trying to solve. Even when our intentions are good, our ways are still worldly, and they never seem to produce the type of outcome that pleases God.

Therefore, we must learn to gaze deeply into the picture of Christ to find the solution for which our society longs.

Surprisingly, this argument is the same on both sides of the aisle, even though people may part ways on who they think actually qualifies as a “godly” candidate.

But now that the election is over, we can turn our attention back to what matters most. The pathway to true victory is never found along partisan lines, and the Church holds the responsibility of demonstrating this for everyone else.

We belong to a kingdom that far surpasses the political dealings of this realm.

And everything that happens in this world, whether good or bad, gives us an opportunity to point to the good news that lies beyond it.

Competing positions and arguments across the aisle hold the potential to leave our country in a state that is somewhat less than “united.” It seems everyone is digging their heels in on answers that seem right for themselves, and not necessarily anyone else.

Unfortunately, at times, the Church finds herself playing the same game. 

Nevertheless, the kingdom of God holds its own manner of politics, and as believers, we’d do well to embrace it. We must rediscover the ethics of the kingdom, starting with the ministry of Jesus and continuing through the mission of the Church. As in the days of the mighty Roman Empire, the political powers of our world demand a more compelling witness from those whose real hope lies beyond this world.

What happens to the offering after I give?

Whenever the topic of money arises in church, questions usually follow. For various reasons, many find it difficult to trust their giving to a church. Fingers continue to point in both directions, only serving to increase the skepticism that often exists between church members and church leadership.

But scripture gives us insight into how money shows up as a necessary part of ministry - even for Jesus.

There is much to consider about the place money holds practically, as well as the implications it brings spiritually in any ministry effort. Because of this, God invites us to give freely - investing in the kingdom with a clear understanding of how God actually receives our gifts.

But maybe there’s GOOD NEWS in it… somewhere…

1. Build trust with others by admitting the truth about myself.

2. Be ready to serve - whenever, however, and wherever God opens a door.

3. Expect hardship, and respond to it with perseverance.

We carry fear about how bad life can get.

But we also carry hope about how good things can be.

And maybe the most telling part of our faith is the expectation we have about the actual time it takes for God to move us from one extreme to the other. All while God is relating to us, we are reacting to Him - about what He might do, or perhaps, what He hasn’t done yet.

But at some point, He moves on our behalf. And what we do in that moment may reveal more about us than we ever considered.

Unfortunately, we live in a world filled with acceptable distractions, so we find ourselves wasting time without even realizing it. And as the world’s pursuit of pleasure and convenience continues to expand our options, it becomes even more important to focus our attention on things that really matter.

Time is a limited resource, and if we aren’t careful with it, then that which should be used for WORSHIP will inevitably end up in the category of WASTE.

That means that whenever scripture has something to say about “the rich,” it’s not just talking about billionaires.

Jesus has an interesting encounter with a wealthy young man who is eager to do the will of God. But he soon discovers what God requires, and its a much higher price than he’s willing to pay. In the story, Jesus warns us all about the potential trappings of wealth - not because it’s wrong for us to have so much, but because it’s dangerous for anyone to share so little.

We can’t climb out of our fallen condition in life, because we want the wrong things from it. Interestingly enough, our persistence in trying to satisfy our own thirst IS actually the very thing that makes us thirsty. This dilemma is what it means to live “according to the flesh.”

It’s a hopeless cycle, but somehow we still believe that we can just "want" our way into a better life. But Jesus teaches us a much better way to live - one that requires denying ourselves, so that we might find true fulfillment in Him.

Such is the condition of the human heart. 😕

Even if we’ve been forgiven of our sins, we may find ourselves choosing them all over again. We stumble, fall, and eventually go astray, but God’s love pursues us anyway. In doing so, He brings a unique and transformative option - one that causes us to pursue Him in return. In this manner, God’s redemptive plan doesn’t just clean us on the outside, it actually cleans us on the inside - by the washing of the Word.

He wants it all back.

But recovering what has been lost also means redeeming that which is broken. And unfortunately for us, we just so happen to be both - broken AND lost.

Consequently, God’s plan of salvation includes a process of sanctification as well. More and more, His grace pushes beyond the outer surface of our lives to reach the inner areas of resistance that live deep within our souls. His persistence in this is undeniable, and one thing is painfully clear:

If I am to truly belong to the Lord, then I must be willing to give Him All of Me.

So often, we face unanswerable questions that try to weaken our faithful resolve. Even success holds the potential to lure us away from our basic dependence on God. But more often than not, it’s fear and uncertainty that becomes the obstacle, leaving us paralyzed.

So, how do we move forward in obedience to Him if something is actually standing in our way?

How do we trust God when we’re stuck between a past we don’t want and a future we can’t have?

We find Moses and the Israelites in this situation - stuck between two realities...

We answer to Him, not the other way around. Of course, the reality of that can leave us somewhat confused in trying to follow through on His commands. We learn fairly quickly that trusting God doesn’t necessarily mean an easy path.

Moses learns this as soon as he arrives in Egypt, as Pharaoh makes his mission an uphill climb. Nevertheless, the Lord uses every difficulty to demonstrate His power - going to extraordinary lengths to rescue His people. In the same way, God is faithful to rescue us all from the “Pharaohs” that hold us in bondage.

Oftentimes, it’s our past failures that keep us from seeing God’s hand in our future success. Moses’ insecurity shows up in the most inopportune time - as God calls him to do something beyond his own ability. In such moments, we all find ourselves worrying about the problem, rather than trusting in the solution. In Moses’ story, we discover that the wonders of God’s love rest in our willingness to trust Him - in spite of ourselves.

Our questions don’t necessarily constitute doubt, but our attempts to understand God fall short in ways that only believing God can overcome. That's because faith is not just our key to relating to God - it’s also the means through which God demonstrates the wonders of His love to us.

No story captures this more than the mission Moses undertook to rescue the Israelites from Egypt - the central narrative symbolizing God’s saving power in the lives of His people. But Moses was plagued with questions concerning his own place in God’s will. As we survey his story, we discover that Moses, like many of us, was very much Prone to Wonder.

One thing is clear: whatever we treasure the most in our hearts, has the greatest influence over how we live from day-to-day.

Have you ever been asked a Yes or No question and responded with that answer?

That's how most of us would probably reply when asked if we’re “spiritually mature.” We're often unsure how to answer that question, for multiple reasons.

After all, how do you measure if you're mature in Christ?  

Though we might find it ambiguous, scripture is clear that we are to pursue maturity in our walk. Today, we’ll talk about how to process that question - what does it mean to be mature in Christ? - as we begin a new series called "Growing Up."

The framework of “one anothers” is meant to create a unique atmosphere within the body of Christ, leaving the necessary margin in our relationships for all of our brokenness.

And while this responsibility falls on the shoulders of every believer, nobody in the family seems to be a better example of it than those we call, “Mother.”

Scripture promises that our enduring fellowship will invite the one thing that can make the difference in our broken lives - the very presence of God. Therefore, love is important to the body of believers as a pathway to the most important destination of all - UNITY.

It is there - in that place - that the Lord has determined to bestow His blessing.

There will always be some reason to avoid them.

The expectations we have for others are usually directly tied to the standards we prefer for ourselves. So when people fail to measure up, we find little use for them in our relational circles.

But these preferences fall short of the heart of God. He desires much more for us than just self-serving interactions. His Church is meant to be a loving community - filled with people who are unafraid and willing to go the distance with - and for - each other. And that doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges, disagreements, and even disappointments along the way. But whenever our brokenness begins to stand in the way of our commitment to each other, the gospel is readily available to remind us of one truth: That’s what love is for!

But this doesn’t mean we are without problems, challenges, or difficulty.

It means that in Christ, we are without excuse.

The Church is meant to be a shining example of God’s intention for humanity. There is a way to live together and a way to love each other - in spite of our fallen world. The Church of Jesus Christ should stand as the primary demonstration of that possibility, and shine hope to the world as one new people - the Fellowship of the Broken.

He would become the embodiment of God’s blessing. His presence would introduce a brand new era - where dreams come true, justice is never optional, and the goodness of God shows up abundantly in every person’s life. Such extraordinary hope, hanging on the identity of a single person, left everyone with the same question: 

Who is he???

- - -

Connect - https://bit.ly/CumberlandConnectForm  

Bulletin - https://cumberlandchurch.org/bulletin

Give - https://cumberlandchurch.org/give

App - https://cumberlandchurch.org/app

Counseling - https://cumberlandcounselingcenters.org/

Kids Church Online - https://cumberlandchurch.org/nextgen

Wed @ Noon Prayer Gathering - https://bit.ly/NoonPrayerZoom

RightNow Media - https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/cumberlandcc

Bulletin - https://cumberlandchurch.org/bulletin

Give - https://cumberlandchurch.org/give

App - https://cumberlandchurch.org/app

Counseling - https://cumberlandcounselingcenters.org/

Kids Church Online - https://cumberlandchurch.org/nextgen

1. A New Reality

2. A New Identity

3. A New Ability

We are all condemned by our sin, but no need to worry: Jesus to the rescue!

And while the responsibility of the Church is to communicate this message, so often the news we share falls short of being “good.” Sometimes, we work to convince people of the bad news, instead of compelling them with our good news.

As believers, we each hold tangible evidence of our faith, but somehow that testimony rarely ever makes it to the witness stand. Because even though we receive the gospel as good news, our tendency is to share it as something else altogether.

This means that obedience to His will demands much more than just some empty religious theory; it actually requires contextualization.

The challenge of the church is to translate the love of God into the lives of people. So a proper witness to the world demands that believers do more than just believe privately - we must also be willing to demonstrate what we believe publicly. Only then can we make progress in our gospel effort to brighten up the world.

But what happens if the church is elevated on the wrong hill?

Because worship is actually a default for humanity, our tendency is to always worship something. What plagues our world is not an absence of worship, but rather a perversion of it. But God has planted His people in the world to shine brightly, countering all that is wrong with an expression of what is undeniably right.

Jesus presents this idea in a very simple picture that should define our active presence in the world:

A city set on a hill.

As a church family, it’s important for us to understand this expectation and allow it to inform our overall ministry expression. In an ever-changing culture, there is a specific manner in which we are to engage - to ensure that there is a light that continues to shine wherever there is darkness.

We know this because He gave the most extraordinary gifts to ensure that it becomes a reality! As we become more intentional about unwrapping those gifts, we’ll see our faith community being built up, just as God planned.

As such, the church remains under construction.

Once the foundation has been laid, the other gifts take their place to continue the work. This week, we’ll unwrap a few more gifts - evangelists, pastors, and teachers - to discover how they contribute to the building of the church.

So much of who we are meant to be as believers - and as a church family - is tied to how the Lord enables us through spiritual gifting.

The Bible describes two of those gifts as foundational - apostles and prophets. That means they are intended to lay the groundwork for everything else. If we receive them in the way God desires and leverage them accordingly, then we can prepare ourselves for the extraordinary plans God has in mind for His church.

Spend Less 2 Give More - https://spendless2givemore.org

Connect - https://bit.ly/CumberlandConnectForm  

Bulletin - https://cumberlandchurch.org/bulletin

Counseling - https://cumberlandcounselingcenters.org/

Kids Church Online - https://cumberlandchurch.org/nextgen

All of their religious practices, and their social status, and their heritage gave them a false sense of security - and John exposed it all with a single piercing message: 

Repent and be baptized.

We can be right AND wrong - all at the same time.

You’re caught off guard by God’s unexpected answer to your questions…

But when you discover that God’s ultimate plan is greater than your immediate preference, then maybe the only response left is simple:

Worship.

He was growing tired and weary as wickedness in the earth increased - especially amongst God’s people.

Or course, you know what that’s like. Just turn on the news. 😕

Even in the church, we see some of the same corruption that you would expect to only find in the world! Somebody needs to do something about it…

So Habakkuk turns that complaint to God and asks Him directly, “Why won’t you do something?”

And the Lord responds, in so many words, “I am doing something!”

Would your questions focus on satisfying your own will? 

Or would you seek to understand God’s ways?

The book of Habakkuk offers the intriguing narrative of a peculiar prophet. The prophet role is generally meant to communicate God’s answers to the people - but instead, Habakkuk has his own questions for the Lord. How do you reconcile a fallen, wicked world with a good and powerful Creator? And why must we deal with all the problems of this world if God can just solve them?

For many, just like the prophet Habakkuk, our faith is resting delicately on our fragile expectations for the Lord. But soon enough, we’ll discover that God’s perfect will considers so much more than just our tiny perspective.

The same thing that happens to all of us - life. The pressures of this world are constantly trying to chase away our hope, and at times, it can seem like too much to face on our own.

Fortunately, God never intended for us to live that way.

And often times, it’s only the storms in life - that which we dread the most - that help us discover what we’ve needed all along.

Sometimes, after we’ve come to faith, we find ourselves facing even greater challenges. And whether it's a storm brewing around us, or emotional chaos bubbling up inside of us, we’ll be tested to see if there is anything that can make us exchange our brand new faith for our same old fear.

As Moses led the Israelites in their escape from Egypt, they faced their own moment of hopelessness - trapped between the Egyptian army and the sea. With no place to hide and nowhere to run, they were left with the most unlikely option:

Step into the water.

But what if they don’t?

We know life eventually rains on everyone, but what happens when the rain turns into a full-blown storm? At times, we can find ourselves stuck in the most fierce of storms, and those circumstances will try to tear our lives apart. Because when the rain is falling, and the wind is blowing, and the floodwaters are raging, we are forced to admit the one thing that has been true all along: I can’t hold it all together.

Fortunately, there’s Someone who can.

Fortunately, there is good news.

The gospel doesn’t shy away from our darkest moments, or even our deepest pain. In fact, while we hold to the hope that the Lord will ultimately relieve us - perhaps the real solution we need is in knowing that He will *join us* in the suffering.

The Bible says we are to treat others the way we want to be treated, but most often we find ourselves facing opportunities to treat others the way we have already been treated. Unfortunately, it’s a default of humanity to perpetuate pain.

Joseph’s remarkable story doesn’t preclude him from this test, even though his journey has taken him far away from those who hurt him. His newly elevated status brings him face to face with an important question:

When you finally receive God’s promise, will you continually maintain His heart?

And while that may seem pessimistic, it’s mostly just an acknowledgment of the reality of a broken world. Fortunately, we have a God who holds it all in His hands - the good AND the bad...

In such times, the problems around us seem to offer a reasonable excuse for compromise.

We are susceptible — especially when we are motivated by hurt, pride, entitlement, discouragement, or sometimes, just plain old fatigue. Either way, our weakest moments provide prime opportunities to make the biggest mistakes.

Joseph’s story is an encouraging example, considering the unfortunate circumstances in which he finds himself. When his faith is tested the most, he finds some way to maintain his integrity, and to Keep His Hands Clean.

At some point, we all will. The ups and downs of life leave us wavering in our emotions and feeling insecure about our future. Though we may believe God’s promise, we often find ourselves in situations that seem far removed from it.

The biblical story of Joseph is an example of how to navigate a life of turmoil. Instead of crumbling at every disappointment, we find Joseph leaning into God's promises for his life and "bracing for the best."

One thing is clear — if JUST having a lot of confidence was the key, Peter would pass with flying colors. But while confidence is important, the arrest of Jesus lets us know that self-confidence is not enough.

That's a lesson Peter would learn the hard way.

Prior to his arrest, Jesus told the disciples that they would all fall away, but Peter was confident that he would be with him all the way to the end, even if it meant dying for him. But when the time came, Peter and the others did just as Jesus had stated.

Following Jesus requires that we put our confidence in him rather than in ourselves.

During that time, he would further demonstrate his love as he served, prayed for, and encouraged them. In setting this example of love, he would also leave them with a final command: Love one another as he loved them.

It's that type of love, he said, that would identify them as his followers.

As disciples of Jesus, we're called to love everyone. But there is to be a special love between those who are brothers and sisters in Christ that is evident to everyone. How do others know that you follow Jesus?

Just when he has an opportunity to increase his number of followers, he responds with a message that actually threatens to reduce the number by letting the crowd know that there's a cost to being his disciple.

Are you willing to pay the cost to follow Jesus?

Are you a disciple of Jesus?

Of course, doubt is not really a new challenge for believers. One of the most iconic models of faith in all of scripture faced a similar moment of uncertainty. John the Baptist, the fiery preacher who paved the way for Jesus, reached a climactic point in his own life where he began asking questions...

There is actually a mission behind motherhood.

So, while the application of the role can vary (birth mom, step mom, adoptive mom, grandma, etc), the mission itself opens up a redemptive opportunity for all who are willing to embrace it.

And this is actually ideal, because maybe the best way to honor mom is to join in the work that she’s called to do.

But did they really believe God could perform a miracle for Peter?

Do you believe God can do something like that in *your* life?

But we must also remember the manner in which He chose to live.

The Bible teaches that Jesus humbled himself for the purpose of obedience. As such, humility should be the defining attitude of those who belong to Christ. Whether you’re a senior citizen adjusting to retirement after long career, or a kindergartener facing the first days of school, the same requirement stands for all believers, regardless of your circumstances.

Through our global missions partners in Kenya, India, Greece, and Ecuador, our experience of God’s Kingdom becomes both broad and deep. We encounter different cultures, perspectives, and lives that look nothing like our own, and we get to see God moving in amazing new ways!

Back in March, Cumberland sent a small team to Kenya to minister alongside our partners at Glory Outreach Assembly. This trip was our first to Kenya in a long while (thanks, Covid), and it was the spark of a fire that is going to continue burning hot at Cumberland - a fire to rise up and go!

His disobedience strays away from God’s design, and the consequences are clear: If we follow Adam’s example, our glorious and prosperous intention will lead us to a swift and final end, called death.

In contrast, Jesus Christ, as the second Adam, introduces a new destination for all who believe, called eternal life.

As such, their relationship with Him was characterized by the past, not the future.

But on the third day, those who visited the tomb were confronted with a life-changing revelation: He was not where they expected Him to be.

Experience how Jewish people celebrate Passover today, how the symbolic foods of Passover picture God’s redemption, and how Jesus is beautifully foreshadowed in the Passover celebration and story.

“Jesus in the Passover” brings new insights into the Jewishness of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Very simply put, something that cannot happen - actually DID happen. And because it did, new possibilities re-order our thinking about everything else! It's no longer enough to just think - we are compelled to believe! And this difference flows from one eye-opening consideration - the revelation of resurrection.

- Hebrews 13:15-16 (NLT)

Connect - https://bit.ly/CumberlandConnectForm

Bulletin - https://cumberlandchurch.org/bulletin

Give - https://cumberlandchurch.org/give

App - https://cumberlandchurch.org/app

Events - https://cumberlandchurch.org/events/

Kids Church Online - https://www.youtube.com/@cumberlandnextgenkids

Weekly Email - https://mailchi.mp/cumberlandchurch.org/weeklyemail

Wed @ Noon Prayer Gathering - https://bit.ly/NoonPrayerZoom

Serve - https://cumberlandchurch.org/serve/

Would you be fooled?

Would others?

Do you think God can be fooled by “fake fruit” in our lives? It may be time to take stock of what sort of fruit we are offering “in the name of the Lord.”

Jesus presents Himself as the bread of life. Those who come to Him not only find something they want, but also something they never imagined - eternal satisfaction.

Of course, that price is paid through the work of Jesus Christ, but interestingly enough, His sacrificial death leaves an important pattern for our lives. It teaches us to live in a way that continuously chooses God’s will over our own.

Jesus died for us, so that we could live for Him.

Unfortunately, many have limited their worship expression to whatever occurs in a particular location, on a specific day of the week.

The truth is that our God is much greater than what we have given Him.

He deserves so much more.

Our entire lives are meant to be devoted to Him, and it should be evident in whatever we do. In fact, anyone who resolves to use their opportunities, their gifts and abilities, and even their breath to give God the glory He deserves, has chosen to lead a life of worship.

But it certainly holds benefit for us as well.

The New Covenant pictures this benefit in ways that OT temple worship seems to miss. And unfortunately, many people default to the same empty patterns of religion, thinking they count as true worship.

Still, God wants a quality of relationship with His people that is characterized by something unique, and He gives us a glimpse of that in marriage.

So, whether you are married or single, the nature of marriage is intended to point us all to what God has in mind when we fall in love with Jesus.

With its meticulous design, its collection of rare and expensive materials, and even the ornate decorations - it was intended to not only house God’s presence, but also to reflect His glory. Anyone who saw it would be left with an obvious conclusion:

Where else would God live?

Of course, the full implications of this begin with the original Tabernacle in the wilderness, and they continue with the construction of the Second Temple. But what we discover about worship in their comparison leaves us impressed with much more than just a shiny, gold house.

Connect - https://bit.ly/CumberlandConnectForm

Bulletin - https://cumberlandchurch.org/bulletin

Give - https://cumberlandchurch.org/give

App - https://cumberlandchurch.org/app

Events - https://cumberlandchurch.org/events/

Kids Church Online - https://www.youtube.com/@cumberlandnextgenkids

Weekly Email - https://mailchi.mp/cumberlandchurch.org/weeklyemail

From the garden of Eden to the glory of eternity, the unfolding of time reveals the same expectation - that all of creation would honor the Creator.

Needless to say, this opportunity has been consistently mishandled.

But even more so, it’s intriguing to consider that it has been so dangerously misunderstood by humanity - the part of creation that is best equipped to actually do it. The distractions of life, the lies of the enemy, and the cravings of our flesh twist and distort our perspectives in such a way that we cannot see God clearly.

But the Lord has given us glimpses of Himself. And whenever we respond to them, we access the only thing that brings true alignment to our lives: 

The Wisdom of Worship.

When we look at the life of Jesus, we find a similar performance in His development. His life from the age of 12 to 30 is summed up by one verse, and in it, we discover all that we need to know concerning His preparation to fulfill His purpose. Jesus spent this time recording a Triple Double.

Obviously, He did so for our example. But too often, we allow the thirst for knowledge to work against us, rather than for us. We use knowledge as a pathway to something questionable - motivations that might be less than God-honoring.

And since ignorance doesn’t necessarily provide a better option, we desperately need a third approach. This is the way of wisdom.

In a world of increasing access to information, we are all faced with the definitive question: What should I do with what I know?

Generally speaking, growth is a natural byproduct of health. But in a broken world, our growth must come through resistance.

Scripture repeatedly pictures the full development of Christlike character as a giant oak tree displaying the full splendor of God. As such, we must embrace this imagery as the goal of our character: to grow tall and strong, deep in our roots, and spread wide the branches of love - so that others might see the full display of God’s glory through us.

Sometimes, it seems like others are enjoying more of God’s goodness than you are.

But is that really true?

Does God prefer some over others?

If you aren’t careful, you can mistakenly view the “favor of God” as no different than the “favoritism of man.” At the same time, you must acknowledge that there is something noteworthy about the manner in which God demonstrates His goodness in the lives of individuals.

God is good to everyone - simply because He is good. But He also leaves you with an important choice - to cooperate with His goodness in your own life.

But what can seem like a very specific decision in response to our circumstances really reveals our true attitude toward God.

Following the example of the Son requires a certain disposition towards the will of the Father - one that is best embraced before we ever face such challenges. And as the Lord invites us to His table of fellowship, fully demonstrating His decision concerning us, we are each left with the opportunity to place our response on His table.