The Gospel According to... Inflation?

Cumberland Community Church

The Gospel According to... Inflation?

October 20, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • Matthew 16:1–3

The cost of EVERYTHING continues to rise. It’s frustrating and absolutely exhausting to discover that the more we do, the less we’re able to accomplish.

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

Where Giving Goes

October 27, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • Matthew 26:6–9

If I’m expected to “give to God” in church, then how exactly does God get that giving? 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.

Life on Mission

October 13, 2024 • Courtney Harkness, Andrew Dunbeck • Isaiah 46:11, Acts 14:11–15, Acts 16:6–10, Acts 20:22–24

To lead a life on mission: 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.

When God Opens a Door

October 6, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • Acts 16:29–31

Whenever we choose to trust God, we usually bring unspoken expectations along with us. 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.