City on a Hill

Cumberland Community Church

City on a Hill

January 7, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • Matthew 5:14–16

The world needs to believe a message that it cannot comprehend on its own. Therefore, the Lord has very clear intentions for His people to respond. Our role is to amplify the good news among those who know nothing more than bad news. This is the very essence of His expectation for the Church.

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.

Gospel Renewal

February 4, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • 1 Corinthians 15:1–2

The gospel is present tense, though sometimes we treat it like it’s past tense. But it wasn't just good news a long time ago... the gospel IS good news for us today!

Embracing Change, for a Change

January 28, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • 2 Chronicles 36:22–23

In a rapidly-changing world, the priority of the Church isn't to just "hold things steady." If we trust God, we can begin to see changes in culture as open doors for gospel advancement.

How to Brighten Up the World

January 21, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • Matthew 10:16

There is something very powerful about truth in context. Throughout the biblical narrative, we see God’s word showing up in the practicality of everyday life - the divine invading the ordinary. 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.