Sundays at Cumberland

So, what happened to Hope? 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.

A new life following Jesus isn't necessarily absent of old problems. 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.

"God will make a way." You’ve heard that before, but it doesn’t really resonate until you find yourself completely out of options. 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.

Is your life ready for inclement weather? Sometimes, the dark clouds of circumstance can blow into our lives so fast that we assume they will pass just as quickly. 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 tea...

They say time heals all wounds - but some people would have to live forever to get past the hurt they’ve experienced. 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.

Is it ever okay to take revenge? Asking for a friend… 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 aw...

As the old saying goes, anything that can go wrong usually does. 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...

We all face trials. But the difficult seasons of our life can also be a breeding ground for another challenge: *temptation.* 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 oppo...

In a fallen world, it’s easy to become discouraged. 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 disa...

Do you have enough confidence to follow Jesus? 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 conf...

Out of all the things Jesus could have been doing prior to his crucifixion, he chose to spend his last precious hours with his disciples. 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...

Many who choose to follow Jesus aren't aware that there's a cost to being his disciple. While we might be tempted to lower the bar of discipleship to make following Jesus more appealing to all, Jesus does the exact opposite. 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 the...

Jesus was certainly no stranger to having crowds of people follow him. But He only considered those who were *fully committed* to following him as his disciples. Are you a disciple of Jesus?

The current social climate leaves many people trying to “deconstruct their faith.” Religious views that have anchored us for so long are facing scrutiny from surprising places. It seems that even those who have been devout believers are beginning to ask the question, “Can we trust the truth?” Of course, doubt is not really a new challenge for believers. One of the most iconic models of faith in al...

"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." - Romans 13:10 (ESV)

The Bible sets clear expectations on the importance of honoring our mothers - which will certainly require more than just a single day to-do. Nevertheless, we can use Mother’s Day to look beyond the person… beyond the position… and discover a purpose that rests on her role. There is actually a mission behind motherhood. So, while the application of the role can vary (birth mom, step mom, adoptive...

The book of Acts details many of the trials and persecution of the early church. In chapter 12, when Peter the Apostle was thrown in prison by King Herod, the members of the church hit their knees. It says that “the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” But did they really believe God could perform a miracle for Peter? Do you believe God can do something like that in *your* life?

Jesus came to die for us. 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 stand...

The movement of God is not confined to one particular place. 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...

The legacy of Adam leaves a bleak future for all of mankind. 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.

Those who witnessed the worst moment of Jesus’ life were left with an obvious impression of His fate. That which had begun so promisingly had come to a tragic end. 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.

The “Jesus in the Passover” service brings to life the Jewish roots of faith in Jesus as well as the celebration of Communion. Murray Tilles, from Light of Messiah Ministries, gave this presentation at Cumberland a few years back, and it's still just as relevant today. Experience how Jewish people celebrate Passover today, how the symbolic foods of Passover picture God’s redemption, and how Jesus...

The central point of our faith is rooted in an impossible reality. 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.

"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." - Hebrews 13:15-16 (NLT) Connect - https://bit.ly/CumberlandConnectForm Bulletin - https://cumberlandchurch.org/bulletin Give - https://cumberlandchurch.org/give App - https://c...

Would you know the difference between a fake apple and a real one? 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.”