HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE TO HATE SOMEONE?

A while back, Penn Gillette told a story about receiving a Bible backstage after one of his magic shows. Gillette is a self-proclaimed atheist, but he was impressed by the manner in which the small New Testament was given—not with arrogance but with humility and authenticity. The giver’s attitude was more remarkable to Gillette than the actual gift.

Penn Gillette described how sincere the man was in words and approach. He noted that the man must have really believed what the Bible says about behaving and giving with such understated power. And then Gillette gave words to the story that will forever haunt me.

Reflecting on this backstage exchange and what the fan obviously believed about God, Gillette posed this challenging question: “How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and NOT tell them that?” If you believe in Jesus, heaven, and hell AND you don’t tell someone, you must really dislike that person if you refuse to give them the Good News that you’re carrying in your back pocket.

Profound stuff from a celebrity atheist.

Would this line of thinking also apply to our FIA this weekend? How much do you have to hate someone (or a city) NOT to serve? IF we believe in Jesus as our redeemer and how He served us, AND we understand that doing beautiful things can have a significant, eternal impact, are we hating people if we don’t serve? “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your GOOD DEEDS and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
(I Peter 2:12)

This Saturday and Sunday, we are serving the teachers, administrators, and families of Norton Park Elementary School. Norton Park is a Title One School with a high transient rate and in much need of support and encouragement. The teachers are strongly committed to bringing success into the lives of the students, and Cumberland wants to come alongside to help. This is a great opportunity for the church to serve and show God’s love by “being the church.”

How much do we have to hate people NOT to serve them?

Need more info? CLICK HERE and watch our FIA video.

Need to sign up and register? CLICK HERE to do just that!

Let’s go, Cumberland. We need the army to do its thing. The Falcons did not rise up, but we still can! We can serve. We can love. We can point people to the transforming love of Jesus by transforming Norton Park Elementary School this weekend.

Excited to serve alongside you,

Weekly Giving |2.05.17

$33,695.00

Weekly Need $39,700.00