The Week of Hope

Starting Sunday, we are in a full scale operation to serve our city, called the Week of Hope. God willing, we will put 2000 volunteers onto the streets to serve our city in Jesus' name. It is huge. If you haven't heard about it yet, you are deaf.

I want to remind you that the purpose we do this for the purpose of the Gospel. Every weed we pluck, every wall we paint, every homeless person we comfort--it's all for the purpose of making Jesus famous. We want to show, in a tangible way, what Jesus' love is like. Jesus SERVED us by pouring out His life for us when He died on a cross as a substitute for our sins. Now we will pour out our lives for others.

Every person is made in the image of God. They all have value. They all matter. And no one is less deserving of God's love than we ourselves were when Jesus died for us. As we have been loved, we will love; as we have been served, we will serve. It is our response to the Gospel. We don't just serve to convert; we serve because we're converted.

One thing we have STRONGLY encouraged you to do that week is INVITE SOMEONE you work or live with to serve WITH you, especially if they are not a Christian. Let them serve with you, and let that service provide a chance for you to explain why you live the way we do.

Peter says to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within is. We demonstrate our hope when we have great joy in the midst of persecution and when we sacrifice generously for others. Live radically, so that your life begs a question... and then be ready to answer it.

Comments

[Carlos Griego]

One thing we have STRONGLY encouraged you to do that week is INVITE SOMEONE you work or live with to serve you, especially if they are not a Christian.

I am guessing you meant:

One thing we have STRONGLY encouraged you to do that week is INVITE SOMEONE you work or live with to serve WITH you, especially if they are not a Christian.

I pray this type of heart spreads and goes out of ACC country to the rest of the country like here in New Mexico. Praying for you all.

Los

[J.D. Greear]

Ha, yes, Los. Good call.

[almost an M]

"As we have been loved, we will love; as we have been served, we will serve. It is our response to the Gospel. We don't just serve to convert; we serve because we're converted."

VERY well said. Good job Summit!!!