We Are Hope - Reaching Our Community - Noah Saucedo At Hope we are: Transforming lives by the power of the Holy Spirit; Growing individuals in a deeper walk with God; and Reaching our community with the love of God. Why should we reach our community? Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life. Acts 2:42-47 “Eighty-two percent of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited.”  “Only two percent of church members invite an unchurched person to church. Ninety-eighty percent of church-goers never extend an invitation in a given year.”  Dr. Thom Rainer - The Unchurched Next Door Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles. If you think you are somebody too important to stoop down to help another (when really you are not), you are living in deception. Galatians 6:2-3 Who do we need to reach? However, I say to you, love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them. Matthew 5:44 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Matthew 5:46-47 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 God wants us to love everyone. How can we reach our community? “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 We can reach our community by helping someone on the side of the road, paying for someone's meal, being patient with the waiter or waitress at lunch because it's taking longer than normal to get your food. If they see Jesus in us then they will want to come to church to find the joy and love we've shared with them. Are we loving our neighbors like Jesus loves us? Are we open to opportunities to serve our neighbors?  Are we a light n the darkness?