April 13, 2025 | "Christianity Explored: The Cross: Why Did Jesus Die?” | Rev. Roberto Chaple
Why did Jesus die on the cross? This sermon unpacks Mark 8 and four powerful reasons the cross matters—substitution, sacrifice, history, and eternity. Discover how Jesus' identity and mission transform our lives today.
In this week’s message, Pastor Roberto walks us through one of the most defining questions in Christianity: why did Jesus die? Drawing from Mark 8:27–33, we see Jesus begin to explain His mission after Peter identifies Him as the Messiah. For Jesus, identity and mission are inseparable. Once Peter recognizes who Jesus is, Jesus clarifies what He came to do: suffer, die, and rise again. But this was not the kind of Messiah Peter—or many of us—expected.
Through powerful illustrations and scripture, we explore four key reasons the cross was necessary:
Substitution (Atonement) – Like a stunt double, watchman, or soldier going to war, Jesus took our place, absorbing suffering so we could have peace with God.
Sacrifice (Love) – Romans 12 reminds us that living for God requires sacrifice. If we are the greater cause God died for, then God becomes the greater cause we live for.
History (Time and Place) – Jesus didn’t die in a myth or metaphor; He died on a Roman cross, in real time, in real history—making the cross part of our human story.
Eternity (Transcendence) – John 5:24 points us to the eternal promise of life. Jesus’ death opens the door not just to forgiveness, but to eternal hope.
The cross wasn’t an accident—it was the mission. It redefines love, purpose, and eternity. And if the cross is real, it means Jesus is still calling us to live differently because of it.
Discussion Questions
These are the same questions handed out during the message. Use them in your small group or personal reflection:
Why do you think Peter rebuked Jesus in Mark 8:32-33?
How does understanding Jesus' identity as Messiah help you better understand His mission?
In what ways do we sometimes accept who Jesus is, but reject what He calls us to do?
Which of the four reasons for the cross (substitution, sacrifice, history, eternity) spoke to you the most, and why?
What would it look like to “set your mind on things above” this week?
How does the historical reality of the cross challenge you personally?
What would change in your life if you truly believed Jesus took your place?
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April 6, 2025 | "Christianity Explored: Grace: How Can God Accept Us?” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
In this sermon from Mark 10:17–27, Rev. Vicki Harrison explores the radical nature of God’s grace and what it really means to be accepted by God—not by earning it, but by receiving it. Watch the message and reflect on what it means to depend fully on Jesus.
This week in our Christianity Explored series, we wrestle with one of the most important and often misunderstood aspects of our faith: grace. What does it really mean? How can God accept us—just as we are?
Using Mark 10:17–27, Pastor Vicki walks us through the story of a man who asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This man seems to have everything going for him: wealth, moral character, religious obedience. But Jesus responds not by praising him, but by challenging him to give everything up and follow him. The man walks away sad, unable to release what he holds most dear.
In contrast, just before this interaction, Jesus welcomes little children and says the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. The irony is clear: the man who had everything still lacked what really matters, and the children who had nothing were already close to the heart of God.
This message challenges the idea that we can earn God’s love through good behavior or a perfect track record. Instead, grace means God offers us acceptance, love, and new life—not because we deserve it, but because he loves us.
It’s not about earning God’s approval. It’s about depending on Jesus completely. Grace is the undeserved love of God freely given, and it is the only thing that can bridge the gap between our sin and God’s holiness.
If we think we can earn our way to God, we miss the point entirely. But if we acknowledge our dependence, receive God’s grace, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts, we begin to live the new life Jesus offers.
Watch the full message and reflect on the questions below. Let this be a moment where grace takes root deeper in your life.
Discussion Questions
Do you see yourself in the young man in Mark’s scripture? Why or why not?
How are you totally dependent on Jesus? How are you not dependent?
Have you fallen into the trap of thinking God might love some people more than others?
Have you accepted God’s free gift of grace?
How is the grace of Jesus pouring out of you? Or is it?
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March 30, 2025 | "Christianity Explored: Sin: Why Did Jesus Come?” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
This week at New Hope, Pastor Vicki continues our Christianity Explored series by asking a powerful and personal question: Why did Jesus come?
The answer goes straight to the heart—literally.
This week at New Hope, Pastor Vicki continues our Christianity Explored series by asking a powerful and personal question: Why did Jesus come?
The answer goes straight to the heart—literally.
In Mark 7, Jesus tells us it’s not what’s outside of us that defiles us, but what comes from within. From our hearts come things like selfishness, envy, pride, lust, deceit, and greed. These are the things that break our connection with God and hurt our relationships with others.
Jesus doesn’t come just to teach good morals or inspire a better way of living. He comes to deal with sin—the sin that starts in each of us. He comes because we have a heart problem, and we can’t fix it ourselves.
This message might be hard to hear, but it’s good news. Because once we understand the depth of our need, we start to understand the depth of God’s love.
Jesus sees everything—every choice, every motive, every failure—and still chooses the cross. He gives His life not because we’ve earned it, but because we need saving. And that grace changes everything.
When we admit that we’re sinners in need of a Savior, we open ourselves up to the transformation only Jesus can bring. He doesn’t just forgive us—He gives us a new heart.
We invite you to watch the full message and take some time to reflect on what this means for your life. Below are the same discussion questions shared during the service. Consider praying through them on your own, or talking through them with your small group.
Discussion Questions:
Do you agree with the idea that “there is something wrong with the world because there is something wrong with us”? Why or why not?
How do you see Jesus’ description of the heart in Mark 7:20–23 reflected in the world today—or in your own life?
How would you define sin in your own words?
What is the connection between sin and our ability to love God and love others?
If Jesus watched a movie of your entire life, every single scene, how would you feel? What do you think He would say?
Do you believe you have a heart problem? Have you ever honestly admitted to God that you are a sinner?
What are you going to do about it?
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March 23, 2025 | "Christianity Explored: Jesus’ Identity: Who is This Man?” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
In a storm-tossed boat, the disciples cry out, “Who is this man?” As Jesus calms the wind and waves, we’re left asking the same question. Explore the identity and authority of Jesus as revealed in the first chapters of Mark—and discover why it changes everything.
In week 2 of Christianity Explored, Rev. Vicki Harrison walks us through a foundational question of our faith: Who is Jesus? Drawing from Mark 4:35–41, we explore Jesus’ power over nature—and reflect on the deeper identity revealed through His miracles, teachings, and authority.
Mark doesn’t just tell us stories; he presents evidence. Jesus heals the sick, casts out demons, forgives sins, teaches with authority, calms storms, and raises the dead. These aren’t just acts of compassion—they are signs of His divine identity.
And when the disciples ask, “Who is this man?”—Mark invites us to answer that question for ourselves.
As you consider the message, take time to sit with these questions. You may want to journal your answers, talk about them with a trusted friend or group, or simply bring them to God in prayer:
1. What storms are you currently facing?
In what ways do you need to be reminded that Jesus is in the boat with you?
2. Have you ever asked, “Jesus, don’t you care?”
How did He respond—or how might He be responding now?
3. Which part of Jesus’ authority—over nature, illness, evil, death, or sin—do you find most comforting? Most challenging to believe?
4. Mark gives us a clear picture of who Jesus is. What do you believe about Him right now?
Be honest—are there areas of doubt, questions, or places where you long for more clarity?
5. What would it look like to give Jesus full authority over your life?
Are there any areas where you’re still holding on to control?
6. When you reflect on your life, how has Jesus already proven His presence, power, or love?
How might those memories strengthen your trust today?
7. What would it mean for you to rest in the boat—while the storm still rages—because Jesus is with you?
Can you pray for that kind of peace?
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December 24, 2024 | "Shine in the Darkness: Christmas Eve” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Explore Rev. Vicki Harrison's Christmas Eve message from the "Light in the Darkness" series, where she illuminates how Jesus's birth offers enduring light in our lives' darkest moments, providing hope and transformation.
5:00 pm Family Service
7:00 pm Traditional Service
Summary:
In her poignant Christmas Eve message titled "Light in the Darkness," Rev. Vicki Harrison invites us to reflect on the profound significance of Jesus’s birth into a world engulfed in both physical and spiritual darkness. She artfully draws connections between contemporary struggles with darkness, such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness, and the oppressive darkness experienced during Jesus's time under Roman rule. Rev. Harrison reminds us that Jesus, prophesied by Isaiah as a beacon of hope, was born to be the light in our darkness, offering salvation and a new way of being. Her message reaffirms the power of Jesus’s light to overcome any form of darkness we face today and encourages us to carry and share this light, transforming our surroundings and pointing others towards the Father.
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September 22, 2024 | "Creed: I Believe in Salvation in Jesus Christ” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Join Pastor Vicki Harrison as she explores the profound truths about salvation in Jesus Christ through the Apostle’s Creed. Discover the transformative power of His sacrifice and what it means for believers today.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
Pastor Vicki Harrison explores the profound significance of salvation through Jesus Christ in this sermon, emphasizing how His crucifixion bridges the chasm between sinfulness and God’s grace. Delving into the historical context and theological implications of Jesus’ suffering, death, and burial, the sermon addresses the brutal realities of His sacrifice, paralleled with His role as the ultimate atonement for humanity’s sins. Highlighting scriptures and teachings from the Apostle’s Creed, Pastor Harrison invites believers to reflect deeply on the personal and transformative impact of accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, urging them to embrace a life aligned with God’s eternal plan.
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February 11, 2024 | "Hope Full" | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Discover hope in 'Finding Christ in the Midst of Crisis,' a sermon by Pastor Vicki Harrison that explores the intersection of faith and mental health struggles.
10:00 AM - Combined Service
Summary:
In “Finding Christ in the Midst of Crisis,” Pastor Vicki Harrison delves into the depths of human despair and the power of hope through faith in Jesus Christ. Through a poignant exploration of the Psalms, including the raw emotions of Psalm 88, Pastor Harrison addresses the complex relationship between mental health struggles and spiritual faith. She emphasizes that mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and addiction, are not indicative of a lack of faith but are part of the human condition in a fallen world. The sermon calls for the removal of stigma surrounding mental health within the Christian community, urging compassion, understanding, and proactive support for those afflicted. Pastor Harrison offers practical advice for supporting loved ones, including encouraging professional help, being present, and reminding them of God’s unending love and the hope found in Jesus. The sermon is a call to action for the church to be a beacon of hope and a lifeline for those in the depths of despair, reinforcing that through Jesus Christ, there is always hope.
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