September 8, 2024 | "Creed: I believe in God the Father” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
In the sermon “I Believe in God the Father,” Pastor Vicki Harrison initiates the “Creed” series, focusing on the profound truths embedded in the Apostles’ Creed. This series, deeply rooted in the community and faith of New Hope, aims to fortify believers with a robust understanding of foundational Christian doctrines, guiding daily actions and strengthening communal bonds.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
In the sermon “I Believe in God the Father,” Pastor Vicki Harrison initiates the “Creed” series, focusing on the profound truths embedded in the Apostles’ Creed. This series, deeply rooted in the community and faith of New Hope, aims to fortify believers with a robust understanding of foundational Christian doctrines, guiding daily actions and strengthening communal bonds.
Pastor Vicki highlights the revolutionary nature of declaring the Apostles’ Creed, emphasizing its role in defining and defending core Christian beliefs against cultural and historical waves of materialism, consumerism, and relativism. By reciting “I believe,” rather than “I know,” she distinguishes our faith-driven convictions that actively shape our life choices, unlike mere knowledge which often fails to impact behavior.
The sermon beautifully unfolds the dual nature of God as the Almighty Creator and a loving Father, illustrating God’s power and parental care with scriptural backing and relatable analogies. This approach not only aligns with New Hope’s values of being “Rooted in God’s Word” and “Renewed by the Holy Spirit” but also reinforces the church’s mission to deepen the faith of its congregation and reach out to the world with the message of Jesus Christ’s love and salvation.
The call to action for the congregation is to engage deeply with the Creed study, ensuring that every member understands and lives out the truths of their faith, fostering unity and purpose within the community. This reflective and educational journey promises to equip believers to articulate their faith better and to live out the transformative power of the Gospel in every aspect of life.
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More Sermons in this Series
Other Sermons from Pastor Vicki
October 8, 2023 "Count Me In: Church Matters" | Pastor Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
In her sermon, Pastor Vicki Harrison emphasized the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ and underscored the significance of the church community in one's spiritual journey. She highlighted the presence of the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead within believers, and stressed that, through faith, God can work miraculous deeds in and through them. Pastor Harrison noted the recent lackluster performance of the church, attributing it to a failure to fully embrace the potential transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. She pointed out a tendency to rely on personal strengths and abilities while paying mere lip service to relying on God. She emphasized the need for wholehearted devotion to Jesus to tap into the power of His Kingdom, expressing optimism for a forthcoming powerful intervention from God.
In the latter part of her sermon, Pastor Harrison focused on the indispensable role of the church community in the spiritual journey. She stressed that active participation in a church community is non-negotiable for those fully committed to Jesus. She asserted that believers need each other to authentically live out the gospel, drawing upon the example of the early church in Acts chapter 2. They were deeply devoted to the apostles' teachings, shared fellowship, broke bread together, and prayed collectively. Their communal way of life itself became a powerful testament to the gospel. Pastor Harrison concluded by encouraging the congregation to reflect on their own encounters with the church and to prioritize attendance.
Key Takeaways:
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead resides in us, and through faith, God can perform miraculous things in and through us.
We need to fully devote ourselves to Jesus to experience the power of His Kingdom.
Being part of a church community is not optional for those who are all in with Jesus. We need each other to live out the gospel.
The early church in Acts chapter 2 serves as an example of how believers should live, being devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.
We should make attending church a priority, reflecting on our own experiences with the church and committing ourselves to being part of the church community.
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
