December 24, 2023 | "Cranky Christmas: VIP Access" | Rev. Roberto Chaple
10:00 am Service
Summary:
In the sermon titled "VIP Access" from the series "Cranky Christmas," Pastor Roberto Chaple emphasizes the idea that God grants VIP access to unexpected individuals. Drawing from the biblical narrative, he contrasts the wise men seeking a king with the shepherds seeking a savior. The core message revolves around being blessed and highly favored by God, focusing on qualities such as humility, recognizing the need for God's breath, and pursuing righteousness. The sermon encourages listeners to be facilitators of God's grace, available and open to experiencing VIP access in their lives.
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December 3, 2023 | "Cranky Christmas: God Is Never Late" | Rev. Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
The sermon "God Is Never Late" by Pastor Vicki Harrison is based on the biblical passage from Luke chapter one, verses five through 25. The sermon revolves around the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth, a couple who were righteous in the sight of God but were unable to conceive a child due to their old age.
Zachariah, a priest, is chosen by lot to enter the temple and burn incense before the Lord. While in the temple, the angel Gabriel appears to him and delivers the message that his wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son named John. This child will play a significant role in preparing the way for the Lord.
Zachariah expresses doubt, asking how he can be sure of this since he and his wife are old. In response, the angel informs him that he will be unable to speak until the prophecy comes true. Meanwhile, Elizabeth becomes pregnant, and when their son is born, Zachariah affirms the name given by the angel—John. At this moment, Zachariah's speech is restored, and he praises God for fulfilling His promise.
Pastor Vicki Harrison emphasizes the unexpected nature of God's plans, drawing parallels between the challenges faced by Zachariah and Elizabeth and those encountered by people in contemporary life. The sermon encourages trust in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem discouraging or unplanned. It conveys the message that God's timing is perfect, and His purposes prevail, bringing hope and joy even in unexpected situations. The sermon concludes with an invitation to approach the communion table, reflecting on the presence of God and anticipating His transformative work in the hearts of the listeners.
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November 26, 2023 "Living Out Christ's Mission: A Thanksgiving Reflection" | Andrew Miller
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
9:30 am service coming soon.
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
In his message, Andrew Miller reflects on the changes in his life since his high school graduation speech about his personal journey with Christ. As a current engineering ambassador at USF, he emphasizes the importance of not just providing information about the college but also sharing personal experiences to answer questions about what it means to be an engineering student.
Andrew then highlights the dual role he sees himself and others playing as ambassadors to Christ. He draws from 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, stressing the significance of the mission, manners, and motives of Christ ambassadors. He speaks about the critical nature of the mission, emphasizing the need to keep Christ at the center of both individual lives and the church's plans.
Andrew shares a personal story about the timing of his speaking engagement, emphasizing the idea that God works on His own timetable. He discusses the importance of ambassadors' manners, urging them to exhibit the fruits of the spirit consistently, even in challenging situations. Andrew underscores the impact of actions over words, sharing an anecdote about a coworker whose behavior spoke volumes about his faith.
Andrew then delves into the motive of being Christ ambassadors, emphasizing the centrality of Jesus in their mission. He cautions against the temptation of feeling morally superior and encourages humility, forbearance, and self-control. He challenges the comfort often found in American Christianity and calls for a sense of dissatisfaction with one's sinful nature.
Andrew expresses concern about the convenience of modern Christianity, emphasizing the need for a genuine fear of God and a move away from comfort zones. He encourages a shift from head knowledge to heartfelt faith, urging believers to make time for Christ and others. The message concludes with a prayer for forgiveness and a call to stand in awe of God's greatness.
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November 19, 2023 "This Is War: Prayer, the Weapon of Choice" | Pastor Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
In Pastor Vicki Harrison’s sermon titled “Prayer, The Weapon of Choice,” she emphasized the importance of prayer in the context of spiritual warfare. The sermon was part of a series on spiritual warfare, and Pastor Vicki encouraged the congregation to be vigilant in their spiritual battles. Here is a summary of the key points:
Introduction: The sermon was part of a spiritual warfare series, highlighting the ongoing nature of the battle. The congregation was encouraged to take notes as the material was challenging.
Spiritual Warfare Defined: Pastor Vicki defined spiritual warfare as the ongoing battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. She emphasized that every believer was part of this war, and the enemy’s goal was to keep God’s people passive and ineffective.
Acknowledging the Spiritual War: While acknowledging the difficulty some may have in accepting the reality of spiritual warfare, Pastor Vicki stressed that the Bible consistently discussed this battle from Genesis to Revelation.
The Armor of God: Reference was made to Ephesians chapter six, where the Apostle Paul discussed the armor of God. Pastor Roberto previously preached on this topic, emphasizing the importance of wearing the full armor provided by God.
Prayer in Spiritual Warfare: Pastor Vicki underscored the significance of prayer as a crucial aspect of spiritual warfare. She mentioned that prayer was not just a supplement but a strategy, a war plan. The congregation was encouraged to pray continually, maintaining an awareness of God’s presence throughout their daily lives.
Intercessory Prayer: Paul’s request for intercessory prayer in Ephesians 6:18–20 was highlighted. Pastor Vicki emphasized that if even Paul sought the prayers of others, believers should also engage in intercessory prayer for one another.
Praying in the Spirit: Pastor Vicki explained the concept of praying in the spirit, referring to spirit-directed prayers empowered by the Holy Spirit. This involved seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit in prayer.
Varied Types of Prayer: Congregation members were encouraged to diversify their prayers. Different prayer methods, such as the PAUSE acronym (Pause, Adoration, Asking, Yielding), praying scripture, and the Canopy Prayer for spiritual warfare, were suggested.
Call to Action: The sermon concluded with a call to action. The congregation was invited to engage in a unique prayer activity by walking around the campus and praying the Canopy Prayer over different areas to push back the powers of darkness.
Closing Prayer: Pastor Vicki closed the sermon with a prayer, expressing gratitude for God’s call and stating the congregation’s readiness to engage in spiritual warfare through prayer.
The congregation was encouraged to actively participate in the concluding prayer activity, demonstrating their commitment to the spiritual battle through bold and expectant prayers.
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November 12, 2023 "This Is War: Preparing for Battle" | Pastor Roberto Chaple
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
We apologize, but the live stream is incomplete for both services, but it was recorded and will be available soon.
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
Pastor Roberto Chaple's sermon titled "Preparing for Battle" emphasizes the spiritual warfare that occurs both within and around us. He highlights the importance of being alert to spiritual forces, taking up spiritual weapons, and considering the spiritual implications of our decisions and words. The sermon draws from Ephesians 6:12, emphasizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against dark spiritual powers. Pastor Chaple traces this battle back to the ancient conflict between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan, emphasizing that every individual is involved, and there are no neutrals in this war.
The sermon underscores the battlefield as the mind, emphasizing the need to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Pastor Chaple identifies Doubt, Deceit, and Disobedience as harmful spiritual weapons, contrasting them with faith, truth, and obedience. He advocates for preparing for this battle by putting on the full armor of God, each piece carrying spiritual significance. The sermon concludes with a call to assess our spiritual posture and ensure we are fully equipped for the ongoing spiritual battle.
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November 5, 2023 | "This Is War: What War?" | Pastor Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
Pastor Vicki Harrison delivers a powerful sermon titled "What War?" emphasizing the reality of a spiritual war between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. Drawing from Ephesians 6:10-12, she highlights the need for believers to be equipped with God's armor to stand against the devil's schemes. Pastor Vicki emphasizes that while evil is real, believers are not at war with flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of darkness. She urges the congregation to be aware of the enemy's tactics and emphasizes the importance of prayer, submission to God, and remaining faithful in the battle. The sermon calls for a renewed commitment to push back the forces of darkness and shares the urgency of this mission for the sake of future generations. The message concludes with a call to prayer, seeking God's guidance and revelation in the fight against spiritual opposition.
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October 29, 2023 "Count Me In: Integrity Matters" | Pastor Vicki Harrison
10:00 AM - Combined Service
Pastor Vicki's sermon focuses on the theme of integrity and being all in with Jesus. She begins by expressing gratitude for the testimonial videos shared by Bob and Lisa. She emphasizes the power of hearing people's stories about their commitment to Jesus and their sacrifices for God's work.
This sermon is the concluding part of the "Count Me In" series, which is centered around wholehearted devotion to Jesus. Pastor Vicki highlights how the broader church has sometimes settled for intellectual belief without genuine transformation, which has affected its impact on society.
She emphasizes that the church, specifically New Hope, stands on the brink of something significant, but it requires active participation and commitment from the congregation. The series has covered various aspects of submitting different areas of life to Jesus, including understanding God's love, the importance of the church community, serving, and giving.
In this final part, the focus is on personal behavior and lifestyle, underscoring that how believers conduct themselves matters significantly. Pastor Vicki defines integrity as being the same person both in public and behind closed doors. She stresses that integrity is a central distinctive of a follower of Jesus and that it's about allowing God to work within individuals to develop an unwavering determination to do right, even when it's challenging.
The sermon concludes with a call to self-reflection, encouraging listeners to consider if there's anything in their lives that needs alignment with godly values. Pastor Vicki reminds the congregation that they are ambassadors for Jesus, representing the kingdom of God in the world, and urges them to live lives of integrity and commitment to Christ.
The sermon closes with a prayer for God's guidance, a reaffirmation of the congregation's belonging to Jesus, and an invocation for God's blessing and anointing upon the church. The message emphasizes the high calling of following Jesus wholeheartedly and living lives that honor God.
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October 22, 2023 "Count Me In: Giving Matters" | Pastor Vicki Harrison
Pastor Vicki Harrison, sharing powerful insights on surrendering to Jesus in every aspect of life.
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Pastor Vicki Harrison's sermon, "Giving Matters," is all about going all in with Jesus in every part of her life. It's part of the "Count Me In" series, which is all about saying a big yes to Jesus.
The main verse we’ve been focusing on is Galatians 2:20, which talks about how we’re transformed when we says yes to Jesus. Basically, our old self is left behind, and we each become a new person with the Holy Spirit living in us, bringing a ton of power along with it.
Pastor Vicki reminds us that God doesn't force change on us. We have to be willing to work with the Holy Spirit. We might be a new person in Jesus, but it's still our choice whether we'll actually live like it. She thinks that sometimes in the American church, we've settled for just believing in Jesus without letting that belief really change us.
She believes that the world outside is looking for more than just words. They want to see power, real change, and to see that being a part of Jesus' church makes a difference. She's convinced that being part of Jesus' church can be a game-changer, and that their church, New Hope, is on the brink of some big things if they're willing to cooperate with God.
The series has covered a bunch of areas where we're learning to submit to Jesus, like understanding God's love, the importance of the church community, and the significance of leadership. This week, they're diving into why giving matters. Pastor Vicki knows talking about money can be uncomfortable, but it's crucial because money plays a big role in the Bible's story.
She shares some teachings from Jesus, pointing out how earthly treasures can easily fade away or be lost, and how their hearts tend to follow where they invest their time and money. It's a radical way of thinking compared to the world's values.
She gets personal, recalling how her dad, when he became a Christian, was all in with Jesus. He tithed, giving 10% without exceptions, and he taught her to do the same with her allowance. It made a lasting impression on her about everything being a gift from God. Even when times were tough, they kept tithing, and God never let them down.
She emphasizes that being all in with Jesus means giving every area of her life, including her finances, to Him. She encourages everyone to consider their giving intentionally and prayerfully, asking if they truly trust God to provide.
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October 15, 2023 "Count Me In: Leadership Matters" | Pastor Roberto Chaple
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Pastor Roberto Chaple's sermon focuses on the importance of leadership within the church community. He emphasizes that leaders play a crucial role in fostering unity, growth, and transformation among believers. Using the acronym APEST (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers), he identifies different types of leaders and their unique contributions to the church.
- Apostles: Groundbreaking leaders who initiate and pioneer new paths in ministry.
- Prophets: Insightful leaders who discern and communicate God's messages, often pointing out areas where individuals or the church may be out of alignment with God's will.
- Evangelists: Catalysts who actively engage in evangelism, leading others to faith in Jesus and facilitating conversions.
- Shepherds (Pastors): Caring leaders who nurture and protect the spiritual well-being of the flock, often providing pastoral care and guidance.
- Teachers: Empowering leaders who equip and educate believers, helping them understand and apply God's Word effectively.
Pastor Chaple encourages individuals to reflect on which type of leader they are called to be and urges them to step up and embrace their role in the church. He emphasizes that the world needs Christian leaders who are committed to serving God's kingdom and making a positive impact on their communities. The sermon concludes with a call to prayer for those who feel called to take on leadership responsibilities within the church.
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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.
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October 1, 2023 "Count Me In: God’s Love Matters" | Pastor Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
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September 24, 2023 "Dinner with Jesus: A Different Kind of Rebel" | Pastor Roberto Chaple
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
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September 17, 2023 "Dinner with Jesus: Are We Missing It?" | Rev. Dr. Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
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September 10, 2023 "Dinner with Jesus: Hosting a Meal with Jesus" | Rev. Dr. Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
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September 3, 2023 "Dinner with Jesus: Here You’re Family" | Rev. Dr. Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
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August 27, 2023 "Light, Live, Life: Celebrating Eternal Life in Jesus" | Rev. Vicki Harrison
10:00 AM - Combined Service
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August 20, 2023 "Light, Live, Life: God is Love; Are We?" | Rev. Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service (Incomplete)
11:15 AM - Praise Service
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August 13, 2023 "Light, Live, Life: Walking in the Light" | Rev. Vicki Harrison
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
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August 6, 2023 | "Called" | Rev. Lavetta Pope & Pastor Dan Parrish
9:30 AM - Traditional Service - A Defining Moment - Rev. Lavetta Pope
11:15 AM - Praise Service - Called - Rev. Dan Parrish
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July 30, 2023 | "Called" | Pastor Raphael L. Dessieu & Pastor Betty Bricker
9:30 AM - Traditional Service - Tell The Story - Pastor Raphael L. Dessieu
11:15 AM - Praise Service - God Calling - Pastor Betty Bricker
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