February 9, 2025 | "Celebrating Healing From Addiction” | Pastor Vicki Harrison and Will New
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
In the second week of the God's Healing series, Pastor Vicki Harrison introduces the topic of addiction, sharing key statistics and a biblical perspective on its impact. Addiction is described as both a physical disease and a spiritual affliction, highlighting the importance of God's role in healing. Pastor Vicki emphasizes that while addiction changes the brain's reward systems, it also enslaves individuals spiritually, making it impossible to fully love God and others as commanded in Matthew 22:37-39.
The sermon transitions to a powerful personal testimony from Will New, who shares his journey from addiction to sobriety. Will recounts his struggles with alcohol, how it affected his family, and the pivotal moment when he realized the need for change. He emphasizes that true healing began when he allowed God's light into his life, supported by his family, friends, and church community. Will's story is a testament to God's grace, unconditional love, and the power of accountability in overcoming addiction.
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More Sermons in this Series
Other Sermons from Pastor Vicki
Rev. Vicki Harrison opened Matthew 12 with a question that would have stunned the room in Jesus' day: "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Jesus points to the people around him and redefines family for good. "The church is not like a family," Vicki said. "The church is a family." On Promotion Sunday and the day before school started back, she showed what that means at New Hope Church — a household of households, led by Jesus, where the mask comes off and we actually learn to love each other. Then the whole church gathered for a family photo and prayed over its teachers.
On Communion Sunday, Rev. Vicki Harrison opens Matthew 26 — the night before the cross, where Jesus takes the oldest meal of God's people and fills it with new meaning. "This is my body… this is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." The message walks through what actually happens when we come to the Lord's Table: we experience the grace of Jesus, we come together as one body, all people are welcome, and we return to it again and again. It is not a ritual to observe from a distance — it is grace we receive with open hands.
The water was at the front of the room, and one by one people stepped in to say it out loud: I belong to Jesus. Here's what Pastor Vicki Harrison taught about baptism on Sunday — and why the old really is gone.
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