"Seeing Beyond The Limits” | Rev. Lavetta Pope
Seeing Beyond the Limits" reminds us that God's vision for our lives stretches far beyond what we can measure. Through Zechariah 2, Pastor Lavetta Pope challenges us to stop defining our lives by limitations and start making room for God's expansion, protection, and glory.
“Seeing Beyond the Limits” explores how God redefines boundaries not to restrict us, but to expand us. Preaching from Zechariah 2:1–5, Pastor Lavetta Pope reveals how God calls us to put down our measuring tools and trust Him to build beyond what we can see. Through the Perception of Possibilities, the Promise of Protection, and the Vision of Hope, this message challenges us to stop limiting God's work in our lives.
Just like Jerusalem, God desires to make our lives places of limitless expansion, surrounded by His fire and filled with His glory. We are invited to stop merely surviving and start thriving in His presence. When we surrender our vision for His, we find a God who is not only our builder but our protector and indweller.
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“The Most Uncomfortable Comforter” | Dr. David Wilkinson
In this powerful message, Dr. David Wilkinson explores how the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, and calls us to mission. Discover what it means to encounter the Spirit personally—and why it’s both beautiful and uncomfortable.
In this week’s message, Dr. David Wilkinson — a theologian and astrophysicist — explores the dynamic, sometimes unsettling, presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. His message challenges the idea of the Spirit as a passive or quiet comforter. Instead, he describes the Spirit as the personal presence of God who both comforts and disrupts, pushing believers into deeper faith and courageous mission.
Dr. Wilkinson outlines four key truths:
Encountering the Holy Spirit is encountering the personal God.
The Spirit is not an idea or force, but the living, breathing presence of God with us.Encountering the Holy Spirit is uncomfortable.
God meets us in our comfort zones—but never leaves us there.Encountering the Holy Spirit pushes us into mission.
The Spirit empowers us to engage the world with love, justice, and boldness.Encountering the Holy Spirit is for all.
Pentecost wasn’t a one-time event for a few elite believers. The Spirit is still poured out today—on all people.
This message is a call to reimagine comfort not as safety, but as the courage to follow wherever the Spirit leads.
Discussion Questions
How does viewing the Holy Spirit as the “personal God” change the way you relate to Him?
When have you experienced the Holy Spirit making you uncomfortable? What came out of that experience?
What does it mean for mission to be Spirit-led? Where might the Spirit be calling you to step out?
Do you believe the Holy Spirit is for you? What might be holding you back from receiving and trusting His presence more fully?
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“Faith That Leaves a Legacy: Spiritual Parenting” Pastor Betty Bricker
In this powerful Mother’s Day message, Pastor Betty Bricker shares how spiritual parenting can shape lives and leave a legacy of faith. Learn from Matthew 20:20-23 and discover the call to influence others through prayer, encouragement, and love.
In this heartfelt Mother’s Day message, Pastor Betty Bricker explores the spiritual legacy of motherhood—both biological and spiritual—through the story of the mother of James and John in Matthew 20:20-23. Known as the "sons of thunder," these disciples had a bold and passionate mother who approached Jesus with an audacious request: that her sons sit at His right and left in His kingdom. While the request may seem brash, Pastor Betty encourages us to look deeper.
This mother’s actions reveal a powerful truth: she prayed for her sons to be part of God’s kingdom and to have an active role in it. Her boldness challenges us to ask: are we praying bold prayers for the next generation? Are we spiritually parenting the people God has placed in our lives—children, friends, students, neighbors?
Pastor Betty reminds us that spiritual parenting doesn’t require a biological connection. It means being present in the lives of others, walking with them through both pain and joy, and being the hands and feet of Jesus. In doing so, we leave behind a lasting legacy of faith.
This message is a call to intentional spiritual influence: to raise others up in faith through prayer, encouragement, and example—because a spiritual legacy is the most important gift we can leave.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
A mother’s love, a bit brash and presumptuous in many ways—but what can we learn from her?
She prayed for her sons to be a part of the Kingdom.
She prayed that her sons would be actively involved in the work of His Kingdom.
She had big expectations.
A spiritual legacy is the most important thing we can leave our children, those we have brought into this world and those we have adopted into our world.
Reach out to those around you this week and bring them into the kingdom. Pray unceasingly!
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August 11, 2024 | "From Doubts to Doorways: Jesus, Cosmology and Creation” | David Wilkinson
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
In the enlightening sermon, “Jesus, Cosmology, and Creation,” delivered by Dr. David Wilkinson at New Hope, we explore the profound connections between science and faith, anchored firmly in our mission to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ. Dr. Wilkinson, with his unique background in both astrophysics and theology, guides us through the intersection of scientific discovery and spiritual faith, demonstrating that the vastness of the universe magnifies, rather than contradicts, the creative power and purpose of Christ.
He articulates that Christ is not only supreme in revealing God’s nature but also in the orchestration of all creation and its ongoing sustenance, aligning with our value of being Rooted in God’s Word. This sermon encourages us to see Jesus as the ultimate answer to the big questions of purpose, existence, and moral guidance, affirming our belief that true understanding comes from embracing both faith and rational inquiry.
Dr. Wilkinson challenges us to consider how Jesus’ supremacy in all things calls us to reflect on our personal commitment to living out our faith in a complex world. This reflection is vital as we strive to Reach the World for Jesus Christ, promoting a message of reconciliation and love that transcends scientific and cultural boundaries.
Call to Action: Engage with this message further by joining our discussion groups that explore science and faith, helping to fortify our commitment to living and sharing a faith that embraces all aspects of truth. Discover more about how you can contribute to this dialogue and uphold our values by visiting our message archive.
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Q&A Session
After the service, David Wilkinson spent time answering questions. Unfortunately, due to a technical problem, the Q&A video is incomplete, but you can watch most of it below.
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April 7, 2024 | "Living on Fire For God” | Joseph Boettger
Embrace a fervent faith with Joseph Boettger’s sermon "Living on Fire for God," challenging believers to reject lukewarm Christianity and passionately serve Christ.
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
Joseph Boettger’s sermon, “Living on Fire for God,” delivered with the fervor of a committed youth, challenges us as the New Hope community to embody our faith beyond the church walls. Drawing insights from Revelation 3:16, Joseph cautions against spiritual complacency, urging us to be zealously engaged in our faith, not lukewarm but burning with passion for God. He posits that being ‘on fire for God’ means a life of no compromise, where our actions consistently reflect the transformative power of Christ within us. This aligns with New Hope’s mission to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ by being rooted in God’s Word, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and reaching the world for Jesus Christ (What We Believe). Joseph encourages us to scrutinize our spiritual fruits, to engage actively in sharing the Gospel, and to live a life distinctly set apart for God. This week, let each of us embrace the call to step out of our comfort zones, to share Jesus’s love in tangible ways within our communities, thereby embodying the values of love, grace, and bold faith that define us as followers of Christ. For more enriching sermons, visit our message archive (Message Archive).
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January 7, 2024 | "Fresh Starts Fervent Prayers: Just Pray" | Rev. Dan Parrish & Rev. Lavetta Pope
Uncover the essence of authentic prayer with Pastor Dan Parrish and Pastor Lavetta Pope in 'Just Pray', a sermon from 'Fresh Starts, Fervent Prayers', focusing on sincere communication with God.
9:30 AM - Traditional Service - Rev. Dan Parrish
11:15 AM - Praise Service - Rev. Lavetta Pope
Summary:
In her introduction to the sermon series "Fresh Starts, Fervent Prayers," Pastor Vicki Harrison emphasizes the critical role of prayer in guiding and energizing the church's activities. She challenges the common practice of making plans first and then seeking God's blessing, advocating instead for beginning with prayer to discern God's direction. Pastor Vicki asserts that while many understand the mechanics of prayer, the true, transformative power of prayer might not be fully grasped by all. She expresses a firm belief that prayer can profoundly impact individual lives, families, the church, the community, and even the world.
Emphasizing this belief, Pastor Vicki announces a series of activities to focus on prayer's power. These include a call for the congregation to participate in a morning fast every Thursday, with the option to fast from various things like food, phones, or social media, and to pray specifically for the church and God's guidance. Additionally, she invites the congregation to attend the Wednesday night prayer gathering, assuring them of a welcoming and powerful experience.
In her closing remarks, Pastor Vicki expresses excitement and anticipation for the changes and blessings she believes God will bring to the church, setting an enthusiastic tone for the upcoming series and sermons.
In his sermon “Just Pray,” during the 9:30 hour, Pastor Dan Parrish emphasizes the simplicity and power of prayer, drawing inspiration from the book of James. He encourages the congregation to engage in prayer not as a formulaic exercise, but as a sincere, open-hearted dialogue with God. This approach aligns with New Hope’s mission to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ, highlighting the importance of being rooted in God’s Word and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Parrish’s message is a call to trust in the transformative power of prayer, to let go of the need for perfection in our prayer practices, and to embrace a direct, trusting communication with God. This reflects New Hope’s values of loving Jesus, caring about all people, and following God’s guidance. To deepen your understanding and practice of prayer in alignment with our mission, visit New Hope’s Mission and explore related teachings in our Message Archive.
In the 11:15 hour, in her empowering sermon “Just Pray,” Rev. Lavetta Pope explores the profound simplicity and power of prayer, drawing from James 5:13–18. She emphasizes that prayer is not just a ritual but a dynamic communication with God, shaping our lives and aligning us with His will. This message resonates deeply with New Hope’s mission to be rooted in God’s Word and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Rev. Pope encourages us to approach prayer as a necessity, a command, and a lifestyle, irrespective of life’s circumstances. Whether in trouble or joy, prayer remains our constant source of strength and connection with God. This aligns with New Hope’s commitment to love Jesus, care for all, and follow God’s guidance. To further explore and embody these values, visit New Hope’s Mission. Delve deeper into the transformative power of prayer with related teachings in our Message Archive.
Pastor Dan Parrish' sermon from the 9:30 am service.
Pastor Lavetta Pope's sermon from the 11:15 am 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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