“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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“You Will Receive Power: The Holy Spirit in the Church” | Pastor Vicki Harrison
Pastor Vicki Harrison shares how the Holy Spirit empowered the early church in Acts 2—and still empowers us today. Discover how the Spirit unifies believers, equips the church with spiritual gifts, fuels worship, and leads the church into mission.
This week’s message explores what it means for the church to be truly empowered by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Vicki challenges us with a sobering quote from A.W. Tozer:
"If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference."
In Acts 2, we see the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost: a mighty wind, tongues of fire, people speaking different languages and understanding one another, and 3,000 people coming to faith in one day. That was the power of a Spirit-filled church.
Pastor Vicki reminds us that the same Holy Spirit is still with us today—not a different Spirit, not a diminished one. The Spirit transforms ordinary church gatherings into vibrant, world-changing movements that embody the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Through Acts 2:42-47, we see how the Holy Spirit shaped the early church into a community of unity, generosity, worship, and mission. The Spirit unified people from different backgrounds, equipped believers with spiritual gifts, fueled their desire for God's fullness in worship and prayer, nourished them through comfort and teaching, and empowered them to engage in spiritual warfare against darkness.
We are challenged to examine how much of what we do in our own churches relies on human effort versus the power of the Holy Spirit. A Spirit-empowered church is not simply a good organization or a social gathering—it becomes an extension of heaven itself.
Discussion Questions
From the sermon handout:
What were some ways that the Holy Spirit led and guided the early church, as we read in Acts 2?
What are some real ways the Holy Spirit empowers the church today?
The Holy Spirit allows the church to experience unity. What are some ways you have seen Jesus’ church embody the unity of the Spirit? Have you also seen disunity? Explain.
The Holy Spirit equips and empowers the church for ministry. How does the Spirit use spiritual gifts in the church? Do you know your own spiritual gifts? Are you using them to build up Jesus’ church?
The Holy Spirit gives the church a desire for his fullness in worship and prayer. Explain the difference between the omniscient presence of God and the manifest presence of God in worship. Have you experienced the manifest presence of God? Explain.
The Holy Spirit nourishes and comforts the church. How have you personally experienced this?
The Holy Spirit empowers the church to engage in spiritual warfare. How does what’s going on in the spiritual realm affect the church?
Do you believe that a Spirit-empowered church can be an extension of heaven?
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“Sealed by the Spirit” | Pastor Vicki Harrison
In this message from Pastor Vicki Harrison, explore what it means to be sealed by the Holy Spirit from the moment you believe. Learn how the Spirit assures, convicts, empowers, and transforms.
The Holy Spirit is not a reward for spiritual elites—it is a gift promised by Jesus the moment we believe.
This week, Pastor Vicki teaches from Ephesians 1 and John 16, focusing on what it means to be sealed by the Holy Spirit. A seal represents ownership, protection, and permanence. When we say yes to Jesus, the Spirit marks our lives, offering assurance, conviction, guidance, and power.
This message invites listeners to reflect: Where are you in your understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit? Are you skeptical, uncertain, or longing for more? The Spirit isn't meant to be a mystery we avoid—but a daily reality we embrace.
You are not alone, and you are not powerless. You are sealed, assured, and empowered by the Spirit of God.
Discussion Questions
From the message handout:
Where are you right now, as far as your understanding of the Holy Spirit?
I am not sure about the Holy Spirit. I’m skeptical.
I know the Holy Spirit exists, but I haven’t felt him at work in me yet.
I think I’ve felt His work in my life, but I’m not sure how to describe it.
I know He’s working in my life, but I’m afraid of what others might think if I start talking about it. He’s working in my life, and I’m hungry for more.
I know He is at work in my life and I’m fully embracing it.
What does it mean that we are sealed by the Spirit as believers?
What are some practical ways we experience the power of the Holy Spirit as individual believers?
The Holy Spirit assures us of our salvation.
If you have said yes to Jesus as Savior, do you have complete assurance that you will spend eternity with Him? Why or why not?The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and guides us in the right direction.
How do you define conviction? Do you experience it?
Have you been led by the Spirit? How do you experience the Holy Spirit guiding you?The Holy Spirit gives us power to do what God calls us to do.
How has the Holy Spirit called you to do hard things?
When is the last time the Holy Spirit called you to get out of your comfort zone?The Holy Spirit helps us become the people God designed us to be.
Is there evidence of the Spirit growing fruit in your life?
Are you intentionally working to become more like Jesus?
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January 5, 2025 | Wesleyan Covenant Service | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Rev. Vicki Harrison’s sermon at the Wesleyan Covenant Service explores John 15's depiction of Jesus as the true vine, emphasizing the critical need for believers to remain in Christ to live fruitfully and fulfill their call as His disciples.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
In her sermon at the Wesleyan Covenant Service, Rev. Vicki Harrison delves into the meaning of true discipleship through the lens of John 15, where Jesus describes Himself as the true vine. She challenges the congregation to consider their relationship with Jesus, emphasizing the importance of abiding in Christ to bear fruit in their spiritual and everyday lives. The service is a call to self-examination and rededication, encouraging everyone to reflect on their faithfulness as disciples of Christ. Rev. Harrison underscores the necessity of continual connection with Jesus, likening it to a vine providing life-sustaining sap to its branches, and stresses the role of pruning in fostering spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
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October 27, 2024 | “Worship: What Is Worship? Spirit and Truth” - Rev. Roberto Chaple and Charles Hodge
Worship transcends personal preferences and consumer mentality; it’s about offering our entire being to God as a living and holy sacrifice, aligned with Romans 12:1-2. This sermon explores how true worship is not about receiving but giving—giving our hearts, minds, and bodies in service to God, as guided by our values at New Hope. Join us in rediscovering worship that’s cooked not to our liking, but as God desires—a heart-made worship that transforms and aligns us with His will. Let’s break away from the consumer mentality and enter a worship that transforms and connects us deeply with God’s purpose for our lives.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
Worship transcends personal preferences and consumer mentality; it’s about offering our entire being to God as a living and holy sacrifice, aligned with Romans 12:1-2. This sermon explores how true worship is not about receiving but giving—giving our hearts, minds, and bodies in service to God, as guided by our values at New Hope. Join us in rediscovering worship that’s cooked not to our liking, but as God desires—a heart-made worship that transforms and aligns us with His will. Let’s break away from the consumer mentality and enter a worship that transforms and connects us deeply with God’s purpose for our lives.
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October 6, 2024 | "Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit!” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Explore the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in Pastor Vicki Harrison’s sermon, as she unpacks its role in guiding, empowering, and renewing our faith. Discover how to actively engage with the Spirit in your life.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
In her enlightening sermon “I Believe in the Holy Spirit!” Pastor Vicki Harrison guides us through the Apostle’s Creed, emphasizing the transformative and affirming power of the Holy Spirit. She elucidates the essential role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, from affirming our status as children of God to empowering us with spiritual gifts and ensuring our growth to be more Christ-like. Pastor Harrison passionately invites the congregation to embrace and seek more profound experiences with the Holy Spirit, advocating for a bold and dynamic engagement with our faith that transcends conventional worship.
This sermon invites us all to deepen our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. It’s a call to actively pursue spiritual gifts, embrace the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives, and ultimately transform how we live and worship. To explore this further and to see how you can get involved in spiritual growth activities at New Hope, please visit New Hope’s mission and learn more about our values.
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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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September 1, 2024 | "From Doubts to Doorways: Faith and Suffering” | Rev. Roberto Chaple
Explore how life’s storms can deepen your faith in “Faith and Suffering,” a sermon by Pastor Roberto Chaple from the “From Doubts to Doorways” series, emphasizing growth through challenges.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
Pastor Roberto Chaple’s sermon “Faith and Suffering” delves into how storms in life can deepen our faith. Using metaphors like sailing and storms, he explains that we can’t always avoid life’s challenges, but we can harness them to strengthen our relationship with God. He discusses different types of storms that challenge faith, such as science, unanswered prayers, and difficult questions about exclusivity in salvation. Through biblical references and personal stories, he encourages taking responsibility for our actions, moving forward from past sufferings, and seeing trials as opportunities to grow closer to God. The sermon concludes with a powerful call to live out our faith, even when it leads to personal sacrifice, embracing the promise of resurrection and hope beyond our trials.
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August 4, 2024 | “So The Next Generation Will Know” | Julie Hamilton and the Next Gen Team
“So The Next Generation May Know” by Julie Hamilton emphasizes the importance of passing on Christian faith to the younger generations. She discusses the necessity of fostering relationships with young people in church, not just as a duty but as a privilege that enriches the community. Hamilton underscores that young people need mentors and friends within the church who view them as integral parts of the congregation. Her message is clear: the church must actively engage and include young people to ensure the faith continues robustly into the future.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
“So The Next Generation May Know” by Julie Hamilton emphasizes the importance of passing on Christian faith to the younger generations. She discusses the necessity of fostering relationships with young people in church, not just as a duty but as a privilege that enriches the community. Hamilton underscores that young people need mentors and friends within the church who view them as integral parts of the congregation. Her message is clear: the church must actively engage and include young people to ensure the faith continues robustly into the future.
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March 24, 2024 | "Disruptions: The Fruit of Disruption” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
In the sermon "God Breaking Through in the Everyday Interruptions," Pastor Vicki Harrison enlightens us that the disruptions in our daily routines are not mere obstacles but potential divine appointments orchestrated by God. Drawing from Jesus' ministry in Mark 1:21-28, she illustrates how Jesus' most impactful acts and teachings often unfolded amidst interruptions. These moments were not distractions but opportunities for profound spiritual encounters and transformations.
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
In "The Fruit of Disruption," delivered by Pastor Vicki Harrison at New Hope, the message revolves around the transformative power of disruptions in our lives, seen through the lens of faith. Pastor Vicki reflects on a recent mission trip to Cuba, illustrating how dire circumstances there have fueled a remarkable growth in faith and reliance on God. Despite facing severe shortages and governmental oppression, the Cuban churches are experiencing revival, with many coming to faith amidst their struggles. This, she suggests, is a powerful testament to finding hope and joy in Jesus Christ, regardless of our circumstances.
The sermon also explores the biblical narrative of Palm Sunday, emphasizing how a seemingly small disruption – the request for a donkey – facilitated a momentous event in Jesus' ministry. This act of obedience by the donkey's owner led to Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecy and declaring His kingship. Pastor Vicki uses this story to underscore the idea that disruptions, whether they come in the form of divine callings or life's trials, can lead to significant spiritual fruit.
Drawing parallels between the experiences of the Cuban church and the Palm Sunday story, Pastor Vicki encourages the congregation to embrace disruptions as opportunities for growth and ministry. She challenges believers to respond to God's call with obedience, even when it disrupts our lives, and to maintain a posture of rejoicing in the face of adversity. The sermon concludes with a call to reflect on how we deal with disruptions and to choose praise over lamentation, trusting that God works all things for good for those who love Him.
This message aligns closely with New Hope's mission to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ by loving Jesus, caring about all people, following God's guidance, living out the truth with grace, and being open to taking risks and making bold decisions (findnewhope.com/whoweare). It also reflects the church's values of being rooted in God’s Word, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and reaching the world for Jesus Christ (findnewhope.com/what-we-believe).
Through "The Fruit of Disruption," Pastor Vicki invites the congregation and viewers online to see disruptions not as inconveniences but as divine appointments that can lead to deeper faith, renewed purpose, and broader impact for the kingdom of God.
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January 28, 2024 | "Fresh Starts Fervent Prayers: Stories of Prayer" | Rev. Vicki Harrison
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
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
In the recent sermon, “Stories of Prayer,” part of the “Fresh Starts, Fervent Prayers” series at New Hope, Pastor Vicki Harrison and a panel of guests shared powerful personal testimonies on the transformative impact of prayer. This aligns closely with New Hope’s mission of making more and better followers of Jesus Christ through being ROOTED in God’s Word, RENEWED by the Holy Spirit, and REACHING the world for Jesus Christ.
The sermon highlighted the essence of prayer as a life-changing force. Testimonies ranged from experiences of divine intervention in times of financial struggle, healing from physical and emotional pain, to the profound impact of prayer on personal and professional life decisions. Each story illustrated a deep reliance on God, echoing New Hope’s values of loving Jesus, caring about all people, following God’s guidance, and living out the truth with grace.
The panelists’ experiences reiterated the belief that prayer is not just a ritual but a dynamic conversation with God, capable of altering lives and strengthening faith. In line with New Hope’s belief in the Bible as the source of all truth, scriptures like Mark 11:24 and James 5:13–16 were cited, emphasizing the power and effectiveness of prayer.
As a call-to-action, we encourage you to deepen your prayer life, reflecting on your own ‘Stories of Prayer’. Whether you are facing challenges or celebrating joys, let prayer be your steadfast companion. For further inspiration and guidance, explore our previous sermons in the “Fresh Starts, Fervent Prayers” below.
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January 21, 2024 | "Fresh Starts Fervent Prayers: Effective Prayers" | Rev. Roberto Chaple
In his insightful sermon "Effective Prayers," Pastor Roberto Chaple emphasizes the power and significance of prayer in aligning ourselves with God's will. He elucidates that effective prayer is not about attaining what we desire, but about surrendering to God's plan. Through various biblical examples and personal anecdotes, Pastor Chaple illustrates how prayer transforms us, helping us move from self-reliance to complete dependence on God. He also explores the different ways God may respond to our prayers—sometimes with a clear answer, sometimes in silence, and at times with a gentle redirection. This sermon invites us to a deeper understanding of prayer as a journey of trust, surrender, and transformation.
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
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11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
In his insightful sermon "Effective Prayers," Pastor Roberto Chaple emphasizes the power and significance of prayer in aligning ourselves with God's will. He elucidates that effective prayer is not about attaining what we desire, but about surrendering to God's plan. Through various biblical examples and personal anecdotes, Pastor Chaple illustrates how prayer transforms us, helping us move from self-reliance to complete dependence on God. He also explores the different ways God may respond to our prayers—sometimes with a clear answer, sometimes in silence, and at times with a gentle redirection. This sermon invites us to a deeper understanding of prayer as a journey of trust, surrender, and transformation.
Embrace the transformative power of prayer in your life. Start each day by surrendering your plans to God’s will, and join us in our commitment to being a praying church. Explore more about our mission and values here, and revisit powerful sermons on prayer here.
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November 22 , 2020 | Give: Investments in Eternity
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November 15 , 2020 | Give: Let It Go
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November 8 , 2020 | Give: Extravagant Giving
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November 1 , 2020 | Connect: Who's Feet Are YOU Going to Wash?
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October 25 , 2020 | Connect: The Triple Braided Cord
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October 18, 2020 | Connect: The Cure For Loneliness
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October 11, 2020 | SERVE: Life On Mission - You Are Sent
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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.