"Use Me: Paul” | Rev. Roberto Chaple
This week, Pastor Roberto brings us the powerful story of Paul—a man whose life was radically transformed by the grace of God. Once a fierce persecutor of the church, Paul became one of its greatest missionaries. His story confronts us with this challenging question:
Why might God have chosen someone like Paul, a former persecutor of the Church to become a central figure in its growth?
Paul’s past was marked by violence, legalism, and pride. He hunted down believers and sought to destroy the movement of Jesus. But on the road to Damascus, everything changed. Jesus interrupted his path and revealed a calling far beyond what Paul could have imagined.
Pastor Roberto reminds us through Paul’s story that:
Your brokenness can become your boldness.
God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect—He calls us as we are.
True transformation starts with surrender.
God uses people who are willing to live on the edge of comfort, certainty, and control.
Paul didn’t begin with a clean record—he began with an encounter. And from that moment on, he lived on the edge: of danger, of faith, of radical obedience. He wasn’t safe, but he was surrendered.
This week, we’re challenged to stop playing it safe and start asking:
What subtle warning is found in the contrast between those who are “willing” and those who are “available”?
Discussion Questions
From the sermon:
Why might God have chosen someone like Paul, a former persecutor of the Church to become a central figure in its growth?
According to 2 Corinthians 11:23–28, what does Paul’s ability to thrive in hardship teach us about spiritual maturity?
According to Philippians 3:8, what deeper message lies behind Paul calling all his accomplishments “garbage” compared to knowing Christ?
How does Paul’s legacy challenge modern believers in their view of effectiveness?
What subtle warning is found in the contrast between those who are “willing” and those who are “available”?
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"Use Me: Mary Magdalene” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
This week in our Use Me series, Pastor Vicki shares the remarkable story of Mary Magdalene—a woman healed by Jesus, a leader among the disciples, and the first witness to His resurrection. Her story invites all of us to ask: What does God want to do through our brokenness.
This week in our Use Me series, Pastor Vicki shares the remarkable story of Mary Magdalene—a woman healed by Jesus, a leader among the disciples, and the first witness to His resurrection. Her story invites all of us to ask: What does God want to do through our brokenness?
Scripture tells us that Mary was afflicted by seven demons before encountering Jesus (Luke 8:1–3), but from that moment on, her life is changed. She becomes one of the women supporting Jesus' ministry and is consistently listed first among them. She’s there at the cross when the others flee (Matthew 27:55–56) and the first at the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1–7). Her healing becomes the foundation of her calling.
Pastor Vicki points out that Mary Magdalene’s past didn’t disqualify her. In fact, it was her testimony. She reminds us that:
Your past does not dictate your future.
True healing only comes from Jesus.
Jesus loves us just as we are—but loves us too much to leave us that way.
God uses those who simply show up.
Mary didn’t have a title or public platform. What she had was availability. Her presence—faithful, persistent, and bold—made her a part of history.
Mary, once afflicted by seven demons (Luke 8:1–3), was transformed by her encounter with Jesus—becoming a devoted follower and leading supporter of His ministry.
Discussion Questions
From the sermon:
Mary Magdalene had seven demons before Jesus healed her. What does her transformation say about God’s willingness to redeem our past?
What parts of your story do you feel might disqualify you? How could God use them for His glory instead?
Jesus loves us just as we are—but not enough to leave us unchanged. How do you see His transforming love at work in your life?
Mary kept showing up, even when things were hard. What does it look like for you to keep showing up?
Are there places in your life where God is asking for availability more than ability?
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Your giving is an act of worship. Your giving supports the mission and ministry of New Hope. We are changing lives, renewing the church, and transforming communities, here and abroad.
More Sermons in this Series
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"Use Me: Simon Peter: A Rocky Character” | Rev. Roberto Chaple
Simon Peter was bold, brash, and deeply flawed—and Jesus still called him. In this kickoff to the Use Me series, Pastor Roberto Chaple shows how God works through imperfect people with willing hearts.
This week we begin our new series Use Me: Beauty in the Broken with a powerful message about the disciple Simon Peter. Pastor Roberto reminds us that God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect before calling us—He meets us in our mess and shapes us into vessels for His mission.
Peter’s story is deeply human. A fisherman turned apostle, he was impulsive, passionate, courageous, and flawed. He walked on water and then sank in doubt. He declared loyalty to Jesus, then denied Him. But through grace, repentance, and restoration, Peter grew into a steadfast leader of the early church.
This message explores how our words, works, and wants reveal our true character. And how, through Jesus, even our brokenness can become the foundation for spiritual growth. You don’t have to fix yourself before God can use you—what matters most is your desire to follow Him.
“Beyond your words and works, God is interested in your wants.”
– Pastor Roberto
Discussion Questions
How would you describe Peter’s character at the start of his journey with Jesus? What stood out to you about his transformation?
In what ways have your words, works, or wants not always aligned?
How have you experienced God working through your imperfections?
What does it mean to you that God changes us not based on who we were, but on who we can become?
Pastor Roberto asked, “What do you want?” — How would you honestly answer that today?
Simon Peter was bold, brash, and deeply flawed—and Jesus still called him. In this kickoff to the Use Me series, Pastor Roberto Chaple shows how God works through imperfect people with willing hearts.
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
Your giving is an act of worship. Your giving supports the mission and ministry of New Hope. We are changing lives, renewing the church, and transforming communities, here and abroad.
More Sermons in this Series
Other Sermons from Pastor Roberto
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.
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
More Sermons
Other Sermons from Pastor Roberto or Guests
March 17, 2024 | "Disruptions: Disrupting The Crowd” | Pastor Roberto Chaple
"Discover the transformative power of bold faith with Pastor Roberto Chaple's sermon 'Disrupting the Crowd.' Learn from Bartimaeus how to be unstoppable and unapologetic in pursuing Jesus, no matter the opposition. #BoldFaith #UnstoppableBeliever #DisruptTheCrowd"
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
In “Disrupting the Crowd,” Pastor Roberto Chaple inspires us with the story of Bartimaeus from Mark chapter 10, emphasizing the power of persistence in faith despite opposition. Through Bartimaeus’s story, we learn the importance of being unstoppable and unapologetic in our pursuit of Jesus. This sermon teaches us that true ministry often happens amidst disruptions and that Jesus values our faith and determination over our social status or physical abilities. In our journey with Christ, we are encouraged to disrupt the internal and external crowds that hinder our relationship with Him. This call to action invites us to raise our voices louder in prayer, praise, and worship, living boldly for Jesus without letting anything or anyone deter us. Let’s embrace this message, moving from a passive to an active faith, demonstrating our trust in Jesus’s power to transform lives.
For more insights and inspiration, explore our values and mission at New Hope here, and discover how we embody being rooted in God’s Word, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and reaching the world for Jesus Christ here. Reflect on previous messages that resonate with “Disrupting the Crowd” at our message archive below.
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