Sermons from John

The Mirage of Earthly Hope

Date: July 23, 2023 | Speaker: Phil Pike

What are you depending on to keep you firmly anchored when the storms of life begin to blow? Your 401k? Your good health? A secure job? Friends or family? While those things may offer peace of mind today, there’s no guarantee any of them will be here tomorrow. In a society driven by the pursuit of possessions, wealth, and pleasure, it is vital to recognize the profound importance of placing your trust and hope in something greater than the transient offerings of this world. There’s only one place to find that unfailing security and eternal peace, and you can find it today!

Your Last Chance to be Saved

Date: July 16, 2023 | Speaker: Phil Pike

On May 18, 1980, the volcano inside Mount St. Helens erupted. For two months, authorities had warned everyone in the vicinity to evacuate, and everyone did, except for one man. Harry Rainel Truman refused to leave his small cottage at the base of the mountain, and on that fateful day, he was buried beneath 150 feet of debris. He heard the repeated warnings, but he chose to ignore them. Many people are just like Truman. They hear God’s invitation to be saved before judgment comes, but they refuse to listen. Tragically, a day is coming when they will hear that warning for the final time, and then the door of opportunity will close forever. Today, while you hear God’s voice, respond to Him before it’s too late!

The Danger of Cold Christianity

Date: June 25, 2023 | Speaker: Phil Pike

If you have surrendered your life to Christ and you faithfully live for Him, then the idea of ever forsaking Him is absolutely unthinkable to you! But don’t get too comfortable. It’s entirely possible to forsake the Lord even while still believing in Him, attending church, and having all the outward appearances of a devoted Christian. We can obey Him out of cold, rigid obedience, and yet have hearts that are miles away from Him. We can say we love Him, but not have an active, vibrant relationship with Him. So, what about you? Have you lost the passion you once had for the Lord? Come back to Him today. He longs to restore the closeness you once enjoyed!

What Kind of Love is This?

Date: May 14, 2023 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Imagine seeing a job listing for someone willing to always be the lowest employee in the company; to be hated and ignored by everyone; to be lied about and ridiculed, and to eventually be fired for the wrongs that others had done. Who in their right mind would apply for that job? The amazing thing is, when Jesus came to earth, He willingly accepted a role far worse than that! He left heaven and submitted himself to the cruel hands of men; was hated and rejected by the very people He came to save; suffered indescribable anguish and physical abuse at their hands, and was finally nailed to a cross for the sins they had committed. What kind of love would cause Him to do all that? It’s the greatest love the world has ever known, and He did it all for you!

God’s Sustaining Power

Date: February 5, 2023 | Speaker: David Cannon

Living in this world can be difficult. Jesus even warns us of the trouble and sorrow we will have. He also describes the way to His Kingdom as a hard way and few will choose to travel it. But for those who do choose to follow Christ in this way, God promises them a power to sustain them. He is able to keep those who are in covenant with Him, and He will be faithful to do it to the very end. Join us as we look at the wonderful promise of God’s sustaining power.

Saying Yes to a Costly Call

Date: January 22, 2023 | Speaker: Phil Pike

God called Isaiah to spend the rest of his life preaching to a rebellious nation, and was told that no one would listen to his message. That was a difficult assignment! God also calls us to step out and obey Him in various ways throughout our life, and those calls are seldom convenient or easy. Saying yes to God always comes with a cost. It requires laying aside our own desires and plans, and even being willing to suffer and die, if necessary. The call may be hard, but there is no safer, more rewarding place to be than right where God is leading you! Will you be ready to answer God’s calls when they come?

The Comfort of the Incarnation

Date: December 18, 2022 | Speaker: Phil Pike

The good news of Christmas is for those who are tired of seeing sin and bad news everywhere, especially in themselves. It’s easy to become weighed down and discouraged by the constant battles of this life, but having the assurance that—because Christ came the first time, He is most certainly coming again—fills us with comfort and hope. We can look beyond the unrest that we see around us and that we sometimes see within us, and we can be comforted by the guaranteed promise of His return and the eternal life that awaits all those who have trusted in Him as their Savior! Do you have this comfort today?

The Cost of the Incarnation

Date: December 11, 2022 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Imagine how shocked we would be to hear that all the world’s richest, most powerful people had abandoned their fortunes and moved into the worst part of town without even a penny to their name! We simply couldn’t imagine anyone doing that, and yet, someone actually did. When Jesus came to earth to rescue mankind from sin, He had to lay aside His glory and splendor, and He had to exchange His royal title as the Son of God to be called a lowly Son of man. He lived a life of poverty, ridicule and rejection, and in the end was put to death like a criminal. It cost Him everything to die for us… is it costing us anything to live for Him?

The Mystery of the Incarnation

Date: December 4, 2022 | Speaker: Phil Pike

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember that there is something far more important than that baby in the manger, the shepherds in the fields and the wisemen bringing gifts. The fact is, if that baby wasn’t truly the Son of God in the flesh, then all those events are meaningless. Some religions say that Jesus was nothing more than a good teacher, but how can we prove otherwise? Is there a reason why the only one who could forgive sins and redeem fallen man had to be both fully God and fully man? Join us for today’s message as we explore the most important doctrine in the entire Bible — the Incarnation of Christ.

Desperate for Jesus

Date: November 27, 2022 | Speaker: Phil Pike

In our culture of platform building and rising celebrity status, we forget that Jesus values the least. He places honor on the poor, the broken, the messy, and the marginalized. Lepers in Jesus’ day were outcasts of society. They had absolutely no status and were looked down on as untouchables. Yet, when Jesus encountered 10 lepers pleading for help, He treasured each one of them, heard their cries, and healed them. All of us can identify with those lepers more than we may realize. Our lives have been eaten away by sin and we desperately need Jesus to cleanse us. Are you desperate enough to call out to Him for help and receive the healing He offers?

Are God’s Judgements Fair?

Date: October 30, 2022 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Some people think that God is being unfair when He dispenses justice and judgement, yet they also think it’s unfair when justice and judgement are not handed down to someone who has wronged them. God has put certain unbreakable physical laws in place, and He has also put immutable spiritual laws in place… break either of them and you will suffer the inevitable consequences. Is there something you feel that God has been unfair about? Always remember that His law is perfect and His judgements are always right, even if it doesn’t feel that way. Be assured that you can trust Him, regardless of how things look today.

Broken But Blessed

Date: October 2, 2022 | Speaker: Phil Pike

One of the most remarkable details about the life of Christ is often overlooked. The Bible tells us that on the same night Jesus was betrayed; on the same night Peter denied Him; on the same night he was falsely accused, beaten and spat upon… he gave thanks. He gave thanks! How was He able to be thankful even when facing the most excruciating trial of His life? It’s because He trusted His Father’s plan completely and He knew with absolute certainty that even when He was being broken, the very trial that was breaking Him had already been blessed by His Father. We are also called to give thanks in all circumstances, but do we have that same level of trust in our heavenly Father’s plan for us?

You may find this sermon on a similar topic helpful: “Remembering What God Has Done for You”