How Christmas Changes Your Past

Date: December 3, 2017

Series: Christmas Past, Present and Future

Topics: Christmas/Advent, Encouragement, Failure, Forgiveness, Guilt, Restoration

Matthew begins his gospel by listing the genealogy of Jesus, and he includes people in that list who did some very evil things. Why would Matthew want to highlight the dirt instead of sweeping it under the rug? Because he wanted us to know that the forgiveness Christ came to bring is available to everyone, regardless of their past. Have you ever brought your past to Jesus, or are you still carrying it all by yourself?

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Inviting God into Our Broken Places

Date: September 22, 2024 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Are there broken places in your life that need repair—neglected relationships, a faith that’s withering, or cracks in your character? It’s tempting to ignore these areas, hoping they’ll heal on their own, but this only gives the enemy room to creep in. It’s time to take an honest look at the damage and bring it before God. He is the master rebuilder, eager to restore and strengthen you, transforming your life into a dwelling place for His glory. Will you invite Him into your ruins today?

The Cost of Holiness: Is it Too High a Price?

Date: September 15, 2024 | Speaker: Phil Pike

God calls us to live holy lives, reflecting His glory and purity in a world that often pulls us in the opposite direction. Holiness requires a conscious separation from the patterns and values of the world, because following God always involves surrender. Who or what has the greatest influence over your heart? Are these influences drawing you closer to God, or leading you further from Him? The call to follow Him is costly—requiring sacrifice, trust, and a realignment of priorities. But it’s also the only path that leads to true life. Are you willing to answer that call, no matter the cost?

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The Good Hand of God Upon Us

Date: September 8, 2024 | Speaker: Phil Pike

As you endeavor to solve problems, accomplish tasks and pursue your goals, remember that your success doesn’t depend upon your own strength or wisdom alone. It rests in the powerful, guiding hand of God. Do you ever pause to recognize how God is working in your life—opening doors, orchestrating circumstances, and meeting your needs? Yes, your planning and effort are important, but it’s God who leads, sustains, and empowers you to do anything of lasting value. In your journey of faith, pause often to thank God for His good and faithful hand upon you, acknowledging that without Him, none of it would be possible.

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The Significance of Our Actions

Date: September 1, 2024 | Speaker: David Cannon

The Bible has a lot to say about our actions. Most often this is described in Scripture as works or deeds. Unfortunately, many have a negative view of these words, but why is that? When we examine Scripture, we find that God has expectations regarding our actions, so it’s important that we understand what He says about them. Join us as we take a look at what the Bible has to say about our actions.

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Our Ultimate Victory in Christ

Date: August 18, 2024 | Speaker: Phil Pike

It’s thrilling to celebrate victories in life, whether it’s a significant personal accomplishment, a well-deserved business success, or a hard-fought spiritual battle! But as rewarding as these moments are, they are only temporary. Soon we realize that this warfare never ends because we live in a world of sin. It’s a sobering reminder that we need the ultimate rescue only Christ can give. By His death and resurrection, He conquered sin and secured eternal deliverance for all who put their faith in Him. Have you trusted in Christ for this everlasting victory?

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When Evil Seems to Triumph

Date: August 11, 2024 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Does it ever feel like the odds are stacked against you? Despite your faithfulness, do the wicked seem to thrive while you struggle to survive? Remember this: though evil may triumph temporarily, God’s justice will ultimately prevail. Trust in His timing and sovereignty, knowing that even in the darkest moments, He is at work, weaving together His perfect plan. Though the righteous may face threats from the enemy, rejection by friends or family, and even persecution in this life, a day is coming when every wrong will be made right, and the scales will be balanced once and for all.

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From Prayer to Action: The Path of Obedience

Date: August 4, 2024 | Speaker: Phil Pike

At times, we all face challenges so immense that they drive us to our knees. Seeking the Lord in prayer is always the best place to begin, but prayer without action is not obedience. Once we have committed the situation to God, we must then step out in faith and obey what He has called us to do. This step of obedience often leads us into the unknown, and that’s when we must remain keenly attuned to His still, small voice guiding us along the way. Whether you’re in a season of waiting, stepping out, or listening for God’s direction, trust Him with the outcome, knowing that He is orchestrating every detail for His glory and your good.

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Obeying God Despite the Consequences

Date: July 28, 2024 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Researchers estimate that we make nearly a billion decisions in our lifetime. While most of these are subconscious and minor, some decisions have the power to alter the course of our lives. As followers of Christ, we face daily choices to either surrender to God’s will or assert our own. Often we’re afraid to obey because the outcome is uncertain, but our obedience should never be swayed by the prospect of gain or loss. Is there anything holding you back from obeying God because you’re afraid of what it might cost you? Pray that your love for Him will deepen so profoundly that surrendering to His will becomes your heart’s desire and greatest joy!

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Unwavering Faith in Troubled Times

Date: July 21, 2024 | Speaker: Phil Pike

It’s easy to stand in a worship service surrounded by other Christians and sing, “Lord, I trust in you alone,” but is that really true of us in life’s hardest moments? When unexpected and unwanted circumstances come our way, are we immediately flooded with fear, or have we learned to rest in God’s sovereignty, fully assured that He is in control of it all? God’s Word can transform our perspective and deepen our trust in Him, giving us a firm foundation on which to stand even as the world around us seems to be falling apart.

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God’s Grace Amidst Our Failures

Date: July 14, 2024 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Imagine being torn from your home and thrust into a foreign land where Christianity is despised. Would you proclaim your faith in Christ or hide it to survive? Why did Esther choose to conceal her faith and do things clearly forbidden by God? Her choices challenge us to examine our own lives, realizing we might have done the same thing! Yet, even as we contemplate Esther’s story, we’re struck by an awe-inspiring truth: God’s providence and grace are so powerful that even our missteps can become part of His divine plan. This realization doesn’t excuse sin, but ignites a desire to live more faithfully, knowing that our human frailty is encompassed by God’s unfathomable love and eternal purposes!

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