Stop Trying to Earn God’s Approval

Date: January 21, 2024

Book: Ezekiel, Hebrews, Jeremiah, Luke

Key Verse: Jeremiah 31:31–34

Topics: Apologetics/Doctrine, Covenant, Heart, Law, Righteousness, Substitution

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:24 — 42.1MB) | Embed

Are you still trying to earn God’s love by keeping a long list of religious rules? Does the constant effort to be good enough leave you weary and wondering if you will ever measure up? It’s time to let go of the burdensome shackles of performance-based religion and embrace the incredible benefits of the new covenant Jesus made possible through his sacrificial death on the cross. It’s no longer about observing external rules and regulations. Jesus fulfilled all of those old requirements on your behalf, washed all your sins away, and you can now stand completely righteous before God! Don’t live another day trying to please God through your own efforts. Start living in the new life of God’s grace, forgiveness, and acceptance!

Exchanging the Gavel for Grace

Date: February 8, 2026 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Have you ever noticed how quick we are to point out the sins of others, while conveniently ignoring our own? Jesus compares that to a huge plank jutting out of our eye while we fixate on the tiny speck in someone else’s. He calls us to deal honestly with our own sin first, inviting Him to expose and remove our blind spots. Only then will we see clearly enough to help another person. After all, when we stumble, we long for grace, not harsh judgment, so Jesus urges us to treat those who have fallen with that same generous measure. Are you wiling to lay down the gavel and show grace instead?

Overcoming Worry in an Anxious World

Date: January 18, 2026 | Speaker: Phil Pike

We live in the wealthiest, most abundant nation that has ever existed, yet we are the most anxious generation in recorded history. Anxiety is at an all-time high. The solution isn’t striving harder not to worry; it’s remembering these three foundational truths: we have a Father in heaven, this Father genuinely cares for us, and He has promised to provide what we need. When we live consumed by worry, we’re not just stressed—we’re actually telling our heavenly Father that we don’t believe He will take care of us. Trust is not the absence of problems, but a deep-seated confidence in the unfailing character and goodness of God. As we seek His kingdom first, anxiety loosens its grip, not because life gets easier, but because we trust the One who holds tomorrow.

The High Cost of Cheap Treasure

Date: January 11, 2026 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Imagine a grown man on a beach bragging about his towering sandcastle, only to watch the rising tide wash it all away. We’d call that foolish, yet we often live the same way—investing ourselves into accumulating earthly treasures as if they’re permanent. Jesus warns us about the danger of placing high value on things that will not last. More importantly, He reveals the truth that whatever we treasure most will capture our hearts and direct our lives. It’s fine to have possessions, but ask yourself: are you building sandcastles, or investing in the kingdom that will never end?

Children of Light: Peace vs. Trouble

Date: January 4, 2026 | Speaker: David Cannon

From the very beginning of creation, God desired to bring forth life out of darkness, so He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. This separation is representative of two opposing kingdoms; one to which His children belong, and one to which His enemies belong. Scripture tells us that God is light, and there is no darkness in Him, and those who belong to Him are children of light. Join us as we look at some of the attributes of each kingdom, and the separating choices each person will face as a reflection of the kingdom to which they choose to belong.

Stooping to Save: The True Cost of Christmas

Date: December 21, 2025 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Christmas draws our focus to the manger—the baby, the shepherds, the wise men. But have you ever looked deeper, past Bethlehem to see the whole story? The eternal Lord of glory didn’t cling to His rights or status; instead, He laid aside His privilege and became a servant, subjecting himself to mockery, torture, and eventually the shame of the cross. But the Christmas story doesn’t end in humiliation. Christ was raised from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in glory; and one day, every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will confess that He is Lord of all!

The Prayer That Reshapes Your Heart

Date: December 14, 2025 | Speaker: Phil Pike

You’ve probably said the Lord’s Prayer countless times, but have you considered that it’s more of a guide for living than a script to recite? First, our heavenly Father invites us to prioritize His holiness, His kingdom, and His will above all else. This puts every worry and desire in their rightful place. Then we’re called to walk in total dependence upon Him for everything from our daily needs to protection from evil. This prayer isn’t about religious formality; it’s about putting Him first. Doing so strips away our illusions of control and draws us into intimate, moment-by-moment reliance on Him.

How to Meet God’s Impossible Standard

Date: December 7, 2025 | Speaker: Phil Pike

It’s tempting to measure our spiritual life by external standards like church attendance, Bible reading, avoiding major sins, and then feel good about the comparison. But Jesus dismantles this scorecard approach by revealing that the true gauge lies much deeper. He points out that we’re guilty of murder if we harbor anger towards someone, and that lust is equivalent to adultery. This means no one can achieve the perfection God requires, but the good news is that Christ has already fulfilled every requirement and offers to credit His flawless record to us! Stop trying to improve your religious resume and simply receive the righteousness that only He can provide.

Salt & Light: Your Identity in a Decaying World

Date: November 30, 2025 | Speaker: Phil Pike

You carry within you something the world desperately needs. Like salt preventing decay, your commitment to God’s truth holds back the spread of moral rot in a culture drifting toward collapse. And like light piercing the night, a life lived openly for Christ provides direction for those stumbling in confusion and deception. As a follower of Christ, your very presence makes a difference in this world. Will you stand where God placed you, trusting that your faithfulness might be the lifeline that preserves others and guides them to salvation?

Redefining the Good Life

Date: November 16, 2025 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Every day we are offered endless definitions of happiness, each promising fulfillment if we would only chase harder, possess more, and climb higher. But Jesus invites us into His radical kingdom where true happiness emerges in the most unexpected ways. He turns the world’s ideas on their head, revealing that blessing belongs to those who pursue mercy and peace, devote their hearts to God, and endure persecution. These are the family traits of those who have been transformed by God’s grace, who have chosen to live in His upside-down kingdom. Which kingdom are you living in?

Coming to the End of Yourself

Date: November 9, 2025 | Speaker: Phil Pike

You’ve worked tirelessly to control life, earn approval, and construct your own version of happiness, but now you find yourself surrounded by all your exhausted attempts, realizing that you’ve come to the end of yourself. Congratulations! This is the moment that real change can happen. The kingdom of God isn’t for the proud or self-reliant, but for those willing to admit their own spiritual bankruptcy. True blessing, it turns out, is found when you’re empty of yourself and finally have room for Him.