The Difference Easter Makes

Date: April 12, 2009

Topics: Easter, Resurrection, Salvation

In a world of false advertising and empty promises, it’s no wonder people are skeptical. Products promise to improve our lives, but very few live up to their claims. The Bible also makes some pretty outrageous claims of how the risen Lord promises to change our lives, but the question remains… “What difference does Easter really make?” Because Jesus conquered sin and death, our past can be forgiven, our present can have meaning, and our future can be secure!

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Where Are Your Choices Taking You?

Date: June 2, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

It’s funny to watch two children staring at the last slice of pizza or the last piece of birthday cake, trying to decide who will get it. Even as adults, we find ourselves racing other people to the closest parking space, or arranging details to be sure we get with the biggest portion of a business deal. When we let our desires lead us instead of asking God for direction, we will never end up where He wants us to be. So, what is driving your choices in life right now?

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Getting Back on the Right Path

Date: May 26, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

When we fail God, our first tendency is to hide from Him. But He graciously invites us to come back to Him so that He can restore us by His grace. When our relationships with people become strained, we prefer to avoid them, too. Days can turn into years, where even family members refuse to speak to each other, all because no one is willing to take the first step toward peace. Let’s follow Abram’s example. He humbled himself in order to resolve conflict so that God would be glorified through the situation.

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Fears That Hide Our Faith

Date: May 19, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

It sometimes seems easier to trust God with the big issues in life than it does to trust Him with our daily needs. When trials and fears build up, they often loom so large that they blind us from seeing the truth of God’s promises. In those moments, our faith crumbles and we rush to find immediate solutions rather than resting in God’s timing. Are there any areas right now where you are allowing fear to hide your faith and overshadow God’s truth?

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When Trust Turns Into Trials

Date: May 12, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Have you ever stepped out to follow God, only to discover when you got to where you were going, that it didn’t look anything like you thought it would? Has your obedience ever been followed by trials and testing? This is exactly what happened to Abram after he obeyed God’s call. It all started out very different than he must have imagined, but at just the right time, God fulfilled every one of His promises. If you are faithfully following God, but your life isn’t what you hoped for, keep trusting Him. He will not steer you wrong.

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Don’t Stop Short of God’s Call

Date: April 28, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Growing up we were all taught the importance of finishing what we started. This is certainly good advice to live by, but it is even more important in our walk with God. Sometimes we leave things undone that God’s Word has already told us to do, simply because we don’t want to deal with them. We follow where God calls us, but only as long as we’re comfortable. A life lived this way will never see all that God has in store, but will, instead, have to be content with hearing the stories of great faith from those who chose not to settle for less.

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Reactions to the Resurrection

Date: April 21, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

The followers of Jesus all had different reactions to hearing the news that He had risen from the dead. One wanted to hold onto a feeling to be sure it was true. Others had to see it for themselves or be given physical proof before they would believe. We still struggle with similar reactions in our own Christian walk. Often our faith fluctuates based on how we feel, or by what we can see, but we must be sure our faith is anchored in something much deeper.

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Allowing Suffering to Reveal God’s Glory

Date: April 14, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

When we go through painful times of struggle or suffering, the one thing we want most from God is answers. We think that if He would just explain why He is allowing us to hurt so badly, things would be better. But the truth is, God’s explanations would only raise more questions. Answers are not what we need. Instead, we should pray for a fresh revelation of God’s greatness, because once we catch a glimpse of His greatness and glory, all of life and its struggles will be put into perspective, and we will be able to see that He is indeed in control and He knows what He is doing, even when we don’t understand.

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Abandoning Our Towers of Significance

Date: April 7, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

Every person ever born spends some portion of their life searching for significance, status, peace, identity, belonging, and a long list of things that they know are missing from deep within them. Sadly, we often try to build those things into our life through career advancement, relationships, pleasure, prominence and possessions, only to realize later that all the towers of significance we have constructed are empty. But there is one place where all of these things can be found in abundance, and you can discover that place today!

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It’s Time to Stop and Build an Altar

Date: March 31, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

The first thing Noah and his family did when the flood ended was to build an altar and give thanks to God for delivering them. Altars were piles of rocks that also served as reminders of God’s faithfulness to future generations. When is the last time you stopped and “built an altar” in some way to give God thanks for His goodness to you, or to serve as a memorial to your family of God’s faithfulness? Why not make time to do it this week. You’ll be amazed at the impact it will have on your life and on the lives of those around you!

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How to Escape the Coming Judgement

Date: March 24, 2019 | Speaker: Phil Pike

God gave Noah a ridiculous command to build a massive ship nowhere near water and prepare to load thousands of animals on board. But as foolish as this command sounded, Noah obeyed everything God told him to do. Because of his faith in God and his obedience, Noah and his family were saved from the judgement that soon came and destroyed the earth. God’s judgement is coming again, and no one will be able to stand against it on their own. But God has already provided a Way of escape. Do you know how to find it?

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