Sermons by Phil Pike

Unwavering Faith in Troubled Times

Date: July 21, 2024

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

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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God May Be Silent, But He is Not Absent!

Date: July 7, 2024

Does it ever feel like God is absent during life’s chaos? Have you wondered if He is involved in the mundane details of your existence? God often moves in ways we cannot perceive or understand, but always remember that just because God is silent, it does not mean He is absent. The question is, can we trust Him even when we don’t see Him? Our faith is proven in those moments when it seems that God is nowhere to be found. When today looks like just another series of random events, can our eyes of faith see beyond the circumstances, knowing with certainty that God is silently at work in it all?

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The Glorious Future That Awaits You!

Date: June 16, 2024

What gives you certainty in such an uncertain world? How do you keep your fire for God alive when weariness or doubt set in? The Bible paints a vivid picture of a day when Christ will return to eradicate evil and rescue His people. Until then, we must live in this broken world, and the waiting can leave us weary and discouraged. Yet, no matter how dark things seem now, this glorious future is the certainty that inspires us to persevere, remain passionate for God, and find joy in knowing that we will be with Him forever. All tears will be wiped away, and all things will be made new. This is the promise that should fuel an unshakable hope in the heart of every believer!

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Escaping the Trap of Empty Religion

Date: June 9, 2024

Have you ever found yourself going through the motions of Christianity without truly engaging your heart? Our relationship with God can easily turn into empty routines and religious rituals, so we must guard against this subtle danger. God desires our spiritual service to flow from a vibrant relationship with Him, not from forced habits or the need to keep up appearances. When the world sees God’s truth, mercy, and love radiating through us, they will be drawn to Him. Take a moment today to reflect on why you do what you do for God. Make sure you can honestly say, “Lord, I’m doing it all for you!”

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Strength for Today, Hope for Tomorrow

Date: June 2, 2024

When faced with a daunting task that looms before you like a mountain, where do you turn for the strength to sustain you today and the hope to carry you through tomorrow? This sermon reminds us that we don’t need to face life’s challenges alone. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have an inexhaustible supply of power for today, and through the sure promise of Christ’s return, we have an anchor of unwavering hope for a glorious future. Our coming Savior is both our Priest and our King—the answer to our desperate need for redemption and righteous rule. Do you lack strength for today’s battles? Do you lack hope for the future? Find encouragement in the truth of God’s Word today!

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God’s Promise of Love and Restoration

Date: May 26, 2024

In this world, we can never be entirely certain that those who profess to love us will remain by our side during our darkest moments of failure and sin. Past experiences have left us guarded and skeptical, doubting that unwavering, unfaltering love truly exists. To make matters worse, Satan continuously tries to convince us that we’re unworthy of love. Thankfully, we have one friend who has never abandoned anyone and has promised to love us despite our shortcomings. He is the very life within us, a wall of protection around us, and the hope we have for today and for all eternity. Do you know this one true friend?

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Persevering When it Seems Pointless

Date: May 19, 2024

You’ve been laboring diligently for God, but the results don’t seem as impressive as you’d hoped. Maybe your service, your ministry, your attempts to live for God feel small and insignificant compared to others or your own past experiences, leaving you asking, “Was God ever in this? Is He truly with me?” Don’t be discouraged. God has not abandoned you. Even if your efforts for Him seem trivial, they will never be in vain! God can do immeasurably more than you can imagine even through the smallest act of obedience, so remain faithful and leave the results to Him.

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Overcoming Spiritual Complacency

Date: May 12, 2024

One of the great dangers of the Christian life is not that we will suddenly decide to hate God, but rather, that we will slowly grow cold towards Him as time goes by. The cares and pursuits of this world can diminish our passion for God little by little until it is nothing more than a dying ember. Perhaps you’ve unintentionally drifted from your first love and now your life feels empty and aimless. Ask the Spirit of God to stir the fire in you and make the Lord your greatest treasure once again. When you value Him above all else, your heart and priorities will naturally follow, leading you back to the only source of true fulfillment, and giving your life the meaning and direction you long for!

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Faithfulness in the Face of Opposition

Date: April 21, 2024

Have you ever started something for God, only to face discouragement and opposition that made you want to quit? In the book of Ezra, the Israelites encountered this very situation as they rebuilt the temple. But through the preaching of God’s Word, their passion was reignited, and they were empowered to persevere. Despite opposition, the people returned to the task with renewed vigor. Discover how staying close to God’s Word can help you overcome attacks, despondency, and spiritual decline. If you’ve grown weary in your journey, find encouragement in His Word today. It will guide, strengthen, and empower you to carry on, even in the most challenging of times.

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God Can Move the Immovable

Date: April 14, 2024

God can work in surprising ways to accomplish His purposes in your life. Just as He stirred the heart of a pagan king to release the Israelites from exile, God can use unexpected people and circumstances to move on your behalf. Regardless of the opposition or obstacles that stand in your way, take heart knowing that no barrier is too great for our God to overcome! Even what seems like chaos is orchestrated by God’s unseen hand. When problems or discouragement arise, trust in God’s faithfulness and power, knowing that He can do the impossible!

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We Are God’s Holy Temple

Date: April 7, 2024

Throughout the Old Testament, God gave meticulous instructions for how worship was to be conducted in the temple, because that was where His glory resided. No one was at liberty to worship God according to their own whims or preferences. Today, this holds even greater significance for us because, as Christians, we are now the temple of God, and His presence dwells in us! Knowing that the Creator of the universe lives in us by His Spirit is an extraordinary honor but also a profound responsibility. Do we take this privilege seriously? Is our inner sanctuary a place that reflects God’s honor and glory?

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