Sermons by Phil Pike

The Strange Leading of the Holy Spirit

Date: April 7, 2013

The great church in Philippi began, not through clever planning and brilliant strategy, but because of “failed” plans by a missionary team. They had planned to take the Gospel into Asia, but the Holy Spirit would not allow them to go there, and sent them instead to the city of Philippi where they were severely beaten and thrown into prison. Surely this could not be God’s will for them! Yet out of that hardship came a beautiful church. Are you learning to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, even when His plans don’t make sense?

The Incredible Exchange

Date: March 31, 2013

We’ve all been conned into a bad deal or two in our lifetime. But God comes to us this Easter weekend and offers us a deal that is so amazing, it would make no sense to refuse. He is inviting us to become part of the incredible exchange that took place on the cross and the empty tomb 2,000 years ago. That is when God took all of our sinfulness and placed it on Jesus, and God took all of His sinlessness and placed it on us, and for all who accept this offer, God no longer sees us as rotten sinners, He sees us righteous sons. Have you accepted this offer? It is the greatest deal you will ever make, and it will result in the greatest change you will ever experience!

Don’t Just Make a Living. Make a Life!

Date: March 10, 2013

God has a specific purpose for every one of us to play in His redemptive mission on this earth. He has a “life purpose” for us that is bigger than our “life provision.” The trouble is, we spend most of our life pursuing our provision instead of pursuing our purpose. Our life provision is how we make a living… our life purpose is how we make a life! Once you begin to discover your life purpose, you will discover a life of real meaning and joy far beyond the daily 8-5 grind, and you will then be able to live with confidence, knowing exactly what your role is in God’s great plan!

When God Intersects Your Path

Date: March 3, 2013

We all spend the first part of our life trying to build our own empire—getting the right education, finding the best career that will pay us the most money, buying a nice house, marrying the person of our dreams. But at some point, crisis slams into our life, and we begin questioning everything we’re living for. It is at this stage that we become most receptive to God’s voice. Unfortunately, many of us spend far too long in the first stage, ignoring the calls of God, and continuing to ask God to bless our plans instead of getting on board with His plans. But God created us for something bigger than building our own empire. He created us to build His kingdom! What stage of life are you in?

Pursuing What Really Matters

Date: February 24, 2013

Every day we are bombarded with messages telling us something else we need to buy in order to be happier, healthier or more comfortable. We are told that if we drive this particular car or wear this brand of clothes or live in this neighborhood, then we will be a notch above everyone else. But the problem is, as millions have discovered too late, none of those things are worth a dime when life is over. If we are ever going to be bold followers of Jesus, we must make absolutely sure we’re pursuing what really matters in the eyes of God.

Laying Everything On The Line

Date: February 17, 2013

Have you ever laid everything on the line for something? The truth is, we all take risks in life in many different ways — going from being single to being married, deciding to have children, stepping out to pursue our dream career. But have you ever risked everything for Jesus? Have you ever intentionally laid down your entire life to live His life instead? Yes, you may have trusted Jesus with your soul… but have you ever trusted Him with your life? He said if we’re not willing to do that, we will get to the end and realize we lost everything. But if we give up our life for His, we will discover what life is really all about!

Following Jesus, No Strings Attached

Date: February 10, 2013

Today’s advertising experts would have to admit that Jesus had the worst marketing campaign in history! Instead of advertising all the good things up front and putting the bad things in fine print, He came right out and said that if anyone wanted to follow Him, they first had to deny themselves, take up a cross, abandon every other allegiance in life, give up everything they had, and follow Him, possibly even to the death. He made it painfully clear that no one could be His disciple if they were still holding onto anything that came before Him. And still today, He requires that we follow Him, no strings attached!

Who is Really in Charge of Your Life?

Date: February 3, 2013

We’ve all seen funny or embarrassing things happen at weddings, but just imagine how stunned you would be to hear a bride standing at the altar refusing to forsake all others and give herself to her husband alone! Yet we think nothing of entering into a relationship with Jesus that very same way. Some people say, “I want to go to heaven when I die, but I don’t want Jesus ruling over my life!” The fact is, Jesus doesn’t give us that option! He demands exclusive ownership of every area of our lives. You may have received Jesus as Savior, but have you ever invited Him to be the Lord and Master of your life?

One Question You Never Want to Hear

Date: January 27, 2013

Imagine if Jesus called you and said He wanted to come by your house that evening to speak with you for a few minutes. As you excitedly invited Him into your living room, He took a seat right beside you, then turned to you and took your hand in His. Then He looked into your eyes with incredible love, and said very gently but with great concern, “Why do you call me Lord, and do not do what I say?” Can you imagine how your heart would sink? What does making Him Lord really mean, and how can we make sure we never have to hear that question?

Whatever He Says to You, Do It!

Date: January 20, 2013

The last time we ever hear Mary the mother of Jesus speak is when she points people to Jesus and says, “Whatever He says to you, do it!” After this, we never hear her speak another word in the Bible. What a powerful final statement to leave with the world, and it is still the greatest advice for anyone who will listen. If we ever hope to become bold followers of Jesus, we must make these words our life’s anthem, and be willing to do whatever Jesus tells us to do.

Another Year of Grace

Date: January 13, 2013

As 2012 falls from the calendar and we stand on the threshold of a brand new year, one thing we can all say for sure is that God has given us another year of grace! We’ve had another 12 months to live for Him, to grow in Him, to bear fruit for His kingdom… but what have we done with those opportunities? Are we closer to Christ today than we were this time last year, or has our relationship with Him drifted apart? Each new year God gives us to live is another year we don’t deserve — another year of grace. What will we do with this one?

Surrendering Your Future to God’s Will

Date: January 6, 2013

The night before Jesus went to the cross, He agonized over that step of obedience so deeply that the Bible says His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death! He asked His Father if there was any other way, but He concluded that prayer by saying, “…not my will, but Thy will be done.” Jesus was willing to surrender His future to God because he trusted His Father completely. He let go of everything that might have held Him back from total obedience. What about you? Is there anything holding you back from fully surrendering your future to God’s will?