Sermons by Phil Pike

The Corruption of the Church, Part 2

Date: May 27, 2012

Over the centuries, false doctrine has made its way into the church in many forms, and today there are millions of people being taught things that are absolutely untrue. Many people are told to pray to Mary, that she was sinless, that she is a co-savior with Christ, and even that she rose from the dead and ascended to heaven! How is it possible that churches can teach such things when there is not one verse in the entire Bible to verify these false claims? How did such lies make their way into the church, and what should our response be?

The Corruption of the Church, Part 1

Date: May 20, 2012

When Jesus died on the cross, He opened the way for every believer to have direct access to God through Him. This new relationship was one of the foundational doctrines of the early church, but in 312 A.D. Emperor Constantine of Rome forced a system of lies into the church that completely distorted this biblical truth. Pastors were no longer seen as “Shepherds,” but were renamed Priests and wore visually intimidating robes to elevate themselves above the common man. Church members were falsely told that they now had to go through a Priest in order to reach God, and this began the corruption of the church which continues to this very day!

Church: It’s Not About Buildings and Steeples

Date: May 13, 2012

Ask someone to show you their church and they’ll point to the building where they meet on Sundays. But is that really a church? It is amazing to see just how far our understanding of church has drifted from the Book of Acts. If you had asked any follower of Christ in those days to show you their church, they would have called the other believers together, pointed to them and said, “Here is our church.” Today we think church is a place we go, but we couldn’t be more wrong! Once we regain a correct understanding of what the church really is, it will radically change how we see our role in it.

Church: Whose Idea Was This?

Date: May 6, 2012

Most of us who were raised in Christian circles will spend our entire life involved in the church to one degree or another. But what do we really know about the history of the church? Who started it, and why do we even bother being part of a 2,000-year-old organization, anyway? How has the church survived that long when most other organizations, and even entire nations, have long since failed and vanished from the face of the earth? Why are people willing to give their lives for the church, and exactly how big of a commitment should we be willing to make?

Communion Service (4/15/2012)

Date: April 15, 2012

During World War II, men in a prisoner of war camp were radically changed when they saw an innocent soldier lay down his life to save theirs. Decades after that event, they still remembered that soldier and paid tribute to his selfless sacrifice. Join us for today’s message as we pause to remember the ultimate sacrifice that was made for us when Jesus willingly laid down His life to save us. How has this great sacrifice affected you?

Grace That is Greater Than All Our Sin

Date: April 8, 2012

We have all done things in our lifetime that we know are wrong. Sadly, many people go through their entire life carrying the guilt and shame of things from their past, never feeling worthy, loved or accepted by God. But because Jesus died on the cross and rose again, we can break free from a life of guilt by receiving the forgiveness and grace He offers to us. Regardless of who you are or what you’ve done, God’s grace is greater than all our sin, and you can receive that grace today!

How to Conclude Your Life Well

Date: April 1, 2012

Solomon had everything a person could ever want, yet despite all his wealth and learning, he chose to live for the pleasures of this world and failed to consider the end of his life until it was too late. 1 Kings 11 says, “Solomon’s heart was not fully devoted to the Lord.” Although he knew the Word of the Lord very well, he failed to put it into practice in his own life, and so his life ended in heartache and regret. What about you? Are you living life with the end in view, making choices now that will keep your heart focused upon God so that you can conclude your life well?

Remember Your Creator While There is Still Time

Date: March 25, 2012

Solomon started out his life so well… following God with all his heart and choosing wisdom over riches, fame and pleasure. But somewhere along the way, he got his focus off of God and began pursuing other things, and because of this, Solomon’s life ended in misery and regret. Although he had everything his heart desired, he described the conclusion of all his pursuits are being empty and meaningless. As an old man, realizing the error of his ways, he urges all of us reading his words to remember God while we are still young, and keep our eyes upon Him all the days of our life.

Crossing Our Jordan Rivers – Part 2

Date: March 18, 2012

It’s one thing to read books about faith and hear stories about other people’s faith, but it’s another thing entirely when God calls us to step out on faith! The fact is, we can’t live on someone else’s faith. There comes a time in each of our lives when we must decide to either step out into an impossible situation and trust God completely, or turn and go the other way. Are you content to live your entire life just hearing stories about great faith, or are you determined to step out for God and have stories of your own to share with your grandchildren? God is looking for people to step out and trust Him wherever He leads. Will you be one of those people?

Crossing Our Jordan Rivers – Part 1

Date: March 11, 2012

God’s paths seldom make sense. Often in life God leads us straight into what looks like an impossible situation where even our best resources are not enough to get us through. This is how the Israelites felt when God led them to the banks of the Jordan River at flood stage and commanded them to step out into the water and go across! These moments are not obstacles, but opportunities to see God’s power displayed! Are we willing to trust God to make a way where there is no way?

Safe in the Hands of God

Date: February 26, 2012

Living a righteous life does not exempt us from suffering. In fact, the Bible says we often see the wicked getting what the righteous deserve, and the righteous getting what the wicked deserve. While this may leave us confused and unsettled, there is one thing we can know for sure—that we are all in God’s hands. Both the good times and the bad times of life are in God’s hands and under His watchful care. Even though you may not be able to make sense of the circumstances in your life right now, you can take great comfort in knowing that God is holding you safely in His hands!

What Will Be Written on Your Tombstone?

Date: February 19, 2012

Whether we realize it or not, we will all leave some kind of monument after we die that others will remember us by. The Bible warns us how important it is for us to live in such a way that we will not only have a good name while we’re alive, but that even after we’re gone, our good name will linger on as a sweet fragrance to bless the lives of those who follow. Each day we live we’re adding a new page to the memoir of our life. What are you writing on your page today, and what will be written on your tombstone when your life is over?