LifePoint Church in Greenville, SC

Sermons by Phil Pike

The Danger of Holding Grudges

Date: August 21, 2022

Everyone has stories of a relative who got offended about something at Thanksgiving dinner 40 years ago, and they still won’t speak to the family today! Holding grudges is like cancer. It spreads and kills if left untreated; but worst of all, it withholds the forgiveness from others that God has already shown to you. If someone has hurt you and you’re finding it hard to forgive them, come and hear what God’s Word says about it. You’ll gain the insight and encouragement you need to free the other person from the clutches of resentment, and you will free yourself at the same time!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:20 — 46.6MB) | Embed

God is Still Good When Things are Bad

Date: August 14, 2022

Where do you turn when life turns bad? What do you when your world is filled with chaos, heartache or pain? If you are in a place right now where you feel broken, empty and alone, and it seems like God is miles away, don’t stay there another minute! God is waiting for you to turn around and come back to Him. He will meet you with open arms of forgiveness, but He will go far beyond that… He longs to pour out His goodness and blessings upon you, and to restore the wasted years in your past. Even when things are bad, God is still good, so run to Him today!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:02 — 40.8MB) | Embed

The Destructive Consequences of Our Sin

Date: August 7, 2022

One little bug can’t harm a whole crop, but a swarm of locusts can devour and destroy an entire countryside in just minutes! We may not think that our “little” sins will ever harm anyone else, but the ripple effects might actually be felt for generations to come. The book of Joel describes a time when God’s people and their land suffered complete devastation as a result of their sin, and there was only one way to fix it. God called them to be genuinely brokenhearted, to repent of their sin, and to return to Him. If they did this, He promised to restore what they had lost and pour out His blessings upon them once again. If you are away from God right now and suffering the consequences of your sin, you don’t have to stay there! Return to Him today and receive the forgiveness and blessing He longs to give you.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:14 — 48.3MB) | Embed

Does Everyone Deserve God’s Grace?

Date: July 31, 2022

“Grace.” It’s a beautiful word and something that we all hope will be shown to us when we sin. But could you name people who you feel don’t deserve grace — people who have personally wronged you and hurt you, or those who are committing terrible evil in the world in general? If so, this message will help you see that you don’t deserve grace any more than they do, and yet God has lavished His grace upon you. The Bible says you have been given grace upon grace! Having freely received God’s grace despite our sin, do we really have grounds for withholding grace from others? Maybe it’s time to find out for sure!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:16 — 40.1MB) | Embed

Do You Need a Second Chance?

Date: July 24, 2022

There are certain opportunities in life that only come your way once. If you miss them, you’ll never get a second chance. But you should be encouraged to know that God doesn’t treat us that way when we fail Him. He is a God of fresh starts and new beginnings who is patient and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love. When we sin, God has every right to cast us aside forever, yet He forgives all who come to Him and restores them to useful service again. If you’ve failed in some way or you’ve turned away from God, turn back to Him now. He is ready to give you a second chance!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:14 — 40.1MB) | Embed

The Blessing of Being Humbled

Date: July 17, 2022

The refining furnace that God sometimes puts us in is both necessary and beautiful. He places us there because—simply put—we need it. Being humbled tests us, proves us and drives us to God; and ultimately, anything that does that is a blessing! Don’t resent those times when God is breaking you of yourself. Thank Him for it and trust in His unfailing wisdom and goodness.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Prior to bringing this second sermon in the Unravel Part 4 series, pastor Phil was away for several months recovering from a heart attack and open-heart surgery. That is the reason for the time gap between the first and second sermon in this series.

You can watch the first sermon from Jonah chapter 1 entitled: “God’s Mercy in Our Failures” by clicking this link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:54 — 48.0MB) | Embed

God’s Mercy in Our Failures

Date: January 23, 2022

Most people think that the Book of Jonah is all about a man being swallowed by a huge fish, but actually it’s all about God’s incredible love and mercy for everyone, even those who hate Him. Chapter 1 shows us that even when we disobey God and bring trouble into our lives, He is still ready and eager to provide a way out and bring us back to Himself.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
About 30 minutes after preaching this sermon, pastor Phil suffered a heart attack and underwent quadruple bypass surgery. He was out for several months recovering, and that is the reason for the time gap between this sermon and the next sermon in this Unravel Part 4 series.

He returned to the pulpit on July 17, 2022 and resumed the series with a sermon from Jonah chapter 2 entitled: “The Blessing of Being Humbled” which you can watch by clicking this link.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:22 — 40.2MB) | Embed

What Is Baptism All About?

Date: January 2, 2022

To people outside the church, baptism seems like a strange ritual. Why dunk people under water? What does that mean, and what does it accomplish? Does getting baptized mean you’ll go to heaven? Can anyone be baptized? In this brief message we’ll answer those and other important questions by seeing what the Bible actually says about baptism.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:55 — 20.9MB) | Embed

Longing for His Return

Date: December 19, 2021

Have you ever been stuck in a faraway airport after a long, exhausting trip, watching one flight after another being canceled? You’re tired and hungry, and all you want in that moment is to be home! The struggles and trials of life often remind us that our real home is in heaven, and make us wish we could be there now. In the midst of it all, remember, Jesus is coming back, and when He does, all things will be made new!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:03 — 41.7MB) | Embed

Rejoicing at His Birth

Date: December 12, 2021

Expectant parents eagerly await the birth of their first baby, and when it arrives, they share the good news with everyone! The birth of Jesus was highly anticipated and joyfully announced by angels. But sadly, Jesus was hated and rejected most of His life, even right up to His death. This Christmas, let’s take some time to fully appreciate all that He endured to bring salvation to us.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:25 — 40.2MB) | Embed

Waiting for His Coming

Date: December 5, 2021

For generations God’s faithful few waited for the promised Savior to come. But as the evil around them grew darker by the day, the flame of hope in their hearts flickered and almost went out. Still, they waited faithfully, and when the Savior finally arrived, He brought light into their dark world. Are you in that light today, or are you still walking in darkness?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:44 — 36.9MB) | Embed

Remembering What God Has Done for You

Date: November 28, 2021

In the rush of life it’s easy to get distracted and lose sight of what’s most important. The Bible tells us again and again to set time aside to remember all that God has done for us. If you’re feeling far away from God or wondering if He still cares about you, the best thing you can do is to stop and recall how his mercy and grace have changed your life. Why not pause right now and give Him the thanks He deserves.

You may find this sermon on a similar topic helpful: “Being Thankful in All Circumstances”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:06 — 32.6MB) | Embed

X