In Sermons:

Peace In The Presence Of Conflict: Psalm 3 Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jun 7, 2026

True peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God amidst our difficulties.

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been considering the first two psalms. In many ways, those two chapters provide a helpful foundation for the rest of the psalter. Psalm 1 provides a wise perspective for an individual. Psalm 2 expands the scope by helping us see that God is sovereign over all ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, Ephesians 6:12, Hebrews 12:1, Isaiah 26:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Rooted Or Restless Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 24, 2026

Psalm 1 introduces us to the entire psalter by presenting us with the choice of two different ways to live - rooted or restless.

Over the next couple of months, we’ll begin a pattern of walking through the Psalms in the summer - hence the name “Summer Psalter.” Between now and Labor Day, we’ll examine one Psalm each week (we should finish around Psalm 16 this year). Next year, Lord willing, we’ll pick up where we will ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:19-21, Revelation 20:11-15, 2 Peter 3:9

Denomination: Baptist

The Kingdom Of God Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 18, 2026

In this final sermon on the book of Luke, we'll walk through each mention of the kingdom in order to glean what we should know about the Kingdom of God according to Luke's gospel

One of the things that has surprised me in our study of the book of Luke is the number of times that the kingdom of God is referenced - over 30 times. Over the course of the last 67 sermons, we have discussed various aspects of the Kingdom of God - what it is, who it entails, how to enter, what ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:14, Luke 1:30-33, Luke 4:43, Luke 6:20-22, Luke 7:28, Luke 8:1, Luke 8:10, Luke 9:1-2, Luke 9:10-11, Luke 9:23-27, Luke 9:60, Luke 9:62, Luke 11:2-4, Luke 11:20, Luke 12:29-34, Luke 13:18-30, Luke 14:15-24, Luke 16:15-17, Luke 17:20-37, Luke 18:15-17, Luke 18:24-30, Luke 21:29-33, Luke 22:14-18, Luke 22:25-30, Luke 23:42-43, Luke 23:50-51, Luke 10:8-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

He Is Risen Indeed! Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 11, 2026

As the disciples deal with doubt and disbelief, Jesus provides several helps for them and us as He spends time with them before His ascension.

Dealing with doubts Have you ever wrestled with doubts? I have from time to time. There are strange ways that doubts can sneak in. random thoughts seeing thin biblical proofs for certain doctrines suffering - of those around me faltering faith of trusted heroes or notable figures teachings that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-53, 1 John 1:1, Hebrews 13:20-21, Hebrews 10:12-14, Numbers 6:24-26, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

From Confusion To Clarity Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 4, 2026

As Jesus walks with two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, He moves them from confusion to clarity in their understanding of His identity and mission.

I would guess that most of us have been to the eye doctor at some point. If, like me, your natural vision is bad and declining, your visits to see Tom and Robin will be regular. When you sit in the chair, there are a variety of things that doctors will do in order to understand what you can see ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, Luke 4:23, Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 61:1-2, 2 Samuel 7:12-13, Deuteronomy 18:18, Genesis 3:15, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 110:1, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah 11:2, Zechariah 11:13, Psalm 22:6, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From The Empty Tomb Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 27, 2026

There are some lessons that we can learn from the empty tomb.

He is risen…He is risen indeed For centuries, Christians have used that call and response, especially on Easter Sunday. It’s a simple and brief call and response, but it proclaims one of the central truths of our faith - that Jesus is alive! Yes, He was crucified. Yes, He was buried. Yes, He is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12, John 14:6, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Luke 12:15, Colossians 3:16, John 10:10, 1 Samuel 15:22, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:13-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Philippians 3:8-9, Romans 5:9, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Psalm 14:1-3, Luke 18:31-33, Acts 17:11-12, Luke 18:34, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Is Image Everything? Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 20, 2026

The spectacle of the crucifixion has become a glorious spectacle of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ. This spectacle demands our attention and our response.

Spectacular Society Our culture is driven by sight. Back in the 80s, Andre Agassi famously stated “Image is everything” in a camera ad. Unfortunately, for Agassi, that statement has continued to haunt him - causing him to even regret that he ever agreed to do that commercial. And yet there are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:26-56

Denomination: Baptist

The Divine Exchange Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 13, 2026

A consideration of Jesus' trial before Pilate and Herod.

Our generation is no stranger to public outcries and opposition to the verdicts of the judicial system. With the ubiquity of smart phones and social media, everyone has become a journalist, judge, and jury in cases that capture the public’s attention. We make a judgment based on the information ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:1-25, Exodus 20:16, Luke 22:70-71, Acts 19:40, Luke 20:22-25, Luke 9:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Do The Ends Justify The Means? Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 6, 2026

As Jesus is tried by the religious leaders, we wrestle with the question - "do the ends justify the means"?

Throughout history and in various stories, people have gone to great lengths, doing wrong things for the right reasons. President Lincoln bent some laws in the least and may have broken some in order to end the scourge of slavery in our country - the wrong things for the right reason - in his case, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:63-71

Denomination: Baptist

On Friends And Foes Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 30, 2026

"With friends like these, who needs enemies." Jesus had both, and yet responded with grace.

With friends like these… In the early days of WWII, the Netherlands sought to maintain a position of neutrality. However, when the Nazi German army invaded the nation, the leaders of the Netherlands sided with the allied forces in opposition to Germany. On February 22, 1944, bad weather caused ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:47-65, Galatians 1:3-5, Luke 22:46, Isaiah 53:7, 1 Peter 3:13-17, John 18:10, Luke 22:34, Luke 22:3-5, Luke 6:16, Luke 9:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Strength In Surrender Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 23, 2026

As Jesus pleads His case before the Father on the Mount of Olives, He provides an helpful example for us as we go to God in in prayer.

Ways that we demonstrate strength wealth Physical Knowledge Force of personality Legal as Jesus prepares to suffer, he demonstrates that our strength comes not through ability or self- sufficiency, but through surrender. Luke 22:39–46 ESV And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:29-46, Luke 21:37, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:18, Luke 9:28-29, Luke 11:1, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15, Romans 6:23, Habakkuk 2:16, Psalm 22:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Acts 4:29-30, Colossians 1:24, 1 Kings 19:4-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Culture Of The Covenant Community Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 16, 2026

In response to arguments about whose the worst and the best, Jesus teaching his disciples about the covenant community principles of service and solidarity.

One of the things I love about Jesus is the way that He teaches. Now, in some ways, I would prefer a didactic, logical, clearly outlined type of teaching with points and sub-points that allow for a thorough understanding of a topic in a clear and succinct way- but that’s not the way that Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-38, Luke 9:46-48, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Isaiah 53:12, 1 John 2:1-2, Hebrews 7:25, 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, 2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 19:6-9, Hebrews 4:14-16, Luke 22:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Unseen Hand: Divine Providence In The Last Supper Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 9, 2026

As Jesus institutes the ordinance of communion with His disciples, He makes a startling comment that speaks to the Sovereignty and Providence of God.

At the beginning of January, several of us traveled to Louisville, KY for CrossCon - a missions oriented conference for your adults. Incidentally, we are planning on going again this next year (St. Louis, MO). Young adults, I’d love for you to join me. At the conference John Piper gave a talk ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:1-23, Acts 4:27-28, John 17:12, Psalm 41:9, Psalm 69:25, Psalm 109:8, Acts 4:23-31, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, Acts 1:15-19, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Exodus 12:8, 1 Peter 2:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Balancing Blessings Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 15, 2026

As Jesus continues to spend time in the temple, He makes some observations that provide some helpful insights for His followers.

People watching There are some people who have a hobby of “people watching.” It’s not necessarily creepy or stalking, just observing. My dad is one of those people. Whether going to a mall or an amusement park, before the advent of cell phones, he would just sit and watch people while the rest of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection And Revelation Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 10, 2026

Jesus addresses the rationalism of the Sadducees as He discusses both the resurrection and His identification.

Theological debates have baffled people as long as there have been humans on the earth. Adam and Eve wrestled with the Sovereignty and goodness of God and the Volition of Humans as they listened to the serpent and ate of the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3) Cain faced the balance between grace and justice ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-44

Denomination: Baptist