In Sermons:

Do You Hear? Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 12, 2025

How do you respond to what you hear from the Word of God?

Do you hear what I hear? Noel Regney was born in France in 1920. He studied music in conservatories in both Paris, France and Strasbourg, Germany. Though being French, he was drafted into the Nazi army during WWII. He did not like the what the party stood for and secretly worked as a part of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-21

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 5, 2025

Jesus faced some things that we may see as unexpected as he dined with a Pharisee and welcomed a motley group of followers.

There are a variety of ways in which we set expectations. Sometimes cultural norms - like a handshake or a hug - set certain expectations. Sometimes we have expectations based on tradition - for example how to set a table or what you do on holidays. You may have performance expectations set by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Finicky Faith Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 28, 2025

John, while in prison, sent representatives to Jesus to ascertain whether or not he is the one - Jesus provided proof and then affirmed John’s ministry, sinners repented, Pharisees rejected/scoffed, Jesus confronted the finicky faith of the generation

During World War II, a congregation in London faced bombings nightly. In the midst of fear, their pastor encouraged them to gather for prayer. One night, after a particularly intense bombing, he found a soldier praying with fervor. When asked why he prayed amidst such chaos, the soldier replied, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem Of Suffering And The Panacea Of Our Savior Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 21, 2025

When in Jesus' ministry of healing and teaching, he addresses the reality of the suffering that we experience and solves the root problem of our suffering - sin.

It’s not uncommon for people to ask the question, “why do bad things happen to good people?” Or to state it another way, “if God is good, why do bad things happen?” It can sometimes feel like the worst things in life happen to some of the best people. At times it can feel like God is out to get ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

A New Kind Of King For A New Kind Of Kingdom Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 17, 2025

On Palm Sunday, people clamored for Jesus to be their King. In the sermon on the plain, Jesus seems to lay out some things that help us to see who the Kingdom people are, what they should value, and how they should live.

Today is a day that has become known as Palm Sunday, celebrating the day of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Here, near the end of his earthly ministry, people had watched in wonder at 2-3 years of authoritative teaching, profound miracles, and even resurrections. They had become enamored ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-49

Denomination: Baptist

On The Mountain With God Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 31, 2025

Throughout the Bible, the motif of the mountain has been instrumental in the lives of God's people. Here in Luke 6, Jesus ascends the mountain to pray - giving us an example and an invitation.

Mountain Top Experiences Throughout the Bible we find a motif or a theme of mountain experiences. Mountains in the ancient world were seen as places where the things of heaven and things of earth intersected. In Scripture we find mountains as a places where surrender happens, where communion with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Lord Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 24, 2025

The rhythms that God laid out for his people included a day of rest called the Sabbath. In Luke 6:1-11, Jesus has two confrontations with the Pharisees about what is allowed on the Sabbath.

Religious groups and churches have patterns or rhythms weekly worship monthly communion Liturgies Annual festivals or meals Muslims have the month of Ramadan where they fast during the day, give alms, and feast at night Hindus have Diwali and specific celebrations tied to their deities Jews have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Radical Invitation Of Jesus, From Exclusion To Celebration Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 17, 2025

In the calling of Levi, Jesus reshapes what discipleship looks like and who qualifies to be a disciple. Would we invite the "Levi's" of our day to follow Him?

Introduction: Is Jesus “woke”? In other words, is He someone who is sensitive to or aware of the injustices experienced by the marginalized? If Jesus were walking on earth today, gathering disciples, would He do so along DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) ethical standards? Would he try to choose ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-39

Denomination: Baptist

Strange Things Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 17, 2025

As Jesus ministered in the region of Galilee, He did some things that some thought to be strange. As a result they glorified God!

A few years ago, there was a series release on streaming services called “Stranger Things.” The series took place in a small town where strange events were happening - supernatural encounters, weird creatures, fissures into things that seemed like a mirror image of our world. It was truly filled ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Following Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 3, 2025

While all of us come to faith from a variety of different circumstances, the calling of Simon helps us to see that there are some commonalities among all conversions

When you and I come to faith in Jesus Christ, we do so from a variety of different circumstances. Some are younger (I was 5). Some are older - I know a woman who was in her late 80s when she came to faith. Some have lived simple lives, others have lived rather rambunctiously. Some have come ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Jesus To You? Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 24, 2025

We all face judgments from other people. Jesus faced that too. As He began his earthly ministry, Jesus experienced two completely different responses from two different towns. How will you respond?

People make judgments about us all of the time. It’s not so much that they are judgmental, but that they get to meet us or get to know us based on certain associations. I know, by virtue of the fact that I’m a pastor, when I introduce myself to people, they make an immediate judgment. If they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-44

Denomination: Baptist

Some Truths About Temptation Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 18, 2025

Jesus' temptation in the wilderness gives us some insights that we should keep in mind as we face temptation.

Luke 4:1–13 ESV And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, The Son Of God Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 18, 2025

The genealogy of Jesus reveals several things to us - but primarily his heritage as the Son of God.

In recent years, ancestry and genealogy has been a growing trend. One of the largest and most popular ancestry companies was sold 4 years ago for $4.7b. There is something in us that wants to understand more about where we are from and from whom we descend. Unfortunately, for many of us, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

A Part To Play Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jan 13, 2025

John had a brief but profound ministry, fulfilling the part that God called him to play in order to prepare for the coming of Jesus.

There have been several times over the last few months that I have been reminded about the importance of even small parts on teams or in performances. back up quarterback who comes in for one play because his speed or gift could help move the ball down the field Ballerina who comes in for a single ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Priorities Of Jesus And His Family Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jan 7, 2025

This passage seems to reveal how Mary, Joseph and Jesus prioritized God’s things in their routines, regards (or affections), and relationships.

Today, as we continue our study in the book of Luke, we come to a rather peculiar passage that provides a rare glimpse into Jesus’ childhood. The other gospels vary in how much they share about Jesus before his public ministry begins. Matthew devotes about 48 verses to Jesus’ early years (some of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Baptist