Sermons on Billy Joel:

The Power Of Words

Contributed by Joel Bernardino on Jan 8, 2026

The Bible makes a powerful declaration: life and death are in the power of the tongue. This means our words are never neutral. Every time we speak, we are releasing something—either life or death, hope or discouragement, truth or confusion.

THE POWER OF WORDS Pastor Joel Bernardino - January 8, 2026 Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” The Bible makes a powerful declaration: life and death are in the power of the tongue. This means our words are never neutral. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21

Accountable Stewardship Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jan 12, 2026

In the parable of the minas, Jesus uses recent events to prompt His followers to be faithful stewards.

Introduction Herod ruled over Judea in the decades leading up to the birth of Christ. He was the same ruler (Mt. 2) ruler who killed hundreds of babies in response to the visit of the magi. As he was nearing the end of his life, he divided his kingdom between a couple of his sons. Around 4BC, he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 1:8, John 14:15-17, Romans 11:36, Acts 17:24-27, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Revelation 2:10, James 1:12, 2 Timothy 4:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Why Win Souls

Contributed by Joel Bernardino on Jan 13, 2026

Someone once asked the great preacher Lyman Beecher, “Mr. Beecher, what do you consider the greatest thing a human being can do or be?” Without hesitation, he replied, “The greatest thing of all is for one human being to bring another human being to Christ.”

WHY WIN SOULS? Pastor Joel Bernardino – January 13, 2026 Someone once asked the great preacher Lyman Beecher, “Mr. Beecher, what do you consider the greatest thing a human being can do or be?” Without hesitation, he replied: “The greatest thing is not that one should be a scientist—important as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15

The Pursuit Of Peace Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jan 20, 2026

There are a variety of ways through which peace pursues, but the peace that Jesus provides surpasses them all.

What is peace? Peace is something that we often long for in a variety of areas of our lives - interpersonal, political, financial, academic, even internal, and spiritual peace. Peace in all of these things is achieved through a variety means, but many of those means seem to contradict one another. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Quiet Counter-Attack

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 20, 2026

In a world that loves to go on the attack, how does Jesus respond when John is attacked? He fights back in a different way. A quiet but strong way, of repentance.

1.25.26 Matthew 4:12–23 (EHV) 12 When Jesus heard that John was put in prison, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 He did this to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 15 Land ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Rediscover Prayer As Listening Series

Contributed by Joel Bernardino on Jan 23, 2026

Prayer was never meant to be a one-way conversation. • It is a relationship. • And every healthy relationship involves listening.

REDISCOVER PRAYER AS LISTENING Pastor Joel Bernardino – January 23, 2026 Many believers still pray—but not all believers are truly listening. We treat prayer like a speech or a checklist. • “Lord, bless my life, my family, my work…” • “Lord, help me with my problem…” • “Lord, give me my heart’s ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, John 10:27, Psalm 46:10

The Prayer Of Surrender Series

Contributed by Joel Bernardino on Jan 29, 2026

The greatest prayers in the Bible were not prayers of petition, but prayers that said, “Lord, let Your will be done in me.”

THE PRAYER OF SURRENDER Pastor Joel Bernardino – January 30, 2026 Many of us pray daily. We pray for provision, healing, guidance, and protection. But how about the prayer of surrender? Many people think surrender is a negative thing. • As if you are losing • Sounds like giving up • Shows ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:42, Romans 6:13

Entrusted By God With Sacred Responsibility

Contributed by Joel Bernardino on Jan 31, 2026

Many people come to God asking for blessings. We pray for more time, more provision, more opportunities, more favor. But what if God’s goal is not just to bless us—but to trust us? What if every blessing we receive is actually a responsibility in disguise?

ENTRUSTED BY GOD WITH SACRED RESPONSIBILITY Pastor Joel Bernardino – January 31, 2026 Many people come to God asking for blessings. We pray for more time, more provision, more opportunities, more favor. But what if God’s goal is not just to bless us—but to trust us? What if every blessing we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Contesting The Christ Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 2, 2026

As Jesus enters the temple, He enters into a series of contests or conflicts with the religious leaders.

Introduction Worship wars - conflicts within churches and schools battling over styles of worship music. Hymns, tradition, theological richness Choruses, emotive, passionate Relevance vs. reverence New vs. old contests and grand conflicts can happen in religious circles in a variety of ways. the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Hear God Whisper To Your Fears

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Aug 11, 2023

God comforts Elijah at Mt. Horeb with words of comfort and strength.

8.13.23 1 Kings 19:9–18 (EHV) 9 He came to a cave and spent the night there. Then the word of the LORD suddenly came to him, saying, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Armies, but the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant. They ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Intimate Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 28, 2023

As we continue to reflect on what it means to be a biblical community, we've seen so far that we are united and the there are norms of that community. In this sermon, we'll reflect on the intimacy or nearness that we experience as a church.

? Possible Intro: ? The pandemic and our nation’s value of rugged individualism have wreaked havoc in our lives - more than we realize. ?I was listening to a podcast this week that contained a conversation between Russel Moore and Sam Alberry. Both are believers and apologists. Both attend ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3, Romans 5:5

Denomination: Baptist

Transforming Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 28, 2023

We are not who we once were and are not yet whom God is creating us to be. We are together as a church - being transformed or renewed.

The Second Best Day of My Life ? December 31, 1994 After 5 years of on and off dating, nearly 2 years of engagement Danielle and I got married. We assembled at her home church with close to 300 guests, 10 attendants, a few musicians, many family members, a Bible teacher, and a pastor We got dressed ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-22, Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

Yoked Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 5, 2023

Our unity as a biblical community is strengthened because we are yoked together - knitted together as members of one another with practical ethics that we are intended live out in order to foster that community.

YOKED Joel Gilbert / General CommU.N.I.T.Y. / Ephesians 4:25–32; Ephesians 5:1–2   Introduction There are organizations for people with any number of interests. Often, membership in these societies comes with an expectation for some advocacy or education, financial support, or simply ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Potter Reforms The Clay Into His Kind Of Pot

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 29, 2021

Reformation starts with repentance. A reflection on Jeremiah's words in light of the Reformation on October 31st.

10.31.21 Jeremiah 18:1–11 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Get up, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will reveal my words to you.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and he was making something on the wheel. 4 But the pot he was forming out of the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Guard Us Waking Oh, Lord, And Guard Us Sleeping

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 5, 2021

We prepare for the Final Judgment by obtaining WISDOM - in Christ, not fearing sleep or wake.

11.7.21 Daniel 12:1–3 1 Then at that time, Michael, the great prince who stands over your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress that has not happened from the first time that there was a nation until that time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran