Sermons on Joel Osteen:

Approach The Throne With Confidence

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 19, 2025

Afraid of God? Sure that God can't help you or won't? Think again. This text encourages to approach the throne of grace with confidence.

3.9.25 Hebrews 4:14–16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest, who has gone through the heavens, namely, Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Lutheran

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

The Great Reveal

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 28, 2025

Paul speaks of veils and unveiling in a comparison of law and gospel on a Transfiguration Sunday. A deep text to work through.

3.2.25 2 Corinthians 3:7–18 (EHV) 7 If the ministry that brought death (which was engraved in letters on stone) came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look directly at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (though it was fading), 8 how will the ministry of the spirit ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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 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

The Opposite Of Karma - Repent

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 22, 2025

How do things work in this world? Good for good? Bad for bad? Nope. Repent.

3.23.25 Luke 13:1–5 (EHV) 1 At that time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 He answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things? 3 I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

United Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 28, 2023

As a church, we are in the process of transitioning from traditional Sunday School classes to home-based community groups. In this process, we are going to take a few weeks to consider what it means for us to be a biblical community. We begin with the consideration that we are united.

Introduction Series on biblical community in preparation for the launching of community groups next month we will look at a variety of passages, but most of our time together will be in the book of Ephesians Background Diversity There were cultural, ethnic, and religious divisions in the city - ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

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

Rough Beginnings Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 11, 2023

In this sermon, we consider the back story of the letters to the Thessalonians - the founding of the church. It's tumultuous beginning helps us to understand a bit of the environment into which the new church was planted and some of the ongoing struggles they faces.

Pre-quals Every story has a back story. We may not always gain insight into the back story, but there are things impact characters and cultures. When George Lucas wrote the original Star Wars series, he had in his mind some of the events leading up to the movie that many of us were first ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Let Me Tell You A Story Of Perplexing Generosity

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Sep 20, 2023

Does God's generosity make you angry? How do we live in God's kingdom in comparison with what other people are doing and we are doing?

9.24.23 Matthew 20:1–16 (EHV) 1 “Indeed the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing to pay the workers a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 He also went out about the third hour and saw ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran