Sermons on Joel Osteen:

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

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

A Story Of Perplexing Generosity

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Sep 20, 2023

How do we respond to God's generosity? How do we live in comparison with others? What does Grace have to do with it?

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

Prayer, With Thanks, Brings Peace

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 21, 2023

A Thanksgiving sermon focusing on prayer, with thanks, which gives peace - in Christ Jesus.

11.22.23 Philippians 4:6–7 (EHV) 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Prayer, With ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Come, Lord Jesus, Just Like Fire

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 30, 2023

Isaiah prays for the Lord to come down like fire and shake things up. What for? It's the Advent Prayer.

12.3.23 Isaiah 64:1–9 (EHV) 1 Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and come down. Mountains then would quake because of your presence. 2 As fire ignites stubble and as fire makes water boil, make your name known to your adversaries. Then nations would quake in your presence. 3 You did ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

The Local New Testament Church - "its Magnificence" Series

Contributed by Joel Winters on Nov 30, 2023

Magnificence = EXCELLENCE; SPLENDOR

1. Magnificent because of its Founder. Matthew 1:23; Philippians 2:5-11 2. Magnificent because of its Love. 1 John 4:10 3. Magnificent because of its Blood. Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7 4. Magnificent because of its Truth. 1 Timothy 3:15-16 5. Magnificent because of its Intercessor. Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

There Once Was A Man Named John

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 15, 2023

John the Baptist was on a mission from God. We have a mission too - to testify to the Light.

12.17.23 John 1:6–8 (EHV) 6 There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as an eyewitness to testify about the light so that everyone would believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. There Once Was a Man Named John Some people are ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Immanuel: The Greatest Christmas Gift We Never Asked For

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 21, 2023

Ahaz and the people of Judah had rejected the LORD - yet He kept reaching out - and gave them a beautiful promise - Immanuel!

12.24.23 Isaiah 7:10–14 10 The LORD spoke to Ahaz again. He said, 11 “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God. Ask for it either in the depths below or in the heights above.” 12 But Ahaz responded, “I will not ask. I will not test the LORD.” 13 So Isaiah said: Listen now, you house of David. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

Denomination: Lutheran