Sermons on Joel Osteen:

What Is Greater? Man On The Moon Or God On The Earth?

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Sep 5, 2019

I switch things up a bit and do an extended illustration for this Sunday's sermon

9.8.19 What is Greater? Man on the Moon or God on the Earth? Just recently America celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11’s historic landing on the moon. Over 600 million people were estimated to have watched this historic event on July 20, 1969. When Neil Armstrong put made his ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Focus On Jesus Through The Fire

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jun 5, 2019

What is at the heart and core of Pentecost? It is the message of Jesus crucified and risen for the salvation of the world.

6.9.19 Pentecost Sunday - John 15:26-27 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also are going to testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.” A few weeks ago I tore ...read more

Scripture: John 15:26-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Amazing Faith, What Makes It What It Is?

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jun 20, 2019

We look at the centurion's faith to examine what makes someone's faith great.

June 23, 2019 Luke 7:1-10 Do you have a strong faith or a weak faith? How do you really know? Professor Becker once told the story of how he was convinced that he didn’t have faith when he was a child because the pastor said something to the effect of, “When you have faith you won’t worry ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

In Order To Be Exalted, I Need To Be Humbled

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Aug 26, 2022

God works through humility to give us grace

8.28.22 Proverbs 25:6–7 6 Do not honor yourself in a king’s presence. Do not stand in a place reserved for great people, 7 because it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than for you to be humiliated before a ruler. In Order to Be Exalted, I Need to Be Humbled Where’s my seat? You go to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:6-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Serving Jesus' Way Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 29, 2022

When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, he broke cultural conventions but also provided an example for his followers to emulate.

Surprised by Underwhelming Expectations I rarely introduce myself as Pastor. It’s not that I don’t want people to know the role I play, but I don’t want my title to become a barrier. Sure, it may open some conversations, but it may also hinder others as people might think I’m some holy man - ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Love Enough To Hate

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Aug 31, 2022

Jesus calls us to hate those we are supposed to love. How? Why? Find out.

9.4.22 Luke 14:25–35 25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Christian Education Is Basic. Listen, And Speak, About Jesus

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Sep 23, 2022

A sermon on the Shema, urging us to listen, love, and teach.

09.25.22 Deuteronomy 6:4–9 4 Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God. The LORD is one! 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words that I am commanding you today are to be on your heart. 7 Teach them diligently to your children, and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Lord, Increase Our Faith, To Pray

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 11, 2022

John talks about having confidence in faith so that we pray.

10.16.22 1 John 5:13–15 13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence that we have before him: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Increase Our Faith For Total Dependence

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 20, 2022

The rich ruler wants to know what to do for salvation. Jesus slams the door on him. Why? Find out.

10.23.22 Luke 18:18–30 18 A certain ruler asked Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one—God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery. You shall not murder. You shall not steal. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Bethlehem: Back Where He Comes From - For You

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 16, 2021

Micah prophecies the coming of the Messiah in dark and dismal times - to give peace and security.

12.16.21 Micah 5:2–5 2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, from you, will go out the one who will be the ruler for me in Israel. His goings forth are from the beginning, from the days of eternity. 3 Therefore the LORD will give them up, until the time ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5

Denomination: Lutheran

Enjoy The Gift Of Life In Jesus This Christmas

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 21, 2021

Jesus is revealed to us as God's gift of love and life.

12.24.21 1 John 4:9 This is how God’s love for us was revealed: God has sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we may live through him. Enjoy the Gift of Life in Jesus this Christmas Every Christmas we usually participate in a white elephant gift exchange of some sort, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:9

Denomination: Lutheran

Christmas Brings Freedom, As God Aims For A Low Salvation

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 22, 2021

God takes on flesh to conquer the Devil and give us freedom from fear

12.26.21 Hebrews 2:14–16 14 Therefore, since the children share flesh and blood, he also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death he could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) 15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Paul's Progressive Pilgrimage For 2022

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 30, 2021

Paul has a zeal that he wants us to mimic - in his drive to be with Jesus in heaven.

12.31.21 Philippians 3:12-14 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Salvation And Damnation. Who Gets What And Why? The Epiphany Is Clear

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 5, 2022

Paul reaches out to the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch, and they come to faith by the miraculous work of God.

January 9, 2022 Acts 13:46–49 46 Then Paul and Barnabas responded fearlessly, “It was necessary that God’s word be spoken to you first. But since you reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, look: We are now turning to the Gentiles! 47 For this is what the Lord has ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:46-49

Denomination: Lutheran

You're Married To God. Rejoice In It As He Rejoices

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 20, 2022

What a blessing to be married to God.

1.23.22 Isaiah 62:1–5 1 For the sake of Zion I will not be silent. For the sake of Jerusalem I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth shining brightly, and her salvation burns like a torch. 2 Nations will see your righteousness, and all kings will see your glory. You will be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran