Sermons on Joel Osteen:

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

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

What Is The World To Me?

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 11, 2024

Naaman had a deadly disease, but he was freed from his disease freely and graciously. How did he respond? How do we respond? How did Gehazi respond?

10.13.24 2 Kings 5:14-27 When you get to be in your middle ages you need to start making appointments with the dermatologist, because you start to notice bumps and moles on your skin that are flaky or have potential for cancer. So the doctor or practitioner will come in with a little wand ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:14-27

Denomination: Lutheran

A Covenant Community Cares Faithfully Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Oct 22, 2024

As James concludes his letter to exiles, he does so with one final exhortation regarding how a Christian community should care for those who have fallen away from the faith.

Paul Confronts Peter approx. AD 40 Peter was eating with a group of Gentile believers - maybe a church picnic. He had shared the gospel with Gentiles and had received confirmation from the Holy Spirit that salvation is for them too. Some guys from James came to the same picnic - these guys where ...read more

Scripture: James 5:19-20, Psalm 119:11, Galatians 2:11-14, 2 Samuel 12:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Call Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Oct 22, 2024

Psalm 66 is a corporate Psalm of Thanksgiving or Praise in response to the work of God in the lives of the people of Judah. This introductory message looks at the first four verses and the summons to praise - reflecting on the context of praise, the command to praise, and the content of our praise.

Psalm 66:1–4 ESV Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:1-4, Exodus 14:21, Joshua 3:14-17, Philippians 4:6, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, James 2:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Birth Pains Are Worth It

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 25, 2024

Be careful! Be on guard against false teachings and teachers. These are warnings Jesus makes as we wait for Him to come again. Luther fought against the false teachings of his time, and we must within ours as well.

10.27.24 Mark 13:5–11 (EHV) 5 Jesus began by telling them, “Be careful that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. . . . These are the beginning of birth pains. 9 But be on your guard! People will hand you over to councils, and you will be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:5-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Can I Get A Witness? Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Oct 28, 2024

When God’s people testify to what God has done, others are invited to witness and respond.

Introduction Last week, we began considering the relationship between praise and thanks and how we are called in this Psalm to verbalize or express our gratitude. That expression should include some discussion of God’s attributes and the affect that he has on us, on creation, and even on his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:5-7, Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:19-20, Psalm 145:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

Testing, Trust, And Thanks Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Nov 4, 2024

This central part of Psalm 66 urges us to recognize God's presence in our lives in the midst of pain and prosperity and respond with personal piety.

In the year 715 BC, Shalmanezer, the King of Assyria besieged the Northern Kingdom of Israel. For three years, his army starved the nation of Israel until finally they surrendered. In 712 BC, the northern Kingdom crumbled, Israelite citizens were marched off to a foreign land, and Assyria began ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:8-15, 2 Kings 17:7-23, 2 Kings 18:11-12, 2 Kings 18:1-3, Romans 6:2, Hebrews 10:24-25, Psalm 1:1-2, Matthew 6:6, Colossians 3:16, Deuteronomy 6:5-6, Malachi 3:10, Galatians 6:10, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Peter 2:12, Hebrews 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

John Envisions The Saints Living And And Reigning

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 7, 2024

What power do saints have? What risks do they face? Find out.

11.10.24 Revelation 20:4–6 4 Then I saw thrones, and those who were sitting on them were given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast and his image, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:4-6

Denomination: Lutheran