Sermons on Joel:

Nobody, Somebody, Everybody Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jun 19, 2023

If John the Baptist was on social media, what would he post? What would he share about himself? He might truly resonate with the song by Casting Crowns - "Nobody, Somebody, Everybody."

I’m not very good at social media, but you probably already know that if you’re on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I don’t post very often - except to give away bread. When I do, I don’t take very good pictures - in fact I sometimes re-do old pictures - especially of bread. I suppose in some ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-34

Denomination: Baptist

The First Disciples Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jun 19, 2023

As Jesus begins his ministry, he calls out several men to follow him. This sermon considers the first disciples that Jesus calls.

We all like to follow someone at various times in our lives. We may be motivated by curiosity, fear, ambition, knowledge, information. Sometimes our following is a simple and non-committed social media follow - we might just want to be in the know. Other times our following results in a certain ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Denomination: Baptist

The Wedding At Cana Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jun 19, 2023

Jesus' sign of turning the water to wine reveals a bit of how he addresses our earthly and eternal needs.

Introduction I have a problem. I don’t like things on my hands. As a result I wash my hands too often when I’m cooking. Now, you may not see that as a problem, after all, cross contamination of various foods is never good. But I do. The other day, Danielle and I were preparing dinner together. ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Christians Fight Losing Battles And Yet Win The War

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jul 7, 2023

Paul talks about fighting against his own sinful nature as a wretched sinner.

7.8.23 Romans 7:15–25a 15 I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not keep doing what I want. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 But now it is no longer I who am doing it, but it is sin living in me. 18 Indeed, I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25

Denomination: Lutheran

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

Dear God, Why Don't You Do Something?

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 18, 2022

Habakkuk was frustrated with the lack of faith and the immorality in the Israelites. God had an answer for him and for us.

11.20.22 Habakkuk 1:1–3, 2:1-4 1 The threatening oracle which the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 How long, LORD, must I cry for help, but you do not listen? I call out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save! 3 Why do you cause me to see injustice? Why do you overlook misery? Devastation and violence ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-3, Habakkuk 2:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

What Time Is It? The Time Is Now

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 5, 2022

Paul has a sense of urgency in his call to the Corinthians and to us - in how we receive God's grace in the here and NOW.

12.7.22 2 Corinthians 6:1–2 (EHV) 1 As fellow workers we also urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says: At a favorable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. Look, now is the favorable time! See, now is the day of salvation! What Time is It? The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Is Who Isaiah Said He Would Be, And John Too

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 7, 2022

John and his disciples question if Jesus is the One or not. Jesus answers in word and deed

12.11.22 Matthew 11:2-11 2 While John was in prison, he heard about the things Christ was doing. He sent two of his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the Coming One or should we wait for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go, report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran