Sermons on Natalie Gilbert:

Prologue Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jan 9, 2023

John's introduction to his Gospel beautifully and artfully lays the foundation for the rest of his book as he provides insight into the nature, work and witness of the Word - Jesus Christ!

What is a prologue? If we were to take that apart, it divides neatly into two words pro- meaning before logos - meaning word or saying So, in a very real sense, a prologue is a word that happens beforehand - a fore-word Composers, Filmmakers, and Authors alike have utilized preludes, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18, Exodus 34:6-7, Genesis 1:1-2

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

Are You Sure? Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 2, 2024

Luke carefully assembled material for his gospel in order to provide Theophilus and us confidence in the message of the gospel. So what should we do in response?

Have you ever noticed that some studies seem to be contradictory? One study will note that coffee is good for you as it is made of up of mostly water while another will state that it dehydrates you because of the caffeine. One study states that eating eggs will give you high cholesterol while ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

God's Perfect Plan And Timing Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 9, 2024

The angel Gabriel's visit to Zechariah reveals significant truths about God's sovereignty.

Do you believe in chance encounters? Two people meet on a bus ride and end up getting married, remaining so for over 70 years. A random introduction leads two men to become the best of friends and end up establishing Apple computers. A random encounter between a 9 year old girl and a Theology ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, Malachi 4:1-6, Genesis 1:28

Denomination: Baptist

Something To Talk About Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 23, 2024

As if the pregnancies of an elderly woman and an unwed teenager weren’t enough to talk about, the birth of John sparks speech in ways that should encourage us to verbalize things about our faith as well.

Edit sermon notes Copy text In 1991, Bonnie Rait released a song entitled “Somethin’ to Talk About.” It became her highest ranking song on the billboard lists - topping out at #5. This song also became instrumental in helping her win a grammy. The song addresses rumors that had been going around ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Denomination: Baptist

Nothing Is Impossible Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 23, 2024

The God who opened closed wombs is the same God who can cause a virgin to conceive the Son of God, because nothing is impossible with God.

Luke 1:26–56 ESV In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Denomination: Baptist

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

Proclamation, Prayer, Penitence, And Praise Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Nov 14, 2024

Our thanks and praise takes many forms, but is most effective when we have a penitent heart.

Open your Bibles or the Pew Bible to Psalm 66. As we have over the last couple of weeks, I’d love for you to be able to look at that while we are walking through these last several verses. Throughout this Psalm we have seen an example of worship and witness acting as a sort of call and response. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Unto Us A Child Is Born Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 30, 2024

Did God make a mistake in having His Son be born in a barn to an unwed virgin? While it all sounds scandalous, it's exactly what we need!

I love the questions that Bobby asks. Sometimes they catch me off guard and really make me think. But there is one question that he has asked me recently surrounding the birth of Jesus that gave me a bit of insight into his Persian background and a tangible feel for what the Middle Eastern ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Divine Encounters Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 30, 2024

When we do the things God calls us to then we are in a place to experience encounters that God ordains for us.

New Year new goals financial physical academic social medical Spiritual New Hopes changes in relationships friends and family members coming to faith baptisms greater connection with God One of the challenges that we face in entering into a new year with new goals and hopes, is that we can be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Baptist