Matt from the comments:

I really enjoyed Joel's sermon this weekend. Not that I don't normally, but I really am seeing Joel's calling filling his sermons... he is such an awesome encourager.

I find it hard to believe that people say bad things about him, just seeing the way he encourages people and fills them with hope... it just blows me out of the water. I thank God for Lakewood... it's truly changed my life and helped me to connect with God in an amazing way.

It's always good to see that those of us who inhabit Lakewood aren't the only ones who feel this way. My sense is that the most recent sermons are going to be the roots of Joel's next book. He's venturing into some slightly newer territory, incorporating different examples, and all that adds up to an invigorating experience listening to his message each week. Perhaps a bit more than in the past, even.

It might seem passé to just say "Yeah, great sermon" each week and not bother enumerating the hows and whys of it. One of the nicer changes to our Koinonia gatherings is that the discussions now are centered on the sermon from the same night. So it gives us a nice opportunity to immediately go into depth on the message.

I think I can pass this one point on without telling tales out of school. Among our group (ablely led by Dale), someone pointed out that the moments where Joel breaks down usually stick with him the most. I point that out because the moment where this happened Saturday night wasn't while discussing something about his family or some particularly personal experience ... it happened while planting that very seed of hope into those listening. One of the most powerful sermons I recall Joel delivering (Bringing Out the Best In People) saw a similar instance. And that's always been something that stuck with me because it demonstrates the importance and authenticity of that calling on Joel's ministry.