|
|
Christ's ministry continues
Pentecost
Go to the full commentary
More commentaries from the archives
New illustrations
More illustrations from the archives
|
|
| Wayne Brouwer |
|
|
It was Charles Dickens who prodded us to think about hope in his wonderful novel Great Expectations. Young Pip lives in a home with bleak experiences and few hopes. Yet circumstances provide a doorway into the future as a solicitor informs the family that a trust has been set up to provide for his schooling as a gentleman in London.
Everyone reads something different into this change of fortunes, and Pip himself does not find out for years who provided the beneficence. In the end, many of the "great expectations" about Pip's future and hopes are dashed, and Dickens leaves us in a world where the fates are at worst cruel and at best devious.
Thankfully the world of the Bible is much more gracious. In today's lectionary passage the hopefulness of God's intentions is at the fore. Through the Wisdom of Proverbs we learn again what a rich treasure is ours when we live in the house of divine Wisdom. Paul ties our expectations to the resurrection of Jesus and the justification it brings, assuring us of a hope that does not disappoint. Jesus himself provides fortitude through his promise of the Spirit of truth who will guide us on a path that is never a dead end....
Go to the full commentary
More commentaries from the archives
New illustrations
More illustrations from the archives
|
What is Emphasis Online?
Emphasis Online provides in-depth lectionary-based commentary on lectionary texts, plus thousands of sermon illustrations to help you create riveting sermons.
For over 35 years, Emphasis has provided subscribers with scripturally sound, Lectionary-based commentaries and sermon illustrations that really connect with the people in the pews.
For each Sunday, Emphasis writers and editors delve into the heart of the four lectionary readings, providing you with several fresh, solid ideas -- based squarely on the lectionary texts -- for creating sermons that speak powerfully to your audience. The team looks for overall themes that hold the readings together. Then, they zero in on the themes and the specific scripture links, suggesting directions for the sermon and worship service. Since a single idea each week may not provide what you are looking for at that particular time, Emphasis suggests several, giving you the opportunity to select the one that matches your specific needs.
Emphasis is like having a dedicated, thoroughly-versed sermon research and sermon resource team right in your own study to help you create riveting sermons that are truly yours, and that speak powerfully to your audience.
Easy-to-Use Format
Emphasis Online brings to the web the high quality content you have come to expect from Emphasis in an intuitive and easy-to-use format. No longer will you have to wait for postal delivery of your printed copy of Emphasis; just log-on to Emphasis Online and you can view the complete current issue as soon as it is published.
Archives
Emphasis Online gives you even greater value by putting back issues of the journal at your fingertips. This access to the Emphasis Archives, combined with powerful search features, takes the utility of Emphasis to an entirely new level. You can search the current issue, or the complete archives, for content from Charting the Course (commentaries) or the sermon illustrations, by lectionary, scripture reference, or keyword to find exactly what you need.
Become more Productive
Emphasis Online will add time to your day by helping you make more productive use of the time you spend on preparing your weekly sermon and worship service. Instead of locating and leafing through myriad of sermon resources in a time-consuming quest for relevant sermon material, you can now spend your valuable time crafting your own presentation.
>> Subscribe to Emphasis Online
|
|
|
|
