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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Believing is seeing -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Sometimes we see people who are wide-eyed with wonder.
An annual reminder -- Mark 16:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Acts 10:34-43 -- David Kalas -- Easter Day - B
In the opening verse of our passage from the epistles, the Apostle Paul writes, "Now I would remind
Show me your ways -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
I have to admit that I have absolutely no interest in preserving the institution of the church.
Maker of heaven and earth -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, Psalm 130 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Okay, sooner or later, and more likely sooner than later, if you engage in the homiletical
Beginnings -- Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18, John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
On the first Sunday in the new year, a theme of beginnings seems very appropriate.
Love -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
One of the preacher's greatest difficulties is to deal with the word love.
Humanity and Divinity -- Psalm 111, Hebrews 2:10-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
As has been observed in one of the lessons, the discussion of JesusÕ humanity and divinity seems nev
All things new and improved -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35, Psalm 148 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
We don't much care for new things being forced on us, but we do like to have new things offered to u
Why Christians must go on living in the world -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20, Acts 16:16-34, John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Each of the lessons for this, the last Sunday in Easter, have something to say about putting trust i
Creation is Salvation -- Psalm 8, Proverbs 8:22-31, Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
It is interesting to discover just how many times creation and salvation seem to be concepts that ar
The Call of Duty -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, Luke 17:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
There are those who chafe at the word duty. It seems so arbitrary, so oppressive, so binding.
Symbols and Communication -- Exodus 34:29-35, Luke 9:28-36 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
History is filled with stories of conflict over symbols, icons, images, and other representati
The Last Enemy -- Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B
In 1 Corinthians 15, verse 26, Paul declares that "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
A good story retold -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
The movie Jesus of Montreal (1989) pictures young actors working to revitalize a passion play
Facing Up to Life -- Psalm 107:1, 33-43, Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Sometimes when I hear people speak of their faith and their relationship to God, I get the idea that
The Exalted Lord -- Ascension of the Lord - B
I imagine the world could not hold all the records of discussions about the ascension and its meanin
Triumphant suffering -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C
On this day for remembering the death of Jesus, each of the lessons portrays nobility in suffering.
The Partial Gospel -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23 -- All Saints Day - A
One of the problems faced by every preacher is the fact that one cannot say everything about everyth
Past and future -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
As Holy Week draws near, the lessons carry the struggle between past and present, continuity and dis
Of simplicity and simpletons -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12, Psalm 15 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A
We have a prejudice in favor of things complex.
No spring chicken -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45, Psalm 130 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Each year about this time, we in the church are fond of making a misplaced analogy.
Salvation -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-13, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
It is natural to expect that people will always couch any talk about salvation in terms of their own
Wrath and Grace -- 2 Chronicles 36:14-23, Ephesians 2:4-10, John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
There are those who find great difficulty in resolving what is for them a conflict between the conce
Spirituality -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17, Mark 4:26-34, Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
The day boy and the night girl -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23, Psalm 27 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind toda

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In the May 2012 publication of Time magazine... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Ron Love -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
In the May 2012 publication of Time magazine, the editors devoted a special double issue to t
Our lesson speaks of our unity... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Our lesson speaks of our unity, for Christ now fills all things.
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian... -- John 6:24-35 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian who was hurrying to finish his Ph.D. dissertation.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 14 | OT 19 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:34, 41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
An elderly lady had been waiting to pull into a parking place... -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Ron Love -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
An elderly lady had been waiting to pull into a parking place.
The story of David's remarkable compassion toward his rebellious son... -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
The story of David's remarkable compassion toward his rebellious son Absalom is a love that seems to
Garret Keizer in his provocative book... -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
Garret Keizer in his provocative book, The Enigma of Anger, tells a story about his father-in
In calling himself the bread of life... -- John 6:34, 41-51 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
In calling himself the bread of life, Jesus was making the point about how essential he is for human
Suze Oman, financial expert and TV host... -- John 6:34, 41-51 -- Ron Love -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
Suze Oman, financial expert and TV host, reflected on what she thought was the most influential plac
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | OT 20 (2012) -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4
Debra Farrington in her book... -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
Debra Farrington in her book, Learning to Hear with the Heart, tells of the horror of an expe
Our lesson urges us to make the most of our time... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
Our lesson urges us to make the most of our time (v. 16). Americans do not do that very well.
The early church fathers saw... -- John 6:51-58 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
The early church fathers saw the sixth chapter in the gospel of John as depicting Jesus as the sourc
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2012) -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
1 Kings 8 (1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43
The text leads us to the old question... -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
The text leads us to the old question -- whether God is imminent (here in and among us) or transcend
The Great Sphinx of Giza... -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Ron Love -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
The Great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest monumental sculpture on earth.
Paul writes to the Ephesians using the symbolism of the Christian soldier... -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
"Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist..." (Ephesians 6:14a).
March 25, 1965... -- John 6:56-69 -- Ron Love -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
March 25, 1965. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A 2006 Pew Foundation survey... -- John 6:56-69 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
A 2006 Pew Foundation survey and a Baylor Religion Survey of the same year found that 4 in 10 Americ
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2012) -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
The words of the Song of Solomon 2:8-13... -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
The words of the Song of Solomon 2:8-13 introduce a section of springtime love in the book.
Many Americans do not feel God to be directly involved in their lives... -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Many Americans do not feel God to be directly involved in their lives.
The Andersons raced into church on the last verse of the opening hymn... -- James 1:17-27 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
The Andersons raced into church on the last verse of the opening hymn.
Our anatomy illustrates James' advice... -- James 1:17-27 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Our anatomy illustrates James' advice.
So many blame God for what they do and say... -- James 1:17-27 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
So many blame God for what they do and say.

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
The Black Angel. That’s what Michael Christopher calls Herman Engel in his play. Herman Engel is a cruel man, an “angel” by name, but darkest black in his Nazi soul. During World War II, he led his army in a horrible massacre of French villages. And after the war, justice catches up with him at the Nuremberg trials. He is sent to jail.
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20)
How many of us understand God’s call on our lives? How many of us need a wise advisor to help us understand what God is asking us? Samuel is confused about who is calling him, thinking it is his teacher and mentor. Eli has to explain to Samuel that he is being called by God. Understanding this, Samuel responds to God, “Here I am.”

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Elena Delhagen
For June 2, 2024:

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John Jamison
Object: This message includes a game to play together. Have fun with having the children shout out their answers. It makes the message memorable.

* * *

Hello, everyone! Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Instead of just telling you the story, I thought it would be more fun if we played a game that told the story. Are you ready to play the game? (Let them respond.)  

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” (v. 4)

Back in those days dark was dark.

Really dark.

In a moonless sky, the stars would shine brighter than most of us have ever seen, all the more awe-inspiring their majesty, paradoxically emphasizing all the more the darkness that reigned.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.
-- Deuteronomy 5:12

Schuyler Rhodes
There's something about someone who knows you really well. It is a state of grace that slices across all other interactions. Sit across the table from a spouse of twenty years, a best friend of half a century, a sister or brother who has grown with you through the victories and the defeats. It's an amazing moment to look into the eyes of such a person and know ... that they know.
Michael D. Wuchter
Out of darkness the light shall shine! God's glory shining in the face of Christ. Yet we who have this spiritual gift are like common clay pots.
-- 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (paraphrased)

Charles Curley
It was a time of distrust and disillusionment in the land of Israel. People did not trust those who governed them. Those in positions of leadership were thought to be inept or corrupt, and often both. There was a lack of vision about the future of the people. Because those in leadership seemed helpless, hopeless and corrupt, God looked outside the tents of power to find new leadership with vision.
William G. Carter
A few years ago, I was asked to serve as the worship leader at a regional church conference for teenagers. The enthusiastic recruiter told me about the wonderful experience I could expect from the gathering. "Every summer," she said, "the conference brings together about a hundred or so young people at a camp that has no swimming pool. We gather during the dog days of August. The conference is so much fun, nobody misses the pool!"

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