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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

King -- Jeremiah 23:2-6, Colossians 1:11-20, John 12:9-19 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
We throw the word "king" around loosely in the church.
Salvation -- Acts 3:12-19; 4:8-12, Acts 3:12-19; 4:8-12 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Easter is more than a story of the only man in history who was raised from the dead.
Mountaintop experience -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- William H. Shepherd -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
It was the most boring sermon I ever heard, until it became the most interesting.
Lenten Athletes -- Psalm 91:9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Sometimes when I hear people talking about what they are going to do during Lent, it seems to me tha
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
Turning point -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69, Psalm 84 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
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
Easter! -- Acts 10:31-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
One of the problems the church faces when talking about Easter is to find a way to get around pictur
Starting over -- John 12:20-33, Hebrews 5:5-10, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
A college professor presented his class syllabus on the first day of the new semester.
Endings many -- Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-18, Mark 13:24-32 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
As the end of the church year approaches, the emphasis of the propers turns increasingly eschatologi
Who God Loves -- Hosea 4:1-3, 5:15-6:6, Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Once in a while I hear someone talking about God's love, who he loves and the kind of people he love
Dealing with the meantime -- Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10, Hebrews 12:1-4, Luke 12:49-53 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
The night before he was assassinated, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Living in unsafe neighborhoods -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Psalm 119:105-112 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
We vacationed recently on Hilton Head Island.
The Problem of Authority -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Every age has the problem of sorting out the true prophets from the charlatans.
Saints dead or alive -- Deuteronomy 6:2-6, Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - B
It would be easy for a person to assume that a saint is a great Christian who is dead, usually for a
Focus on the Father -- Psalm 145:13b-21, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 -- Easter Day - C
Sometimes when I hear some talk, I think that they have in their allegiance to Jesus forgotten what
Gnosticism -- Psalm 30:4-12, John 21:1-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
There are those who read the gospel of John and imagine that there they find more Gnosticism than Ch
Journey -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Remember when you first said to someone that you loved her?
How We Know He Is With Us -- 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2, Mark 4:35-41, Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
What God wants -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 65 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
In 2000, Mel Gibson played a character named Nick Marshall in the movie What Women Want.
Shifting the Focus -- Zechariah 7:1-10, Zechariah 7:1-10 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
One of the problems we have as humans is the fact that we are bound by time, live in the finite, are
Prescription on a pole -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
We have so many aisles of medications in our country today that home remedies may be a vanishing art
Poetic mysteries -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-55 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
As the mystery and wonder of Christmas draws nearer, the Sunday lessons turn to poetry.
A Portrait of God -- Psalm 36:1-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
I suppose that most readers have heard the story of a little girl who was busy finger painting and w

Communicating God's Love

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Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Jesus' actions in the gospel challenge social and religious convention... -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Jesus' actions in the gospel challenge social and religious convention in the name of a more spiritu
Lloyd Ogilvie tells the story of returning to visit New College... -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Lloyd Ogilvie tells the story of returning to visit New College at Edinburgh University where he had
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | OT 23 (2012) -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
During the Communist witch hunt... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
During the Communist witch hunt, led by Senator Joe McCarthy, many individuals in the film industry
Someone asked me one day... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Someone asked me one day, "How much do you earn a year?" I answered him, "I earn about $750,000." He
Generosity is a cardinal ethical virtue... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Generosity is a cardinal ethical virtue uplifted in many houses of faith.
If I say "dandelion," what do you think of?... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
If I say "dandelion," what do you think of? (an ugly weed)
Statistics released by the Corporation for Economic Development... -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Statistics released by the Corporation for Economic Development reveal the number of poor families h
Leonard Sweet brings the Letter of James up-to-date... -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Leonard Sweet brings the Letter of James up-to-date in his criticism of those who favor the rich ove
In 1993, mountaineer Greg Mortenson failed to climb K2... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
In 1993, mountaineer Greg Mortenson failed to climb K2, second-highest mountain on earth, located on
Tucker, the family pet, had a bad eating habit... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Tucker, the family pet, had a bad eating habit.
Some expect God to perform a healing when they pray for a person... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Some expect God to perform a healing when they pray for a person.
Barbara Van Dahan is addressing a problem that has been basically ignored by society... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Barbara Van Dahan is addressing a problem that has been basically ignored by society, and that is th
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2012) -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Proverbs 1:20-33
The book of Proverbs begins by stating... -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Proverbs 1:20-33
In pointing out to us that wisdom is a gift of God... -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
In pointing out to us that wisdom is a gift of God, our lesson seems to confirm what Benjamin Frankl
The tongue, which James describes as... -- James 3:1-12 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
The tongue, which James describes as a world of iniquity, also is a world of germs.
Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman was arrested... -- James 3:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman was arrested on second-degree murder for the shooting
The problem of doubt faces us all... -- James 3:1-12 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
The problem of doubt faces us all.
Exhausted from having spent a weekend working... -- James 3:1-12 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Exhausted from having spent a weekend working in a Minneapolis food pantry, a homeless shelter, and
Jesus explains what it means to be his disciple... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Jesus explains what it means to be his disciple.
What's wrong with Jesus telling us to lose our lives?... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
What's wrong with Jesus telling us to lose our lives? Is he a masochist?
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2012) -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Women! 4 Positions OpenPalms' Inn & Supper Club
NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Women! 4 Positions OpenPalms' Inn & Supper Club
NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Doesn't quite sound like Sharia law, though it leaves husband at the city gates getting compliments

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Quantisha Mason-Doll
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The Cover of Darkness
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John 3:1-17

Under the cover of darkness he comes. With bated breath he searches for any light or movement. Nicodemus waits — he waits for Jesus. Why does Nicodemus wait until the cover of the darkness to seek Jesus? In the gospel of John Jesus rarely does his work at night. (Talk about healthy work/life balance, am I right?) This week we will seek to uncover why Nicodemus, a Pharisee, is hesitant to embrace the community Jesus is gathering....More to come...


Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In preaching about a certain passage once, I freely made reference to the Trinity. A church member, who rather prided himself on being contrarian, said to me afterward, “You know that the Trinity did not exist until the fourth century.”
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Isaiah 6:1-8

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Indeed, God did not send the son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. (v. 17)

Who or what determines who goes to heaven and who goes the other direction?

C.S. Lewis, in his book, The Great Divorce, suggests that it is really up to us.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: An empty trash bag. I use a large, black plastic bag that everyone can easily see. You will also want three photographs to use. I used 8x11-sized copies of photos of three unknown people.

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The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
In this story, Mary Louise's dolls come to life on Mid-Summer's Eve, because Mary Louise herself gives them a kiss. She discovers something of herself in each of her dolls, but only one doll acts in exactly the way Mary Louise would have wished. The allegories to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are hopefully obvious!

Mary Louise was a little bit lonely. Not completely lonely, but just a little bit. With no brothers or sisters, Mary Louise spent quite a lot of time playing by herself. Although not completely by herself, for

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary for The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1; see The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1 Cycles A and B for alternative approaches.)

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
God's holiness awes, cleanses, inspires, and sends forth.

Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 6:1-8
The Call Of Isaiah

William J. Carl, III
Think of all the faces we show the world every day. We scrub up every morning and put our game face on. We never show our real face except to those who know us best, the ones who see through the game face to the real you and me. But with everyone else we change our faces.

Richard L. Sheffield
In the "Science & Technology," section of a recent issue of Business Week magazine, there was an article about the latest on A - I - D - S, the complicated disease we've come to know simply as AIDS. It says the scientists are learning a lot. One of the things they're learning is how the disease kills. And like just about everything that matters, it isn't simple. Says Business Week, "... HIV doesn't mysteriously lie dormant in the body only to emerge years later, as once thought.

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