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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

A house without walls -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1997
It's a shame and a judgment on us that we have to limit our worship services in such a way that we o
Grounded in hope -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
Many people think it strange to begin the church year with a Gospel Lesson that focuses on the secon
To believe is to trust and obey -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-1, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1997
Most biblical ideas show progression in their development.
God self-revealed -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1996
I once counted 27 electrical switches that I touch to get the day going: lights, alarm clocks, b
God wants you -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1996
(To the reader: You will note that the format changes for these articles with this September/Octo
Severe words -- Genesis 21:8-21, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1996
I would not have minded the day off today.
What's it worth to you? -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1996
If you are a preacher who likes to pull all of the texts for the day into your sermon, this Sunday
Turning points -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1996
In the three texts today hearers meet three classic figures: Abraham, who receives a call of God and
Saints Alive -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - B -- 1996
Is there a book of the Bible more abused than Revelation?
What kind of leadership do we want? -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
After following Moses for many weeks, we come to the end of the line.
Better get ready -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
It is hard to believe that anyone, even a convinced atheist, could read this passage and not be move
It's time for joy and hope -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
After many weeks of heavy judgment texts we may all be ready to shout, "Give me a break!" This day,
One Spirit -- Acts 2:2-21, John 7:37-39 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1996
It would be hard to document the assertion in detail and with wealth of satisfying data.
Timing -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1996
After the bombing of a building in Oklahoma City, an earthquake or a department store implosion in
You are not alone -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1996
Janus, one of the gods, looked both ways (hence: January).
The outcome is certain -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1996
Although they come at it from very different perspectives, the texts for this Sunday all speak to
Putting love to work -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1996
Last week we suggested that if Genesis is the account of God's election, then Exodus is t
Obedient love -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1996
As we move to Mount Sinai and the giving of the law we notice a change in Moses' role as leader.
Call and response -- Genesis 18:1-15, Romans 5:1-8, Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1996
Lewis Carroll's Alice bragged that she could believe in impossibles; why, she could believe in six
FIRST LESSON FOCUS -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1996
FIRST LESSON FOCUSBy James A. Nestingen
Sleepwalking -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1996
Maybe sleepwalking is too dramatic a metaphor for the way we live our lives before God opens our ey
Challenging ancient law -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1996
My servant, my chosen -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1996
Often in each church year preachers have to make decisions on topics over which other scholars ha
A direction to follow -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1996
I've got a secret -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1996
Our texts for this Sunday continue the theme from a week ago, namely, that Christians are engaged i

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2013) -- Haggai 1:5b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
Haggai 1:5b--2:9
"Shake it up, baby... -- Haggai 1:5b--2:9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
Haggai 1:5b--2:9
The great composer... -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
The great composer George Frideric Handel sent word to the local tavern owner to prepare a dinner fo
How many times... -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
How many times have we read letters by some "enthusiasts" who tell us that the Lord has already come
In 1971, Carly... -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
In 1971, Carly Simon sang "Anticipation," which made it to the pop charts and was sung everywhere.
The great Austrian... -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
The great Austrian composer Gustav Mahler used the beauty of the Austrian countryside to inspire his
A 2006 Scripps-Howard... -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
A 2006 Scripps-Howard/Ohio University poll revealed that only 36% of Americans believe in the resurr
Sermon Illustrations for Thanksgiving Day (2013) -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2013
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Are we in the land... -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- Bob Ove -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2013
Are we in the land that the Lord has given us?
The Hebrew people were... -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2013
The Hebrew people were given instructions on how to conduct a harvest celebration with a spirit of t
In the comic strip... -- Philippians 4:4-9 -- Ron Love -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2013
In the comic strip by the same name, Frank and Ernest are coming out of a high school, math class.
Giving thanks makes... -- Philippians 4:4-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2013
Giving thanks makes you happy.
"Sir, give us this... -- John 6:25-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2013
"Sir, give us this bread always." Were the disciples being a tad bit selfish? It's understandable.
We don't care about... -- John 6:25-35 -- Bob Ove -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2013
We don't care about miracles as long as God puts bread on the table.
Sermon Illustrations for Reformation Day (2013) -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 31:31-34
This is a passage... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Bob Ove -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
This is a passage that bears repeating. It has been used and will be used again.
Just as Jeremiah... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Just as Jeremiah was called by God to speak a reforming word to the people of his day who were livin
This text gets us... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
This text gets us to the heart of the Reformation; it is about the righteousness of God and Martin L
Leona Helmsley was... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Leona Helmsley was a real estate entrepreneur who was worth $8 billion when she was convicted in 198
Jesus is talking... -- John 8:31-36 -- Bob Ove -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Jesus is talking to Jewish believers and makes the promise that if they are faithful to his teaching
One of the best... -- John 8:31-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
One of the best illustrations of freedom in Christ comes from the life of Zacchaeus.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2013) -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
Joel 2:23-32
John Hancock was... -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
John Hancock was president of the Continental Congress.
Some situations seem... -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
Some situations seem hopeless, like the plague of locusts inflicted on Judah.
The message here... -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
The message here is: Don't give up!

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