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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Assurance -- Psalm 67, Revelation 21:10, 22-27, John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Sometimes I think that we take assurance with a lack of seriousness.
GOOD Friday? -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
Anyone who read the story of Holy Week for the first time without understanding might wonder just ho
Either/Or -- 1 Kings 19:14-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
One of the most overwhelming things about the faith we share is its uncompromising demand.
The God Who Is Always the Same -- Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29, Luke 14:1, 7-14, Hebrews 13:1-8 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Often when you hear some people talk about God you get the idea they are really talking about two go
Getting to a teachable moment -- Mark 15:1-39 (40-47), Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Passion Sunday - B
I spent part of a recent Sunday talking with a public school teacher who was quickly coming to the e
Knowing our limits -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15, Psalm 8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
During the years when Jesus was passing his childhood in Palestine, the Latin poet Ovid was writing
Sheep and Shepherds -- Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
It is interesting that in both Old Testament and New the parable of the sheep and shepherd is consta
A new era -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
We are likely to think of Easter as an annual festival and indeed it is.
Angels watching over me -- Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
The Spiritual Life -- Ephesians 4:30-5:2, John 6:41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
If you listen to many people speak of the spiritual life it appears that to be spiritual is to becom
Cosmic Show and Tell -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
The meaning of the word Epiphany is "to show forth," "to make known," "to reveal."
It came from beneath the sea -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31, Psalm 149 -- William H. Shepherd -- All Saints Day - C
Theaters in the 1950s were deluged with "wildlife-gone-amok" disaster films ...
Serving an underestimated God -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21, Psalm 14 -- David Kalas -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
From time to time in the car, especially during football season, I listen to sports talk
A Realistic Faith -- Ephesians 4:17-24, John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
Sometimes one gets the idea that there is something spiritual and different from real life in real r
All the time in the world -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
As a rule, you can tell how much time a person has by how quickly they move.
Farmer, teacher, judge -- Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119:97-104 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
I have always thought that it is more accurate to say what God isn't than what God is.
It may be now or never -- Amos 6:1a, 4-7, Luke 16:19-31 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
One of the most remarkable and thrilling insights into reality which the Bible provides is the up-fr
On beyond perfection -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
On Beyond Zebra! Remember the book by Dr. Seuss?
Building a new team -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
When Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1958, the team was in dismal
Giving all -- 1 Kings 17:8-16, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Each of the lessons for this Sunday has something to say about giving everything a person has.
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
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
Proclamation -- Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
"He has anointed me.""He has sent me."
Christ for the church -- Acts 5:12, 17-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Immediately after Easter, the church comes to the fore.
It was good -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 8 -- William H. Shepherd -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
The more I listened, the more I heard desperation.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 6 | OT 11, Cycle B (2012) -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 15:34--16:13
A psychologist asked 3,000 people... -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
A psychologist asked 3,000 people, "What have you to live for?" He was surprised to find that 94% we
Life is difficult in America given our present economic realities... -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
Life is difficult in America given our present economic realities, not unlike the hopelessness felt
John Killinger tells the story of a man deeply depressed... -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
Paul writes: "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; se
George Washington was sent by the governor of Virginia... -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
George Washington was sent by the governor of Virginia to inform the French they must leave the Alle
These parables of Jesus remind us... -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
These parables of Jesus remind us that we don't have much to do with the growth of God's kingdom, wi
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | OT 12, Cycle B (2012) -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
Bryan Mattimore, a creativity expert, tells the story... -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
Bryan Mattimore, a creativity expert, tells the story of Leonardo da Vinci preparing a shield for hi
Christians have been made people who go against the grain... -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
Christians have been made people who go against the grain. Martin Luther King Jr.
The American colonies entering the War... -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Ron Love -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
The American colonies entering the War for Independence from Britain knew it lacked the men needed f
Frank Graeff, the Methodist minister who wrote the hymn... -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
Frank Graeff, the Methodist minister who wrote the hymn, "Does Jesus Care?" normally was an upbeat p
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
David did not gloat over the victory over Saul... -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
David did not gloat over the victory over Saul.
During the French Revolution the country was in economic chaos... -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
During the French Revolution the country was in economic chaos.
Julia Ward Howe, the composer of... -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
Julia Ward Howe, the composer of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" once asked the abolitionist leade
Salman Khan did not set out to change the world... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
Salman Khan did not set out to change the world, only to help his cousin who lived on the opposite c
If death is nothing Christians need fear... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
If death is nothing Christians need fear, why do we spend so much time worrying about it, being sad
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 9 | OT 14 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 5:1-15, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 5:1-15, 9-10
One of the early Congregational church covenants in England reads as follows... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-15, 9-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
"So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them at
When you think big about a task bigger than yourself... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
When you think big about a task bigger than yourself, like Paul felt about his ministry, then it get
One of the ruling bodies in France was called the Estates General... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Ron Love -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
One of the ruling bodies in France was called the Estates General.
Francis of Assisi patterned his own order the Brothers Minor... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
Francis of Assisi patterned his own order the Brothers Minor after Jesus' description of sending the
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
A Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life poll revealed... -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
With reference to the lesson's description of David and his contemporaries worshiping joyfully it is
John Paul Jones, a captain in the U.S. Navy... -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Ron Love -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
John Paul Jones, a captain in the U.S.

Political Pulpit

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The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For July 6, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

Note: You will need an older volunteer to help with this activity. One option would be to find a teenager with some physical ability. If a teen is not available, an adult could be used instead. For simplicity here, I will refer to my older volunteer as “TOM”. You will also need to select three of your younger children to serve as volunteers in the story.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
2 Kings 5:1-14
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Naaman seeks healing. He travels hoping healing will come to him when he visits the king of Israel. Yet, healing does not come in that way. Rather healing comes through Elishah. Healing comes from believing and being cleansed in the River Jordan. Healing comes through Naaman’s faithfulness and through God’s grace. Psalm 30 also reminds us to seek healing; to seek God and God will heal and restore us. Do we believe that? Do we believe that God can bring healing?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ (vv. 10-11)

When I visit your church for the first time, consider the possibility that I might be looking for a church home. I am a good-looking old guy, but I have gray hair and I dress down in the summer, so don’t be put off by my cargo shorts and tank top. Talk to me!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last! They'd been with the Leader for months and months, waiting for this moment. Not that it had felt much like training. They'd simply lived with the Leader, listening to his stories, hearing about the Kingdom, learning to get along really well with all the other people at Mission Headquarters. Now all seventy of them were ready, the spaceship had docked, and the Mission was about to begin. Ora was glad she'd been paired up with Damien again.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Stan Purdum
Carlos Wilton
(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B, and Easter 3, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

Anyone who has ever had the experience of losing a friend because of some conflict or dispute, and then has had the friendship restored because of love and forgiveness, has a unique insight into the meaning of this psalm. Although the poem begins and ends with praise, there is in the middle of the poem a brief moment of confession and contrition that puts the praise portions of the psalm in an entirely different light.

April Yamasaki
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The former football player, wrestler, and now actor was asked about a low time in his life when he was very discouraged about his career and future.

"How did you make your way back from that?" he was asked.

The Rock replied, "You have to put yourself out there. You have to get out there and fail, and learn from your failures."

Larry D. Powell
In the summer of 1983, I participated in a ministerial exchange program sponsored by my denomination. My assignment was to a circuit of churches on the Isle of Man, a tiny island located in the Irish Sea. The months preceding the exchange included considerable correspondence with the minister on the island with whom I would exchange pastoral duties for six weeks.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
A wealthy businessman decided to take a walk and eat his lunch at the same time. He strolled by a park. There he purchased a hot dog and a soft drink. As he walked through the park two different "street people" approached him one by one. Each asked, "Can you help me? I am hungry." Each time the businessman looked straight ahead and kept walking. After finishing his lunch, he stopped and bought a chocolate eclair for dessert. As he was about to take the first bite, he was forced to jump out of the way as a young boy raced by on his skateboard. The eclair went flying and landed on the ground.

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