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Craig Kelly

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

What is the first thing we do in the morning?... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2012
What is the first thing we do in the morning? Turn on the coffee maker? Read the paper?
During the NFL lockout... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2012
This past summer during the NFL lockout, coaches and staff were prohibited from working with the pla
NULL -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Sometimes the greatest accomplishments in life emerge out of the greatest tragedies.
NULL -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Sometimes I wish I could have been there in the room with Thomas Edison when he heard the first reco
How many times have we faced a situation where someone died suddenly... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Craig Kelly -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2011
How many times have we faced a situation where someone died suddenly?
NULL -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
I have no idea how people who don't believe in God deal with death, to be honest.
NULL -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Many people have probably heard the story of Horatio Spafford.
NULL -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Craig Kelly -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
I never experienced complete darkness until I was a teenager.
Life is full of tests... -- Mark 9:9-15 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
Life is full of tests, whether it's that chemistry final in high school, that driving test to get yo
NULL -- Judges 4:1-7 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
Oral Roberts University is a charismatic Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
NULL -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
My wife is currently in nursing school, and she is getting ready to finish a class in Lifespan Psych
NULL -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
In any story of survival, one of the most important elements is hope.
I remember when my wife and I bought our first house... -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
I remember when my wife and I bought our first house almost seven years ago.
NULL -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
It's interesting to see how people deal with great wealth. Take, for example, John D. Rockefeller.
NULL -- Romans 12:19-21 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
I recently heard a friend of mine talking about the story of Nicky Cruz.
NULL -- John 11:1-45 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
It is often in the darkest of circumstances when God shows up the most.
NULL -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Craig Kelly -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2011
There have been many powerful individuals and nations throughout our history.
One defining trend in the persecuted church today... -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
If there is one defining trend in the persecuted church today, it's that the more the church is pers
NULL -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Craig Kelly -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2011
How many times in this world have we seen people who strive for power and position humbled?
There are very few guarantees in this world but one is sin... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Craig Kelly -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
I recently found a website that I found amusing (http://www
There is something about the notion of mistaken identity... -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
There is something about the notion of mistaken identity that captures the imagination, especially i
NULL -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Craig Kelly -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2011
I can still remember going to the bank seven years ago with my wife to buy our home.
Many of the most powerful, influential documents in history... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Craig Kelly -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Many of the most powerful, influential documents in history have famous first lines.
A megachurch is defined as a church with 2,000 or more... -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
A megachurch is defined as a church with 2,000 or more in average weekly attendance.
NULL -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Craig Kelly -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2011
A recent study by the Barna Group (www.barna.org) showed that you

Stories

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A Lot Of Bull -- Matthew 22:1-14, Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr., Craig Kelly, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "A Lot of Bull" by Alex Gondola
The Jigsaw Puzzle -- Luke 1:26-38, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:47-55 -- Argile Smith, Craig Kelly, Sandra Herrmann, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B, The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Jigsaw Puzzle" by Argile Smith
The Days After Christmas -- Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Psalm 148 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Craig Kelly, Keith Hewitt, Bryan Meadows -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
The Days After Christmas -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Craig Kelly, Keith Hewitt, Bryan Meadows -- New Year's Day - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Artist At Work -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Craig Kelly, John S. Smylie -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Artist at Work" by Craig Kelly
Called Not From But To The Tax Office -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr., Craig Kelly -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week
The Borrowed Book -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13 -- Argile Smith, Craig Kelly -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "The Borrowed Book" by Argile Smith
Free Stories/illustrations For Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 -- Genesis 22:1-2, Matthew 10:40-42 -- John E. Sumwalt, Craig Kelly -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Who Is In Favor of Child Sacrifice? by John Sumwalt
Never Again Separate -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Romans 8:26-39, Genesis 29:15-28, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- David O. Bales, Craig Kelly -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Never Again Separate" by David O. Bales
You're Stuck -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Genesis 45:1-15, Psalm 133 -- C. David Mckirachan, Craig Kelly -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "You're Stuck" by C. David McKirachan
It Was A Long Time Ago -- Matthew 16:13-20, Romans 12:1-8, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Psalm 124 -- David O. Bales, John E. Sumwalt, Craig Kelly -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "It was a Long Time Ago" by David O. Bales
A Born Leader -- Matthew 22:34-46, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- Sandra Herrmann, Argile Smith, David O. Bales, Craig Kelly -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "A Born Leader" by Sandra Herrmann
A Born Leader -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Sandra Herrmann, Argile Smith, David O. Bales, Craig Kelly -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "A Born Leader" by Sandra Herrmann
As For Me And My House -- Matthew 25:1-13, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Psalm 78:1-7 -- Craig Kelly, Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "As for Me and My House" by Craig Kelly
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For October 26, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I am a scoreboard watcher. I follow a lot more games than I actually watch, but since technology makes it easy to check scores on a moment’s whim, I watch a lot of scoreboards of teams and games that I am at least mildly interested in. And as I check those scores, I find myself having immediate reactions: “Great!” “Oh, that's too bad.” “Excellent!” “Nuts.” And in the midst of that sports-fan roller coaster, I must continually remind myself that not all scores are final.
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Joel 2:22-32
Martin Luther sings the praises of God’s love revealed in this lesson. He wrote:

The love of God which lives in man loves sinners, evil persons, fools and weaklings in order to make them righteous, good, wise, and strong. Rather than seeking its own good, the love of God flows forth and bestows good. (Luther’s Works, Vol. 31, p.57)

John Wesley nicely summarizes the Spirit’s role in fighting the lure of our old sinful habits:

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John Jamison
Object: This message is a role-play story. You will need two children to play the roles of the Pharisee and the tax collector. I usually ask two children if they will help me as they are all coming forward for the message, but you may select them however you choose.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
(vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

We all dislike people who blow their own trumpets, although sometimes we may be in awe of them. Jesus too deplored such behaviour and was never in awe of those who practised it. In our worship today let us open ourselves to Jesus, allowing him to see what is in our hearts.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we allow other people's behaviour to intimidate us.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to reach our own fullest potential because we are afraid.

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
Every morning when sleep leaves and waking comes there is cause for praising God. Caught up, as we are, in the currents and eddies of our lives, this is easy to forget. This wonderful psalm is a reminder. God's bounty and abundance spill into our lives like waters over a causeway. God's delight in creation explodes in a million different colors. In every moment there is reason to give God praise.
Robert R. Kopp
When I was a little boy growing up in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania's First Presbyterian Church, one of those Christian chalk artists with black light, neon colors, and black felt canvas who made pictures of Jesus look like those Elvis portraits for sale on the side of the road at the beach showed up as entertainment for a Sunday evening potluck dinner.
John E. Berger
Today's sermon begins with this little one-person drama.
Mark Ellingson
Have you ever felt that you were absolutely at the end of your rope, left without hope? Sometime during the years of 539 B.C. to 331 B.C. that is the way the people of Judah felt. It seems that their land had been ravaged by a plague of locusts which had had catastrophic consequences.

Once a harvest has been destroyed, you cannot repair it. If a building has burned to the ground, you cannot repair it. In those instances you need to start from scratch with a fresh start.

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