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David Kalas

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David Kalas is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Union Theological Seminary of Virginia. David has been a contributing writer for Emphasis Preaching Journal and has authored several books.
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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Lent Calls -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- David Kalas -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2018
Today marks the beginning of Lent. In some churches, that is a nearly meaningless designation.
'Tis Pleasant to Repeat -- Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- David Kalas -- Easter Day - B -- 2018
Paul’s starting place in 1 Corinthians 15 is our starting place on Easter Sunday.
The Devil's Deal -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- David Kalas -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2018
The old television game show, Let’s Make a Deal, featured a studio audience full of oddly d
Worthless Religion -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- David Kalas -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2018
James’ word is harsh, but it is not unique.
Values clarification -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34, Psalm 146 -- David Kalas -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2018
Note: Because of a scheduling error, we are highlighting this commentary from 2006 by David Kala
Rightful Place -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- David Kalas -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018
My wife, who thrives on organization, has a motto: “A place for everything, and everything in its pl
And There Was Light -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2017
The significance of light and darkness is evident from the very beginning of scripture.
The Surprising Profile -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2017
We’ve all read job postings and help-wanted ads.
Family Trip -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- David Kalas -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2017
Every parent is familiar with the backseat refrains.
Who's On First? -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- David Kalas -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2017
I heard a story once of a custodian who worked at a certain university.
The Thanksgiving menu -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- David Kalas -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2017
Most of us have a collection of traditional items that we make part of our Thanksgiving spread each
Christmas stories new and old -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14 -- David Kalas -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2017
Christmas accommodates a lot of stories.
Within or Without -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2016
“Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification.” This is the tan
When the Lord sets the table -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- David Kalas -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2016
It’s a fascinating proposition when one stops to consider it.
This is where you come in -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- David Kalas -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2016
Is it blasphemy to preach about human beings on Trinity Sunday?
Help wanted -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- David Kalas -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2016
In an election year there are certain themes that are bound to enjoy national prominence, including
Overflowing grace -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- David Kalas -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2016
When the apostle Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, he shared in writing a part of his own pers
'Tis all my business here below -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- David Kalas -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2016
One day, Paul tells us, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Telling time -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2015

Somewhere along the way, each of us learned how to tell time.

Baptism Pictures -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015

In some Christian traditions the expectation is that babies should be baptized.  In other Christi

The posture of love -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
One of the popular songs of the mid-1960s sweetly declared, “What the world needs now is love.” That
The essential three-point sermon -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- David Kalas -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2015

The pulpit does not stand in a vacuum.
A pair of kings, but not two of a kind -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- David Kalas -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2015
The Old Testament historian of the divided monarchy era had a simple method for evaluating the kings
360 review -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- David Kalas -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2015
The logic is simple: you understand a thing better if you are able to see it from all sides.

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'Tis Pleasant to Repeat -- Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- David Kalas -- Easter Day - B -- 2018
Paul’s starting place in 1 Corinthians 15 is our starting place on Easter Sunday.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Look Who's Talking -- Acts 11:1-18 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
Professional sports has no statistic for measuring talking.
The Man Who Wasn't There -- Acts 16:9-15 -- David Kalas -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
I've never had a vision -- at least not of the sort that Paul had.
A Stupid Question -- Acts 1:1-11 -- David Kalas -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2009
Generous teachers sometimes assure their students that there is no such thing as a stupid question.
The Place Of Prayer -- Acts 16:16-34 -- David Kalas -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
"Where is the place of prayer?" they asked. "We're looking for the place of prayer."
Trumpet Medley -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- David Kalas -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2009
Listen to the sound of the trumpet. What do you hear?
Anatomy Of A Testimony -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
You see a man busily writing. His face reveals the intensity of his focus.
A Resume Of Righteousness -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
Statues don't perspire. The characters portrayed in stained-glass windows don't blink.
RSVP -- Isaiah 55:1-9 -- David Kalas -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
When you and I send out invitations to events we are hosting, we typically include at the bottom of
Joshua's New Diet -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
What do you or your family pray at mealtime?
Heisman In The Hudson -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
In December of every year, the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City awards the coveted Heisman Tr
Profile Of A Savior -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- David Kalas -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2009
In the century and a half that cameras have been around, photographers have done us the great favor
Prelude To A Sacrament -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- David Kalas -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2009
We have a table before us.
That's Why We Call It Good -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - C -- 2009
At the end of the day, God saw that it was good.
The Gospel According To Pronouns -- Acts 10:34-43 -- David Kalas -- Easter Day - C -- 2009
The gospel of Jesus Christ is personal.
A Tale Of Two Peters -- Acts 5:27-32 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
When the curtain opens on Scene Two, we see a familiar scene.
God All Along -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- David Kalas -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
See him as he travels along the road to Damascus: the intensity in his eyes, the purposefulness of h
The Good Works We Leave Behind -- Acts 9:36-43 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
It's a poignant scene: the gathering place of mourners.
A Match Made In Heaven -- Genesis 29:15-28 -- David Kalas -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
One of the great privileges of being a parish pastor is the opportunity to officiate at weddings.
A Blessing In Disguise -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- David Kalas -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2007
I wonder how many of us here are named after someone.

Do You See What I See? -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- David Kalas -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2007
In 1956, director/producer Cecil B.
Sentimental Slaves -- Exodus 16:2-15 -- David Kalas -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
Let me ask you to do a little remembering today.
The Proof Is In The Pudding -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- David Kalas -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
It is an incongruous scene: a multitude in the desert.

Appointment With Thunder -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- David Kalas -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
If you're like me, then you've spent your whole life in the church.
The Land Where Our Fathers Had Lived -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- David Kalas -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2007
The story begins innocently enough.
God's Providence: The Long And Short Of It -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- David Kalas -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2007
We human beings are naturally fond of happy endings.

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Ron Love
George Reed
Bethany Peerbolte
For December 16, 2018:
  • Joice Again! by Tom Willadsen -- Rejoice! I can’t hear you, rejoice!! Joice again. “Joice” isn’t a verb in English, but “rejoice” is. Oh, and rejoicing is commanded. Just take a look at the Philippians reading.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Bob Ove
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Frank Ramirez
Ron Love
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Wow, how can things get any better. God has not only taken our punishment, he has turned back our enemy. What more can we ask. We shouldn’t have to fear anything. God says this to Jerusalem. Can this apply to America also?

Isn’t it love that takes away our worry? When we were little kids we didn’t worry about anything as long as our parents were near us. God is bigger and more powerful.

David Kalas
My wife, who thrives on organization, has a motto: “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” It’s an expression of her passion for keeping a room, a house, or a garage orderly. But I think the principle extends still further. It goes beyond just physical spaces. For what is true of cupboards and closets is even more profoundly true of a human life.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Contents
“A Rainy Road To The Jordan” by David O. Bales
“A Freshman Experience” by David O. Bales


A Rainy Road To The Jordan
by David O. Bales
Luke 3:7-18

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“...but one who is more powerful than I is coming..” (V. 16a)

Good morning girls, good morning boys!

My, it’s so fun to see you today.  Happy Advent! Know why I (say, sing, shout, chant) Happy Advent? (children may respond)

Advent means “a coming.” Something or somebody is coming. Just around the corner. Know what it is? (children respond)

Yep. It’s Christmas, and John the Baptist is here to help. (show sketch)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I've had many reports of the Remembrance Sunday service held at Dickleburgh (in Norfolk, England) this year, mostly about the preacher. Since Dickleburgh has a historic connection with the Americans from the time of Second World War, they always invite the American Air Base at Mildenhall in Suffolk to join them for the service, and always invite the current American air force chaplain to preach.

SermonStudio

Robert S. Crilley
On the Sunday afternoon following Thanksgiving, when I was in seventh grade, it began to snow. It started slowly and undramatically -- much like any number of other snows I had experienced growing up in Detroit. The sky turned the shade of dirty wool and the flakes danced through the wind as in one of those glass balls that you invert. Little by little the sidewalks whitened, and soon the neighborhood was alive with the rasping sound of shovels. Before long the roads were filled and you could no longer see the curb.

Special Occasion