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David O. Bales

David Bales was a Presbyterian pastor for 33 years. He is a graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary. In addition to his ministry he also has taught college: World Religions, Ethics, Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek (lately at College of Idaho, Caldwell). He has been a freelance writer for Stephen Ministries. His sermons and articles have appeared in Interpretation, Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching the Great Texts and other publications. For a year he wrote the online column "In The Original: Insights from Greek and Hebrew for the Lectionary Passages." His books include: Gospel Subplots: Story Sermons of God's Grace, Toward Easter and Beyond, Scenes of Glory: Subplots of God's Long Story, and To the Cross and Beyond and Beyond: Cycle A Sermons for Lent and Easter. Dave has been a writer for the CSS online subscription, StoryShare, for five years. He can be reached at dobales.com.

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Sermon

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The Ordinary In God's Hands -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- David O. Bales -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2007
The apostle Paul writes to a church where he was the founding pastor.
A Friday We Call "Good" -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- David O. Bales -- Good Friday - A -- 2007
After our last trip to Israel, a number in our group met to share photos and memories.
Dust And Ashes Wednesday -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- David O. Bales -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
The Passion of the Christ, is a helpful movie to consider for Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Lighting Up Lent -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Can you recall a significant event that changed many things about you: maybe a natural disaster like
Life In The Resurrection Zone -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- David O. Bales -- Easter Day - A -- 2007
Sermon Note: Before this sermon something like the following needs to be included the worship
A Living Hope (If It Hadn't Been For Easter) -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- David O. Bales -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
A church member read the New Testament and concluded, "Amazing things were going on back then.
Oddballs For God -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- David O. Bales -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Immigration reform swirls around us. Immigrants, documented and undocumented, live among us.
A Big Enough Reason -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Peter writes to Christian slaves.
Yes, You -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- David O. Bales -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Most congregations experience the joy of their former pastors visiting.
Rock Bottom -- 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- David O. Bales -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Peter begins a new paragraph here by asking, "Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is g
Power Sharing -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- David O. Bales -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2007
Modern people are fascinated with power.
Watchman, Tell Us Of The Night -- Isaiah 21:11-12 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
To strangers the plains of Eastern Montana seem barren, especially in late autumn.
The L & L Ranch -- John 11:25-26 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Being a woman causes difficulties in being a pastor, not only because many men think I should not be
What Really Matters -- Galatians 5:22-23 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Larry and Evelyn Schmidt lay awake long past their usual time for sleep. It was midnight at least.
The Half Pencil Doctor -- 1 John 3:18 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Since his dying father placed a hand on his and asked that his ashes be taken to Bloomfield, Iowa, a
Mall Meeting -- Galatians 6:1-2 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Joan Detlef slammed the screen door behind her.
Life Beside The Falls -- Ezekiel 47:1-12 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
The first storm of autumn clamped down with unseasonable cold -- lows at night in the teens -- which
Four Years Not Quite Too Late -- Matthew 2:1-2 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
At the Christian Endeavor Christmas party, 1948, the group of high school students had sung Christma
The Revolutionary In Bethlehem -- Luke 2:1-20 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
In the seven hundred and forty-seventh year since the founding of Rome, in the province of Judea, a
Pilate's Friend -- John 19:1-12 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Throughout the ancient world being the friend of the king meant that you trusted the king to protect
The Photograph On The Piano -- John 3:16 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
No matter how careful the nursing and housekeeping staffs, the smell of body fluids hung in the room
Where The Halls Cross -- Luke 10:25-37 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
I have the two best jobs in the world.
Over The Pass -- John 20:23 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Gerald Carrier's mind was pretty much unoccupied for a dozen miles as he maneuvered the big station
The Cathedral Corner Cafe -- Romans 12:14-21 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Letty looked around the cafe.
Why Do People Suffer? -- Mark 15:33-39 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Susan Ingraham was late for worship, but no one could tell she was hurrying -- regular, sharp gait,

Stories

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One King Dead, Another King Eternal -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, Psalm 29 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2021
Contents“One King Dead, Another King Eternal” by David O. Bales
Through Michal's Two Windows -- Ephesians 1:3-14, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Psalm 24 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2021
Contents“Through Michal’s Two Windows” by David O. Bales
Seeing Your Sin -- 2 Samuel 11-26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2021
Contents“Seeing Your Sin” by Peter Andrew Smith
Understanding Jesus -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2021
Contents “Understanding Jesus” by David O. Bales
Too Deep For Words -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Romans 8:26-39 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2020
Contents “Too Deep For Words” by David O. Bales

StoryShare

Mumbling Hope -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2020
Contents "Mumbling Hope" by David O. Bales
Called and Freed To Serve -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23), Romans 5:1-8 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2020
Contents “Called and Freed To Serve” by David O. Bales
Howling Good News For Some -- Genesis 45:1-15, Psalm 133 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2020
Contents “Howling Good News For Some” by David O. Bales
Before You Judge -- Matthew 18:15-20, Romans 13:8-14 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2020
Contents "Before You Judge" by David O. Bales
If It's Worth Telling … -- Psalm 25:1-9, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2020
Contents “If It’s Worth Telling …” by David O. Bales
Danger From Both Sides In Jerusalem -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2020
Contents “Danger From Both Sides In Jerusalem” by David O. Bales
Gloriously Stormy Worship -- Matthew 3:13-17, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29 -- David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2020
Contents “Gloriously Stormy Worship” by David O. Bales
Freshman Introduction To The Book Of Revelation -- Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 34:1-10, 22 -- David O. Bales -- All Saints Day - A -- 2020
Contents
Pup -- Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- David O. Bales -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2020
Contents “Pup” by David O. Bales
The Other Wise Man -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- David O. Bales -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2020
Contents “The Other Wise Man” by David O. Bales
Control -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8 -- David O. Bales -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2020
‘Wally’ K. Freirer To My Descendants by David O. Bales
Responding To Signs Of The End -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “Responding To Signs Of The End” by David O. Bales
Thorough Temptation Of The Thoroughly Human -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19 -- David O. Bales -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Contents"Thorough Temptation Of The Thoroughly Human" by David O. Bales
Everything is Possible with God -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46b-55 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “Everything is Possible with God” by Peter Andrew Smith
Valley Variation -- Psalm 23, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Contents “Valley Variation” by David O. Bales
A Waste of Time -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2020
Contents “A Waste of Time” by Keith Hewitt
A Way To Meet Jesus -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, Psalm 16 -- David O. Bales -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Contents “A Way To Meet Jesus” by David O. Bales
Excavating To The Center -- 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- David O. Bales -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Contents"Excavating To The Center" by David O. Bales
The Times or Periods -- Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- David O. Bales -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Contents “The Times or Periods” by David O. Bales
Too Deep For Words -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Romans 8:26-39 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2020
Contents “Too Deep For Words” by David O. Bales
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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John Jamison
Object: An orange and a lemon that are about the same size and shape, a knife, a cutting board, orange and yellow paint, and some paper towels. Prepare the fruit by painting the lemon orange, and the orange, yellow. The more alike they look, the better.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started!

The Immediate Word

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For May 11, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
Tinkerbell is the delightful sprite in Peter Pan who drifts between the world of senses and the world of magic. She sprinkles “fairy dust” to make children fly; she sparkles around Peter Pan as a comrade adventurer.

Once, in one episode of a televised version of Peter Pan, Tin­kerbell ingested some poison. There was nothing to be seen of her, tiny thing that she was, other than the brightness of her little light. But with the poison, her light began to fade. Before our very eyes she grew dimmer, pulsing with a weakening glow.
Mark Ellingsen
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Acts 9:36-43
Cryonics is an interesting and, if I’m honest, disturbing practice. You might be wondering, what is cryonics? The aim of cryonics, according to Dennis Kowalski, the president of the Cryonics Institute in Michigan, is to “keep bodies in a stable, preserved state until the necessary medical technology arrives.” As of June 1, 2024, there were about five hundred people who have tried to keep themselves preserved for future medical advances to revive.

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hello, Peter. Come on in to the office,” Pastor Carl held open the door for him. “Oh, don’t worry about your shoes.”

“They’re muddy and I really should take them off,” Peter said. “Besides if I don’t, I’ll be hearing my mother’s voice telling me to take them off before coming into your office.”

Pastor Carl smiled. “Fair enough.”

After a few moments, Peter took the offered seat across from Pastor Carl.

“So how are you finding our church?” Pastor Carl asked. “I know you mentioned we’re a bit more casual and smaller than you are used to.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said that he gives eternal life to those who follow him. As we worship God today, let us believe in his words so that we too may enjoy the Life that he offers.



Invitation to Confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we leave you out of our lives.
Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we are disappointed because you don't answer prayers in the way that we wish.
Christ, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we refuse to believe that you still act in our lives today.

SermonStudio

David E. Leininger
Women have always been uniquely important in the life of the church, whether or not men want to admit it. It started with Mary. Women were accorded special status during Jesus' ministry; in fact, it was probably women who were major financial supporters of the itinerant rabbi and his friends. Women were the first witnesses to the resurrection. This is not a feminist statement but a factual statement: from the first day to this day, if it were not for the women, there would be no church. It is that simple.

Donald Charles Lacy
History shows that people are invariably looking for Messiahs or Christs. There is that special person who is to come among them and, in a sense, do for them what they cannot do for themselves. Even for years after our Lord arose from the dead and ascended -- yes, and still at this moment -- people are looking.

Henry F. Woodruff
Now you can't even trust the police. When I was a child growing up in Texas, everyone knew how to spot the police cars: they were big old Ford Crown Victorias, painted black with white doors, sporting black wall tires with little moon hubcaps -- or, if they really wanted to be sneaky and fool you, they were big old Ford Crown Victorias painted gray, with whip antennas and license plates that read "City" on them. You could bet the farm on it. Now all that has changed. Police cars are all different makes and models and colors.
Clyde W. Wentzell
1. O my Good Shepherd, O Lord of my soul,
Keep me forever beneath your control.
In right paths lead me for your name’s sake.
All the best choices, Lord, help me to make.

2. When through dark valleys my walk is severe,
Keep me from evil, Lord, ever be near.
Your rod and staff, my discipline be,
O my Good Shepherd, keep watch over me.

3. You spread a table of bountiful store.
Rich are your mercies and love evermore.
Oil on the head, anointing most pure,
Flows in abundance as your love is sure.

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