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Derl G. Keefer

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Paul writes to the Corinthians... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Paul writes to the Corinthians to encourage them to discover their God-given potential.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
Genesis 22:1-14
Paul writes to the Philippian congregation... -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2014
Paul writes to the Philippian congregation that they ought to conduct themselves in a lifestyle wort
It was late fall... -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
It was late fall and the gardening work had to be finished up.
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Sunday (2014) -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Acts 10:34-43
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2014) -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Isaiah 40:1-11
The story is told... -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
The story is told that at the close of a Sunday morning sermon one of the members felt the Holy Spir
The Israelites were tired, drained... -- Exodus 17:1-17 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2014
The Israelites were tired, drained, and edgy from their traveling.
Two young men were... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Two young men were making fun of the Christian idea of resurrection from the dead, saying that it wa
His fever rose daily until... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
His fever rose daily until it hit 105 degrees and finally his family took him to the hospital.
Chuck Swindoll wrote... -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
Chuck Swindoll wrote about a young couple he counseled many years ago.
We live in a crazy, out-of-control... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2014
We live in a crazy, out-of-control world.
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 2 (2014) -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Teaching concerning baptism... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Teaching concerning baptism differs within the Christian world.
My exercise advisor... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
My exercise advisor mentioned that I needed to do core exercises...
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2014
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Blaise Pascal said... -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Blaise Pascal said that in every human heart there is a God-shaped vacuum that can never be filled b
Sermon Illustrations for Third Sunday of Advent (2014) -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
As the Nicene Creed... -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
As the Nicene Creed declares, there is one living and true God...
Paul emphasized to his congregation... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2014
Paul emphasized to his congregation in Philippi that his confidence is not in what he does (his fles
In Preaching Daily... -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
In Preaching Daily a story is told about a little two-year-old boy named Blaine Morris who ob
My coworker's fiance's... -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
My coworker's fiancée's birthplace outlawed Christianity.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of Our Lord (2014) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
Isaiah 60:1-6
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2013) -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 2:1-5

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Sermon Illustrations for Christ The King (Proper 29) (2014) -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

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Sermon

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Decision
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Morality
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Thoughts
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness is not like the light bulb -- on again -- off again.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The act of evangelism is the overflow of the Spirit in a person's heart.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Becoming
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Happiness
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
My human best filled with the Spirit's best is a tremendous motto for life.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"The Holy Spirit is God at work." (Dwight L. Moody)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Simply having children does not make mothers." (A. Shedd in Salt from My Attic)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
To lead the world to reformation one begins by enlisting the mothers.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Friendship
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Salvation
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Moms are like lighthouses -- they always send out light.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Decision
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mother
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Training
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
God hates sin because of His sinlessness.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
When the Holy Spirit comes, a hungering for excellence is the result.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Bible
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Happiness
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"To be sound in faith and holy in life -- this is the kernel of Christianity." (Augustine)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Men make cars, computers, and helicopters. Women make people.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
No touch is like a mother's touch.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Giving
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Proper 14 - OT 19 - Pentecost 9
25 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 - OT 20 - Pentecost 10
25 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 16 - OT 21 - Pentecost 11
25 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons, etc.
18 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 - OT 22 - Pentecost 12
24 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
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Christopher Keating
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Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Bethany Peerbolte
For August 18, 2019:
  • Seeing the Signs, Taking the Steps by Mary Austin — Jesus tells the crowds listening to him to see the signs, and watch for change in the world. We can interpret the weather, but seeing change in our communal life is much harder.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
The Desert Fathers told of a father and a son who were traveling together. They came to the edge of a forest. Some of the bushes were loaded with berries. They looked so delicious that the son asked if they could stop for a while and pick berries.

The father was anxious to be on his way, but he saw the desire in his son’s eyes and agreed to stay there for a short while. The son was delighted. Together they searched the bushes for the biggest, plumpest, juiciest berries.
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Bob Ove
Frank Ramirez
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Isaiah 5:1-7
In the passage from Isaiah, God is the owner of the vineyard, which represents God's people. The coming destruction (verses 5-6) results from the people's failure to do what God "expected," and hoped for (verses 2, 4, 7). That is, the failure to enact and embody justice and righteousness invites catastrophe.

God’s judgment is just and would ultimately come for the recipients of the prophecy by means of the Assyrians (if the recipients were, as many suggest, the Northern Kingdom).

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Frank Ramirez
Contents
“A Cloud of Witnesses” by Peter Andrew Smith
“A Mind of Their Own” by Frank Ramirez


A Cloud of Witnesses
by Peter Andrew Smith
Hebrews 11:29--12:2

Pastor Will stormed out of the board room.

“Is everything okay, Pastor?” Linda called from the office. “Are you finished already?”

“We’re just taking a break,” he said. “We all need a few minutes”

Will walked into the sanctuary, sat in a pew, and closed his eyes.

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“Jesus said, ‘I came to bring fire to the earth,’...” (v. 49a)

Good morning girls and boys,

It is a good morning, isn’t it? It’s good because you and your family are here at worship. It’s good because I get to talk with you. It’s good because God is here. How awesome is that? Can you think of other reasons why today is a good morning? (children may respond)

What secret do you think I have in this special box? (children guess)

(presenter removes and shows a candle on a candlestick)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
All prospective Church of England clergy are obliged to attend a three day selection conference to determine whether or not they are suitable candidates for ministry in the Church. This can often cause real difficulty for those candidates who are told at the end of the conference that the selectors have decided not to recommend them for training at this time. The candidates feel themselves to have been called by God, but the selectors don't agree.

SermonStudio

Lee Ann Dunlap
Some of the best prophetic voices of any culture are its troubadours. Historically, the term refers to traveling musicians who once strolled the streets and pubs of medieval Europe singing love songs in exchange for food and lodging. Today they travel by jet or private coach filling auditoriums with screaming fans and recording "greatest hits" albums. Regardless of the time or language, music has an almost supernatural power to affect the human soul and even change the course of the human community. It lifts our spirits, bolsters our courage, and points out injustice.

Special Occasion