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John T. Ball

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Advent: The Call To Holiness -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- John T. Ball -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Anytime we center on First Thessalonians in our devotional reading or in a study group or read a pas
Advent: A Wider Context -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- John T. Ball -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
The congregation at the Macedonian city of Philippi was the first church established by Paul in Euro
Advent: An Irrational Sense Of Peace -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- John T. Ball -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
We are always touched by newspaper or media stories of people who have come through some terrible ex
Advent: Jesus, The Suffering Savior -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- John T. Ball -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
This is our final Sunday in Advent.
Christmas Eve/Day In A Minor Key -- Titus 2:11-14 -- John T. Ball -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
One of the best things in the modern church is the creation of our Common Lectionary.
Our Christmas Gift -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- John T. Ball -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Since the 1600s, in a historical period called the "Enlightenment," scholars have been studying the
Two For The Price Of One -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
Today is an important day in the life of the world and the life of the church.
Getting The Complete Understanding Experience -- Acts 8:14-17 -- John T. Ball -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Many times we settle for lives and experiences that are limited and incomplete.
You Can't Whistle The Finale From Beethoven's Fifth Symphony! -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
Halford Luccock, onetime professor of homiletics at Yale Divinity School, told of going to a childre
Who's Going To Play Second Horn? -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
I know someone who achieved a modest excellence in playing the French horn in his high school days.
When They Are Gathered At The Chancel -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
We have all witnessed this scene: the bride and groom are standing at the altar of the church surrou
The Good News Of Christ -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news....
You Can't Undo Appomattox -- So Let's Get On With It! -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
There are some things that once begun, cannot be undone.
When Arlington National Cemetery Is Full -- 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
The honored dead from our fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq have created a problem for Arlington Nati
When Truth Comes Via An Invalid Argument -- 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
Sometimes truth comes to us by way of an invalid argument or perspective.
We're On Our Way, Baby -- 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:3 -- John T. Ball -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Today is the Sunday when we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus, a moment in his ministry when up
Palm/Passion Sunday And Today's Faith -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- John T. Ball -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2005
In the slaughter of World War I, 1914-1918, a whole generation of European men went to their deaths.
The Word Behind The Text -- John 6:1-21 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2005
Entering her office, the Reverend Ashley Baker-Campbell noticed her secretary was paging her: "Sally
Finding Jesus -- John 6:24-35 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2005
Martin Hanford is the author of several popular children's books featuring "Waldo," a dapper little
Jesus -- The Bread Guy -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is often the "Bread Guy." Here he is different from the Jesus of Matthe
Resisting Jesus -- John 6:51-58 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Sometimes people have difficulty understanding Jesus, or say they do.
The Unsuccessful Jesus -- John 6:56-69 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
John 6:56-69 is a great passage from John's Gospel.
Time For A Minimalist Faith -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
Some years ago, a San Francisco author who often worked as a stevedore on the city's docks, wrote,
A Healing Ministry For The Modern Church -- Mark 7:24-37 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
The mission and ministry of Jesus was preaching, teaching, and healing.
Generosity As The Clue To Life -- Mark 8:27-38 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
All the great founders of our religious traditions offer secrets to the good life.

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Reading Past The Semicolon -- John 1:29-42, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11 -- C. David Mckirachan, John T. Ball -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Reading Past the Semicolon" by John Ball
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Proper 12 - OT 17 - Pentecost 7
26 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons, etc.
15 – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 13 - OT 18 - Pentecost 8
24 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
18 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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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...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
Ron Love
Bethany Peerbolte
George Reed
For July 28, 2019:
  • My Husband; My Wife by Dean Feldmeyer — Even when we have been unfaithful, when we have been dysfunctional and destructive, when we have been mean, and hateful, and all those things that make us so disgustingly human, even then, God brings us home from the back alleys of sin and covers us with grace.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
The parable of the man who turns away the midnight caller? Ridiculous! The idea that God would find a way to restore a broken relationship with people who will not obey simple, life giving commands, is absurd. No. Ridiculous! The idea that someone would choose vain and empty philosophies and catch phrases after entering a relationship with the true and eternal God? Ridiculous!

Hosea 1:2-10
Bob Ove
Mark Ellingsen
Ron Love
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Frank Ramirez
Hosea 1:2-10
A Canadian alternative music group called Borg Queen had a song relevant to this text, lest we be too quick to condemn the prostitute Gomer. The lyrics tell us:

We all have a price someone will pay
Don’t give it away, Don’t give it away
You and me are a commodity
And we’re all whores in our own unique way.

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” (v. 1b)

Good morning children,

It's really wonderful to see you children. You appear happy and eager to be here.

I'm happy to be here too, and to share thoughts with you about prayer.

Can you tell me what you know about prayer? (children respond, don't be surprised at their answers) What else can you tell me about prayer? (children respond)

StoryShare

Keith Wagner
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
“Is that a Knock at the Door?” by Keith Wagner
“Living with a Thankful Spirit” by Keith Wagner
“A Child of the Living God” by Peter Andrew Smith


Is that a Knock at the Door?
by Keith Wagner
Luke 11:1-13

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
When Moira's husband was killed in a car crash at the age of 35, Moira was understandably devastated. For days she was in shock and hardly knew what she was doing. And since she'd kissed Mike goodbye as usual that morning, she couldn't believe that he was really dead, even though the police arrived at her place of work and told her. But Moira just couldn't take it in.

Then, as it eventually began to dawn on her that it really was true and that she'd never see Mike again, she felt utter, crushing despair. It was then that she began to bargain with God.

SermonStudio

J. Will Ormond
This sermon was prepared for and preached at a chapel service at Columbia Seminary at which the Lord's Supper was celebrated. The bread was three loaves in a basket on the Table. These loaves were broken at the time of the distribution of the elements. The Moores referred to lived next door to me at the time. Mrs. Moore was manager of the seminary dining hall.

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