Login / Signup

Paul A. Laughlin

Pentecost Sale - Save $131!
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Worship

SermonStudio

The apparent absence of God -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 11:33-36, Psalm 95, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: At first it appears that the thirsty (and by now weary) Israelites are expressing m
Our futile present vs. God's future presence -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 24, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: In its original setting, this famous prophecy was directed at a reluctant recipient
The qualities and consequences of the One who comes -- Psalm 72, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This description of the ideal Davidic king (i.e., the hoped-for Messiah) contains t
The requirements of God -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 37, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Prophesying at the end of the eighth century B.C.
The Church's mission in time and space -- Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:46-53 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: With this beginning to what is, in effect, his Volume Two, Luke epitomizes his Gosp
Being borne on eagle's Wings -- Exodus 19:19, Psalm 114, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: One of the most striking images of God in the Pentateuch appears in this passage: G
A Servant with Spirit -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The identity of the Suffering Servant named in this so-called "First Servant Song"
Other gods -- Exodus 20:1-20, Psalm 19, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The commandments of the so-called "First Table," i.e., those dealing directly with
God's coming salvation -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Psalm 97, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: These verses are drawn from a larger passage that announces the imminent restoratio
God's unbearable majesty -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:28-32 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Face imagery permeates this selection.
God's return to reign -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, John 1:1-14 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Deutero-Isaiah's enthronement announcement - "Your God reigns!" - and vision of Yah
Divine commission and human ordination -- Numbers 27:12-23, Psalm 81, Philippians 3:12-21, Matthew 21:33-43 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: In anticipation of his death, Moses asks God to select a successor for him, lest th
The saints' ultimate reward -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 34, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- All Saints Day - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The powerful scene here is best appreciated against the backdrop of the reign of Em
The greatness of godliness -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 135, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The testimonial that concludes the poignantly moving account of Moses' death and se
Felt repentance versus formal regrets -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2 (3-10), Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Psalm 51 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The context for Joel's prophesies is a plague of locusts, which he interprets as a
A God for all -- Ruth 1:1-19a, Psalm 146, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The fact that the heroine of this story is not a Hebrew but a Moabite woman, and th
The power of God's presence -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This joyous coronation anthem probably celebrated the enthronement rather than the
Grace begets grace -- Ruth 2:1-13, Psalm 128, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: It is not entirely clear whether Ruth set out for or happened onto Boaz' field, sin
Easter as God's "Yes" -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118, Matthew 28:1-10 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Easter Day - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The heart of the kerygmatic recapitulation contained in Peter's speech to Gentiles
Small human events in God's great plan -- Ruth 4:7-17, Psalm 127, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The key idea in this selection is that people behaving righteously in small events
Public holiness -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 5:38-48 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The first two verses of this chapter set the theme: holiness.
End-time expectations -- Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 50, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The warning of Amos is against the presumption of those among his own people who we
Ritual versus righteousness -- Isaiah 58:3-9a, Psalm 112, Matthew 5:13-16 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Trito-Isaiah, writing in the context of the early days of the return of the exiles
The jealousy of God -- Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, Psalm 76, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Writing in the days of the reformer King Josiah and the prophet Jeremiah, Zephaniah
God's eternal plan: a Gospel for the world -- Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The axis around which this (probably pseudoPau line) passage turns is the idea of G
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For July 27, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A card with Luke’s short version of the Lord’s Prayer to give to each child. Make your own card or use the one I have attached to this message.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s hear the story. But I want to begin by asking you a question.

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Luke frowned at the email he was writing. He moved a couple of words around and then hit the save button. He ran the email though the grammar checker and spell checker again. He took a deep breath and then started reading through it one more time. After he finished, he noticed the time. He had to send it soon or it would be too late for there to be a response before the deadline. He sighed and sat back in his chair. He wished he wasn’t so nervous.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Hosea 1:2-10 and Psalm 85
I came across an interesting fact about how the state of Ohio deals with sealing and expunging a court record. The process for filing a court file and expunging a criminal record are combined into the same thing. If granted, the request seals the record forever, and officials are not allowed to discuss the person’s past criminal record.
David Coffin
Another mass shooting appears on the television “Breaking News!” Many people have lost count of the number of school or concert shootings in the recent years in the USA. Usually prominent are comments such as, “We hold these families up in prayer,” and “more mental health is needed.” People who work both in spiritual care and mental health have heard this all before.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.


God, the centre of my being,

When I think of you, praise spills from my lips. I wish I always acted as though you were my centre, for then perhaps your kingdom would be known here.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Advent 2, Cycle B, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 8-13.)

In 1988, Southern Baptists held their annual convention in San Antonio, Texas. It was a contentious meeting, as factions within the denomination vied for control of the various agencies and boards. Throughout the week, angry words were spoken across the aisle as various resolutions and officer elections revealed the deep schism growing within the group.

Michael D. Wuchter
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial."
-- Luke 11:1-4

One of the disciples said to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray."

Lee Ann Dunlap
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't
put Humpty Dumpty together again.


This is a nursery rhyme we learned as children, and somewhere along the line in history class we were taught that its composer, "Mother Goose," was, in fact, a political satirist. If we look between the lines of these playful rhymes we will find some kind of hidden message poking fun at royalty. (I guess you had to be there to get the joke.)
Kirk R. Webster
Do you have somebody in your world who seems to live his/her life daily on a treadmill of self-imposed rules, almost as Tarzan swings from one vine to another? These people swoop from one regulation to another rule, to another regulation, in an attempt to maintain control and safety in their lives. They travel by self-imposed boundaries that probably aren't necessary to a fulfilling life. Consider our 45-year-old suburbanite named Jim.
Julia Ross Strope
A single song is being inflected through all the colorations of the human choir.
The way to become human is to recognize the lineaments of God in all the wonderful modulations of the face [of humankind].
-- Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces

Call To Worship (Leader)
We are in sanctuary -- together, removed from the world, secluded for a while.
We have brought with us our burdens and anxieties.
We've come here with our hopes and thanksgivings.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL