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Richard A. Jensen

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The Immediate Word

I Will Pour Out My Spirit On All Flesh -- Acts 2.1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Day of Pentecost - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,

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Are You Waiting For Godot? -- Mark 13:24-37, Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Richard A. Jensen, John E. Sumwalt, Gregory Tolle, R.h. Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up This Week

The Immediate Word

I Will Pour Out My Spirit On All Flesh -- Acts 2.1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Day of Pentecost - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 27, Proper 28 -- Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We have chosen to discuss two texts together in one chapter.
Proper 27 Proper 28 -- Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We have chosen to discuss two texts together in one chapter.
Christ The King; Proper 29 -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We come to the end of the Church Year.
Resurrection Of The Lord -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Resurrection is the heart and climax of Matthew's story.
The Holy Trinity -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The closing verses of Matthew's Gospel include the Trinitarian formula in the call to go to all the
Advent 2 -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Enter John the Baptist. Matthew doesn't introduce this desert prophet until now.
Christ The King -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We come to the end of the Church Year.
Baptism Of The Lord; Epiphany 1 -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
This week's assigned Gospel story is a continuation of the story assigned for the Second Sunday in A
Proper 6 -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The appointed Gospel reading for this week begins with the words: "Then Jesus went about all the cit
Lent 1 -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The Gospel text appointed for this week has allusions to many, many stories throughout the Bible.
Proper 7 -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The Gospel assigned for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost comes out of the heart of Matthew 10.
Epiphany 3 -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
This week's Matthew text takes us from Part I to Part II in the outline of Matthew that we proposed
Proper 8 -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We come now to the final passage in the section of Matthew's Gospel which Robert Smith has called:
The Sermon On The Mount -- Matthew 5:1--7:27 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Our outline of Matthew's Gospel presented Matthew 1:1--4:16 as Part One which introduces Jesus of Na
Advent 3 -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
This week's Gospel text is our first big jump in Matthean order for this church year.
Proper 5 -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The Gospel text appointed for this week comes from Matthew 9.
Proper 9 -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The text appointed for this week omits 11:20-24.
Advent 2 -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Enter John the Baptist. Matthew doesn't introduce this desert prophet until now.
Proper 12 -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The whole of Jesus' discourse in parables in Matthew 13 demonstrates for us that Jesus did much of h
Baptism Of The Lord; Epiphany 1 -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
This week's assigned Gospel story is a continuation of the story assigned for the Second Sunday in A
Proper 13 -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We move this week from the parables of Jesus (last week's text was Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52) to Jesus
Lent 1 -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The Gospel text appointed for this week has allusions to many, many stories throughout the Bible.
Proper 14 -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Jesus is busy and active in this week's appointed text.
Epiphany 3 -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
This week's Matthew text takes us from Part I to Part II in the outline of Matthew that we proposed
Proper 15 -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The assigned Gospel text for this week skips over a couple of sections in Matthew's story.

Sermon

The Immediate Word

I Will Pour Out My Spirit On All Flesh -- Acts 2.1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Day of Pentecost - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,

Stories

StoryShare

Chasing Buzzards -- Luke 13:31-35, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Psalm 27 -- C. David Mckirachan, Richard A. Jensen -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Contents"Chasing Buzzards" by C. David McKirachan
Where's Jesus? -- John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Timothy F. Merrill, Constance Berg, Richard A. Jensen -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
Contents"Where's Jesus?" by Timothy F. Merrill
Fake Fire -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Timothy F. Merrill, Richard A. Jensen -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Contents"Fake Fire" by Timothy Merrill
In That Day -- Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 12, Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Argile Smith, Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week "In That Day" by Argile Smith
Are You Waiting For Godot? -- Mark 13:24-37, Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Richard A. Jensen, John E. Sumwalt, Gregory Tolle, R.h. Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up This Week

SermonStudio

Great Reversals -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 1994
The theme of poverty, riches, possessions and the realm of God is a constant theme of Luke.
The Case Of A Grocery Store Fix -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
It happened just about every time she went shopping for groceries.
The Laughter Of Faith -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1994
God called Sarah, too!
The Wretched Of The Earth -- Luke 1:47-55 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
"Look down and see the beggars at your feet. Look down and show some mercy if you can.
The Faithful Harlot -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1994
What's a bad girl like you doing in a list like this?
Jesus Must Be A Real Person! -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Richard A. Jensen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 1994
A missionary worked some years ago among a very primitive group of people in Papua New Guinea.
A Bent Over Woman -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 1994
The woman with the battered face.
Jesus, Remember Me -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1994
Sheila Stone had had the respect of everyone in her community.
The Uninvited -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 1994
"I was the guy that never got chosen by either side." The speaker of these words was a man by the na
A Shroud Unto Life -- Luke 24:1-12 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Easter Day - C -- 1994
Who will ever forget those first pictures?
Bearing The Cross -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 1994
At long last, Laura McDermott had fulfilled her lifelong dream.
''This Is My Body'' -- John 20:19-31 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Tommy Russo tried and tried to go to church with his wife.
The Joy Of God -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 1994
Dr. Yoshiro Ishida is an international church leader in the Lutheran Church.
From All Nations, Tribes, Peoples, Languages -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Mina lived in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Final Payment -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 1994
The story of Mary Gordon's book, Final Payments begins with a funeral.
No More Tears -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Can you imagine a four-year-old boy falling to his death from the 53rd floor of a New York City apar
Hear No Evil ... -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 1994
Remains Of The Day is a powerful movie starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.
God's Evangelism Plans -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
The fall of Haile Selassie in 1974 did not bring the kind of peace that the Ethiopians had hoped mig
Gospel Grandmothers -- 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 1994
United Church has a tradition. They were known for supporting their pastors very well.
The Holy Spirit Doesn't Have A Copy Machine -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 1994
The wind of the Spirit blew through St.

Worship

The Immediate Word

I Will Pour Out My Spirit On All Flesh -- Acts 2.1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Day of Pentecost - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For August 17, 2025:
  • When Good News Is Bad News by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Charles Darwin believed that the two most significant achievements in human history were the development of language and the harnessing of fire. Today we apply both, language and the symbol of fire, to our understanding of the gospel.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Isaiah 5:1-7
David Coffin
When does the status quo no longer seem to be working? In her book, The Last Flight Julie Clark begins with the seemingly flawlessly choreographed life of Claire Cook, the wife of a wealthy politician at the peak of this political dynasty. Despite the elegant surroundings of the Manhattan townhouse, staff of ten servants, life behind closed doors is different. Her husband Rory has a hot temper, and is abusive. There is also the memory of the mysterious death of his first wife.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? (Jeremiah 23:26)

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:56)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A fire extinguisher.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started. But I need to warn you that this is a really strange story. At least the things that Jesus says sound really strange. But let’s see if we can figure out what the story is really all about.

(Show the fire extinguisher.)  This is a little reminder that sometimes it is really hard to follow Jesus and do what he wants us to do!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that life would not be easy for Christians, but calls us to stand up for our beliefs. In our worship today let us acknowledge and explore the difficulties of standing as a Christian in today's society.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we find it easier to go with the flow than to stand against other people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the number of people who ignore you.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Advent 4, Cycle A, and Advent 1, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)

William E. Keeney
49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her
Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage is famously known as Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard." It begins with the prophet singing, in what we would describe as troubadour-fashion, a love song about his dod, his friend, the beloved. Everyone is interested in a love affair, of course, and so the song is intended to capture the interest of Isaiah's listeners.
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
What can faith do? It can part a raging sea and allow a nation to walk through. What can faith do? It can knock down the walls of a fortified city so that God can prove a point. What can faith do? It can single out a woman who follows God's lead and protect her from certain death. Today many people are into "reality" television shows where individuals are put to extreme tests. We watch them because we like to see others battle against great odds and come out victorious.

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