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Ron Love

Ronald H. Love was called into the ordained ministry from a career as a state trooper. He has served Methodist churches in rural, inner-city and suburban settings for 20 years, and also served for four years as an Army chaplain. Dr. Love has also been a corporate librarian for a Fortune 500 company and been a university professor for ten years, teaching history and theology. His writing experience includes denominational publications, magazine articles on religion, and a newspaper devotional column. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology (Slippery Rock State College), master's degrees in library and information science (University of Pittsburgh), secondary education (Duquesne University), church history (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), and theology (Wesley Theological Seminary), as well as a doctorate in homiletics (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary). Dr. Love now resides in South Carolina.
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Children's sermon

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The Immediate Word

From Cheers To Jeers -- Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66, Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Leah Lonsbury, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2014
Taken together, the texts for Palm/Passion Sunday provide something of a contradictory message.
Strangers In A Strange Land -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Psalm 133 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
This week’s lectionary gospel text features the curious story of a Syrophoenician woman who plead
Let Us Commence -- Acts 1:6-14, John 17:1-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
The past few weeks we’ve been in the heart of graduation season -- and as one of the chief rites
Sparking Hope From Bricks Of Oppression / Facing The Monster ... Together -- Matthew 16:13-20, Romans 12:1-8, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Psalm 124 -- Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
There’s been no shortage of big headlines this past week, from the stunning news of actor/comedia
Out Of The Depths Of Grief -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
This week’s lectionary texts all revolve around death -- and the rebirth and regeneration that ca
Losing And Finding -- Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:9-21, Exodus 3:1-15 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
The grisly video -- especially for those who could actually bring themselves to watch the “
Revisiting The Resurrection -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 3:1-4 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Preaching the resurrection can be a challenging endeavor -- and in this installment of Th
For All The Saints -- Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 23:1-12, Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 34:1-10, 22 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
Many congregations will be celebrating All Saints Sunday this week -- and in this installment of
A Stone For A Pillow -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Romans 8:12-25 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2014
The Genesis text appointed by the lectionary for Proper 11 describes Jacob’s journey from Beershe
Infinite Infinities -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
The lectionary texts for Trinity Sunday -- specifically the creation story from Genesis and Psalm
Transfiguration Shakeup -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
This week’s gospel text brings us Matthew’s startling account of the Transfiguration.
The Well-Tuned Ear -- John 10:1-10, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
In this week’s gospel text, Jesus tells us that he is the shepherd and gatekeeper for the sheep.
Roger Wilco -- Acts 2:1-21, John 7:37-39, John 20:19-23, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2014
As portrayed in the book of Acts, Pentecost was a strange, exciting, and even bewildering occasio

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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

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2013) -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 7:10-16
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2013) -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
Hosea 1:2-10
NULL -- Acts 9:36-43 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
In the late 1860s, George F. Gates built a home in Independence.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 5 (2013) -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Isaiah 43:16-21
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2013) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
Isaiah 9:2-7
O. Henry, that great... -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
O. Henry, that great short story writer, was born William Sidney Porter.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of the Lord (2013) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2013
Isaiah 60:1-6
The Seventh-Day Adventist... -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Ron Love -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
The Seventh-Day Adventist denomination was founded upon the anticipation of the immediate return of
NULL -- John 10:22-30 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was an Anglican priest in England.
NULL -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Ron Love -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
The honesty and integrity of George Washington is often associated with the story that after he chop
The European... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
The European countries in the late 1800s needed colonies.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For October 26, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I am a scoreboard watcher. I follow a lot more games than I actually watch, but since technology makes it easy to check scores on a moment’s whim, I watch a lot of scoreboards of teams and games that I am at least mildly interested in. And as I check those scores, I find myself having immediate reactions: “Great!” “Oh, that's too bad.” “Excellent!” “Nuts.” And in the midst of that sports-fan roller coaster, I must continually remind myself that not all scores are final.
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Joel 2:22-32
Martin Luther sings the praises of God’s love revealed in this lesson. He wrote:

The love of God which lives in man loves sinners, evil persons, fools and weaklings in order to make them righteous, good, wise, and strong. Rather than seeking its own good, the love of God flows forth and bestows good. (Luther’s Works, Vol. 31, p.57)

John Wesley nicely summarizes the Spirit’s role in fighting the lure of our old sinful habits:

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John Jamison
Object: This message is a role-play story. You will need two children to play the roles of the Pharisee and the tax collector. I usually ask two children if they will help me as they are all coming forward for the message, but you may select them however you choose.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. (vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

We all dislike people who blow their own trumpets, although sometimes we may be in awe of them. Jesus too deplored such behaviour and was never in awe of those who practised it. In our worship today let us open ourselves to Jesus, allowing him to see what is in our hearts.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we allow other people's behaviour to intimidate us.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to reach our own fullest potential because we are afraid.

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
Every morning when sleep leaves and waking comes there is cause for praising God. Caught up, as we are, in the currents and eddies of our lives, this is easy to forget. This wonderful psalm is a reminder. God's bounty and abundance spill into our lives like waters over a causeway. God's delight in creation explodes in a million different colors. In every moment there is reason to give God praise.
Robert R. Kopp
When I was a little boy growing up in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania's First Presbyterian Church, one of those Christian chalk artists with black light, neon colors, and black felt canvas who made pictures of Jesus look like those Elvis portraits for sale on the side of the road at the beach showed up as entertainment for a Sunday evening potluck dinner.
John E. Berger
Today's sermon begins with this little one-person drama.
Mark Ellingson
Have you ever felt that you were absolutely at the end of your rope, left without hope? Sometime during the years of 539 B.C. to 331 B.C. that is the way the people of Judah felt. It seems that their land had been ravaged by a plague of locusts which had had catastrophic consequences.

Once a harvest has been destroyed, you cannot repair it. If a building has burned to the ground, you cannot repair it. In those instances you need to start from scratch with a fresh start.

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