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Wayne Brouwer

Wayne Brouwer is a pastor of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and is an Associate Professor of Religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, as well as a member of the faculty of Western Theological Seminary. Brouwer has been the lead pastor in three different congregations. He is a graduate of Dordt College and holds degrees from Calvin Theological Seminary and McMaster University. Over 700 of his articles have been published as well as over a dozen books. Previous CSS Publishing titles by Pastor Bouwer include Political Christianity and Humming Till the Music Returns. He has been a consistent contributor to Emphasis: A Preaching Journal since 2004 and is one of several authors featured in Navigating the Sermon. Pastor Brouwer resides in Holland, Michigan, with his wife Brenda and they are the parents of three daughters.
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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Imperative -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Recently, British researchers discovered that 42 percent of the church-goers in that country fall as
Transformation -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Oscar Wilde penned a powerful story about behaviors and definitions and justice called The Pictu
Witnesses -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Note: This installment was originally published for April 22, 2012.
Faces at a Funeral -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1--19:42, Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Today is Good Friday. Or Death Day. Or the day of tragedy.
Getting It Right -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Someone has suggested a powerfully illuminating analogy.
The Winning Team of Losers -- Mark 3:20-35, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Psalm 138 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2021
Ernest Gordon’s book To End All Wars (Zondervan, 2002) is the true tale of what took place
Compassion -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2021
A wonderful story is told about Fiorello La Guardia.
Honesty -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2021
Sometimes society asks us to judge with care our words.
Security -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2021
When a young girl came home from Sunday school, her parents asked her about the lesson.
Beholding Glory -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2020
There are only a handful of truly great words in the English language, says one scholar.
Lifestyle Evangelism -- Matthew 5:13-20, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2020
Fred Craddock told of a vacation encounter in the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee that moved hi
Overcoming Objections -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
The Black Angel. That’s what Michael Christopher calls Herman Engel in his famous play.
Transformation -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Acts 10:34-43, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Easter Day - A -- 2020
Second chances are important to us.
Strategic Moves -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2020
There is something wonderfully paradoxical about the Christian church.
Transforming Grace -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago th
Refocus -- Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 10:5-15, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2020
Once when Henrik Ibsen, the Norwegian playwright, was traveling in Rome, he noticed a crowd of peopl
Complaint Department -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2020
A woman who works at Weight Watchers said that a new client had begun her diet.
Witnesses -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2020
Abraham Kuyper served two terms as prime minister of the Netherlands in the early 20th century.
Glory -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2020
King George and Queen Elizabeth once went to a London theater to see a Noel Coward/Gertrude Lawrence
Darkness and Light Wrestle Again -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2019
In the blackness, in the bleakness, we need to sense God’s presence.

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Imperative -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Recently, British researchers discovered that 42 percent of the church-goers in that country fall as
Transformation -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Oscar Wilde penned a powerful story about behaviors and definitions and justice called The Pictu
Faces at a Funeral -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1--19:42, Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Today is Good Friday. Or Death Day. Or the day of tragedy.
The Winning Team of Losers -- Mark 3:20-35, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Psalm 138 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2021
Ernest Gordon’s book To End All Wars (Zondervan, 2002) is the true tale of what took place
Refocus -- Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 10:5-15, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2020
Once when Henrik Ibsen, the Norwegian playwright, was traveling in Rome, he noticed a crowd of peopl

Illustration

StoryShare

New Beginnings For A New Year -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Wayne Brouwer, John E. Sumwalt -- New Year's Day - A -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week

Sermon

SermonStudio

A Career In The Kingdom -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
When Sadie and Bessie, the famed "Delany Sisters," were in the early years of their second centuries
Kingdoms In Conflict -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
When Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1958, the team was in dismal
Why Is God Unfair? -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
One of my favorite courses to teach is "Introduction to Biblical Literature." It is a 200-level cour
Ecological Politics -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2007
One of the greatest military campaigns ever conducted was the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC.
Mistaken Identitiy -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2007
Appearances can be deceiving.
The Road No One Wants To Travel -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2007
Some time ago, I was riding a train through central England and a man boarded at one of the stops.
Religious Balkanization -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2007
As a seminary intern in St. Louis, Missouri, I was part of a Jewish-Christian Dialogue group.
Personal Politics -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2007
Thomas Browne said that "the vices we scoff at in others laugh at us from within ourselves." More th
Why We Need The Pledge Of Allegiance -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
When I was in high school, a new music teacher came to town.
Hunger And Politics -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2007
Yogi Berra, the great baseball player of an earlier age, was known for his unusual and creative use
Political Pardon -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2007
My parents were married in the wave of weddings that followed World War II.
A House Even Better Than "Buurma-Built" -- Romans 8:28, 31, 36, 37-39 -- Wayne Brouwer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly, faithful man
A Life In Rhyme -- Romans 8:1-4, 26-27 -- Wayne Brouwer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful womanA Life In Rhyme
Tour Guide -- Proverbs 3:5-6 -- Wayne Brouwer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful woman who was a tour guideTour Guide
Fade To Black -- James 1:10-11 -- Wayne Brouwer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
A thought pieceFade To BlackJames 1:10-11
Restless Realism -- James 4:9 -- Wayne Brouwer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
A thought pieceRestless RealismJames 4:9
ChristianOptimism -- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
While waiting at an airport, years ago, I saw a couple in their thirties bring an older woman
Anti-Venom Serum -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1999
Years ago, when we lived in Alberta, Sunday nights were very special for us.
I Can't Wait! -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Novelist Irwin Shaw was once taking a meal at a fancy French restaurant.
Promises, Promises, Promises -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Somewhere today a woman picks up another dirty shirt and tosses it into the laundry basket.
The Brink Of Eternity -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Creating a sermon is a funny thing.
Tilting The Balance Of Power -- Romans 16:25-27 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Do you remember when it was that you first realized your parents were people, that they actually wer
Two Kinds Of Baptism -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Wayne Brouwer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1999
A Sunday school teacher challenged her children to take some time on Sunday afternoon to write a let

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Why Is God Unfair? -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
One of my favorite courses to teach is "Introduction to Biblical Literature." It is a 200-level cour
The Road No One Wants To Travel -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2007
Some time ago, I was riding a train through central England and a man boarded at one of the stops.

Stories

StoryShare

New Beginnings For A New Year -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Wayne Brouwer, John E. Sumwalt -- New Year's Day - A -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 22
31 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
25 – Children's Sermons / Resources
27 – Worship Resources
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Proper 26 | OT 31 | Pentecost 23
29 – Sermons
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Proper 27 | OT 32 | Pentecost 24
31 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Quantisha Mason-Doll
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For October 24, 2021:
  • Vision Check by Chris Keating — Jesus’ question of Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” becomes an invitation to a joyful, life-giving transformation experience of discipleship.
  • Second Thoughts: Don’t Let Go of My Hand by Quantisha Mason-Doll — In God’s future no one is left behind — even those who would be considered burdens.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
“Full-Throated Joy?” by David O. Bales
“With Weeping And Joy” by David O. Bales
“Second Chances” by Peter Andrew Smith


Full-Throated Joy?
by David O. Bales
Jeremiah 31:7-9

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Sooner or later, we see life as it really is. Job sees clearly that the universe is greater than he can imagine. It’s not all about him. Something great and wonderful is going on, and though he has suffered tremendous loss, he is to reject dust and ashes and live authentically. He is free to be alive.

The author of Hebrews makes it clear that we don’t have to jump through anyone’s hoops anymore. We have the perfect priest and the perfect sacrifice and as a result we have perfect access to God, unfiltered, unimpeded. That’s how it is.
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Job teaches us that being in the presence of God is an impressive experience. It is beyond what we can think or express. Author Christopher Morley in his book Inward Ho expressed this awesomeness: “I had a thousand questions to ask God; but when I met him they all fed and didn’t seem to matter.” Everything that we thought was so important vanishes in the presence of God. John Wesley put it this way:

CSSPlus

John Jamison

Object: A cloak, or something to use as a cloak, an old bowl, and a handful of pennies.

Note: If you believe your children can do it, this is a great message to have them role-play. Have one child play Bartimaeus, one play Jesus, and the other play the ‘crowd’. Depending on your group, you can ask for volunteers or select specific children for the roles of Jesus and Bartimaeus. If you don’t think role-play will work, just share the story without the role-play pieces.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

They said to the blind man, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." Jesus continues to call us today, so in our worship let us take heart, get up and respond to him.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we don't hear you when you call.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our hearts are low and we feel fed up and depressed.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Wesley T. Runk
Good morning, boys and girls. Today, we are talking about a very big word, and also a very important one. The word is intercession. What do you think the word intercession might mean? (let them answer) Those were all good tries, but they are not the answers. I said it was a big word and not one that we use very often. I think that I can help you learn what it means in just a minute. First of all, I want to tell you that Jesus is our intercession. That will help us to learn more about what the word means.
David E. Leininger
Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year. Physically beautiful with the color and light; spiritually beautiful with story and song. Then there is the special baby -- a baby whose birth was greeted by angels, a baby whose birth meant tidings of joy for all people everywhere, a baby who would save the world. We gather for worship, enjoy familiar company, exchange holiday wishes, then go home, drink eggnog, and eat Christmas treats. God is in heaven and all is right with the world. Or so it often seems.

Stephen M. Crotts
A young man visiting a very small town in Virginia struck up a conversation with an older gentleman sitting on a loafers' bench outside the gas station. "Just look at this town!" The young fellow remarked. "Fresh air, no traffic, you sure don't have much of a population problem around here!" "Wrong, son!" The old man replied. "Dang near every problem we have here is caused by the population!"

It's true everywhere, isn't it? Man's greatest problem is man himself.

The Population Problem

Special Occasion