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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

Power on display -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22, Psalm 99 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2008
"Creation was the greatest of all revolutions," said G. K. Chesterton. When young Anne
The tipping point -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2007
In his book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell shows how some events and
Keep looking up -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 65 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2007
In my childhood home, there was a wall plaque, unadorned except for three words: "Keep
Encouragement -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
Alan Loy McGinnis told of a woman who was honored by her company for outstanding
The secret of a perfect Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35, Psalm 100 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2007
Mehmed II was the great Ottoman conqueror who captured Constantinople in 1453.
Glory -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2007
William Beebe, the naturalist, used to visit fellow nature-lover, Theodore Roosevelt.
Political religion -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill.
Defining moments -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16, Psalm 26 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
There are many benefits to pastoral ministry. We are invited to share with people their
The face at the center of history -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
My friend is an agnostic. He grew up in a Christian family where church participation
Majesty -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Several generations ago, King George and Queen Elizabeth went to a London theater to
Songs of joy -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18, Isaiah 12:2-6 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
A colleague of mine once decried the way that people in his congregation wished to sing
Wise child -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52, Psalm 148 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Often a child's perspective is uncannily wise because his/her logic is so direct. A woman
Wedding bells -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11, Psalm 36:5-10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
A former US president and his wife were reputed to have visited their old hometown and
Looking down to see heaven -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 138 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
Some mornings, when I ride my bike, the world is still very dark. I have to pick my way
Love that hurts -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Psalm 51:1-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
The story is told of a young girl whose very best friend lived just down the street. They
The day boy and the night girl -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23, Psalm 27 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind toda
Journey -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Remember when you first said to someone that you loved her?
Looking for a leader -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Leadership is a hot topic in business and society.
Family privilege -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39, Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
My daughters know the direct access code to my office phone.
Doing our part -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
My four-year-old daughter wanted to be near her daddy the other day, even though I was busy in the g
On beyond perfection -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
On Beyond Zebra! Remember the book by Dr. Seuss?
The road no one wants to travel -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Last winter, I had to attend a meeting in Ontario, Canada.
Believing is seeing -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Sometimes we see people who are wide-eyed with wonder.
People you can count on -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20, Psalm 124 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Some years ago, a major research firm conducted a survey to determine what people would be willing t
Finding safety in the call of the wild -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
There are two themes that run through the passages for today.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
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
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For September 28, 2025:
  • Money! Money! Money! by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. “This is the even-handed dealing of the world! There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!” — Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
The president of the college I attended was the kind of man who always said what was on his mind. He had a very healthy self-image and wasn’t concerned about how people might take him. At one of the graduation ceremonies, he stood at the podium, looked out over the huge crowd of people, shook his head, and said to himself (right into the microphone, of course), “All these Christians in one place, and no one’s taking an offering!”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
The lesson makes clear that God is present in the world of business, in our daily work.  John Wesley offered thoughtful reflections on the nature of work; he noted:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. (vv. 14-15)

One morning last October, Bruce Klemm got up and sang a song to his wife, Virginia, as he has done every morning of the 42 years they have been married. Little did he know that within a few hours, he would be calling her to say goodbye.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told a story about a rich man and a beggar to illustrate the way in which we fail to notice those who are poor. In our worship today let us remember the poor and ask God to teach us a real concern for them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we fail notice some people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we deliberately leave people out.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we care only about ourselves.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Lent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 9-16.)

The writer of this psalm deftly employs a striking image, that at once offers us hope in times of trouble -- but at the same time, redefines for us what it means to be a human being in the world.

Schuyler Rhodes
Many Christians can be heard in or out of worship these days as they lift up their voices and say, "Praise the Lord!" The phrases are familiar, almost rote. Mouths open and words emerge. Pastors and liturgists remind the faithful that this God is not only worthy of our praise; this God sort of requires it of us. This God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5) who brooks no competition from other gods we might pursue. Yes, God is worthy of praise. Right?
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
It always amazes me when I read about a sports figure who decides to hold out for more money. With salaries that are often in the millions, they feel underpaid unless they are at the next level. I heard one player say to a reporter on Sports Center, "It's not about the money. It is about respect." A few moments later, the host of the show made the comment, "When they say it isn't about the money, it's always about the money."

Chrysanne Timm
As we conclude several weeks of readings in the book of the prophet Jeremiah and next week look at the companion text from the book of Lamentations, a common thread begins to emerge. It is the thread of grief. Jeremiah has been called by God to a truly thankless job -- that of accompanying the people of his homeland into a time of loss and grief. Because of decades of idolatry and treaties with neighboring nations, the people of Judah will lose the land God once graciously gave to their ancestors.
R. Robert Cueni
The lesson for today continues the discussion on the proper use of material possessions by describing what happens when a person tries to "serve both God and wealth" (Luke 16:13). Today's Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus leaves us repulsed by the gory details, puzzled by the literal description of eternal life, and hopeful that the Lord didn't really mean all those terrible things about the punishment due us "Haves" for our treatment of the "Have Nots."

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. I brought some coins with me this morning. (Show the coins.) How many of these coins would it take to be rich? (Let them respond.) I think it would take millions of these coins before you would really be rich. How many of you would like to be rich? (Wait for show of hands.) I think most of us would like to be rich. What would you think if you had a wish that everything you touched turned to gold? (Let them respond.) You would soon have lots and lots of gold and you would quickly be very, very rich. There's a famous story about a man who had

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