Login / Signup

Wayne Brouwer

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

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

I Want to See! -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2024
In Morris West’s novel The Clowns of God, there’s a powerful scene where a father and his d
When Democracy Isn't Enough -- John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4b-8, 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2024
One morning in 1872, David Livingstone wrote this in his diary: “March 19, my birthday.
What Did You Get for Christmas? -- Isaiah 62:6-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 -- Wayne Brouwer -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2024
There is a powerful scene in Herman Melville’s great epic, Moby Dick, where Captain Ahab st
Clone of Traveling with Abraham -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
You remember the story... Abraham was a great old man, probably 125 or so!
A People Belonging to God -- John 10:1-10, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
You remember the story... Abraham was a great old man, probably 125 or so!
Breath of Life -- John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2023
An ancient Jewish legend declares, “Pentecost is the day on which Torah was given.” One wonders whet
Reborn -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2023
Tony Campolo once told of a student who came to him in his office at Eastern Christian College.
Dawn on the Horizon -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Romans 8:12-25, Genesis 28:10-19a -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2023
In Morris West’s novel The Clowns of God, there’s a powerful scene where a father and his d
Which Leader Should We Follow? -- Matthew 16:13-20, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2023
Coaching is nothing without a team that responds.
Authority and Obedience -- Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Exodus 17:1-7 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2023
An ice storm on Saturday night! Everything was cancelled.
Humble (and Proud of It!) -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2023
Frank Fowler tells this amazing story: during World War II, fifteen hundred international noncombata
Catalyst -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2023
Life happens. Steady, unrelenting, life happens.
Dare We Expect? -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Alone for his first cruise ship voyage, a young man felt a stranger among crowds of aging patrons.
What Do We Do with Jesus? -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
A friend once explained it like this: in a dream, he saw a marvelous apparatus of yellow silk billow
Social Circles -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2023
Here is a great poem by Edwin Markham. Listen closely!
Traveling with Abraham -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
You remember the story... Abraham was a great old man, probably 125 or so!
Sharing the Table -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2023
Fred Craddock once flew to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to speak at a church conference.
Perspective -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2022
We live in a pluralized world where all opinions seem valid, and the only perspective about which we
Glow -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2022
During the time of the Reformation, John Foxe of England was impressed by the testimony of the early
Labels and Names -- John 12:1-8, Philippians 3:4b-14, Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Dr. E. Stanley Jones related an incident from his missionary days that illustrates Jesus’ point.
Starting Over -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Sometimes the healing of our hurts starts only when we find another song to sing.
Connected and Ready -- Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2022
A noted businessman was in high demand on the speakers’ circuit.

Free Access

Lost... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Exodus 20:1-17, John 2:13-22 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Each of our lectionary readings for today reminds us that we have forgotten who we are.
Reaching -- 2 Samuel 19:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2024
In Hendrik Ibsen’s famous drama Peer Gynt, the hero of the story tries to find the meaning
Dawn on the Horizon -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Romans 8:12-25, Genesis 28:10-19a -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2023
In Morris West’s novel The Clowns of God, there’s a powerful scene where a father and his d

Illustration

Sermon

SermonStudio

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
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
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.
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
Mountain Standard Time -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1999
Somewhere today there is a widow who sits at the window of her apartment.
Beyond Personal Preferences -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
In one of his early books (The Trouble with Parents, Zonder-van, 1978), Tim Stafford told of a youth
Promiscuous Preaching -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
When I was in high school we had a "spiritual awakening" at our school.
Working Out In The Gymnasium Of Faith -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1999
Good athletes make it all seem so easy: precision, coordination, grace, and strength.
Christian Optimism -- 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 to her

Free Access

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

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Baptism of Our Lord
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 2 | OT 2
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 25, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, to follow him. They immediately made their decision and dropped everything, for they knew the importance of their call. When Jesus calls us, do we hear him and do we respond?

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when I'm busy I find it difficult to hear you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy, I find it difficult to respond to you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy I'm not sure whether I want to follow you.
Lord, have mercy.
Janice B. Scott
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun who was the heroine of the story had all sorts of difficulties in relationships with the other nuns. The problem was that she was super-intelligent, and the other nuns resented her. In the end the young nun went to the Mother Superior for advice, and was told that as a sign of humility she should fail her coming exams!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Angel of Mercy"
Shining Moments: "A Dog's Life" by David Michael Smith
Good Stories: "God's Call" by Stephen Groves
Scrap Pile: "The Way Less Taken" by Garry Deverell


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

C. David Mckirachan
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"Ordinary Time" by C. David McKirachan
"Who's the Fool?" by C. David McKirachan
"Sharing the Light" by Sandra Herrmann


* * * * * * *


Ordinary Time
by C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 9:1-4

SermonStudio

John N. Brittain
How familiar Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1 sound! Chloe's people had reported quarreling among the believers. Imagine that -- disagreements in a church! There were rivalries and backstabbing even in the very earliest days of the Christian community.
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
A few years ago, I was on a retreat in northern Michigan, and I knew that some of our friends from home were sailing in the vicinity. One evening I went to the local boat dock, and walked through the lines of boats calling out the names of our friends, hopeful that they might be there. I remember the joy I felt when I yelled their names, and they answered! They were actually there, and they responded to my call!
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: In Christ's Name
Message: What on earth will bring us together, God? Lauds, KDM

How long must we wait, God,
for people to stop fighting
nations and nations
buyers and sellers
big ones and little ones
in-laws and relatives
husbands and wives
sisters and brothers
for me to stop fighting with me?
How long must we wait, God,
before we let the Christ Child come here?1
William B. Kincaid, III
In some parts of the country it doesn't matter, but in many areas the snow which falls during this time of the year can bring things to a decisive halt. Schools close. Events are canceled. Travel becomes tricky. If the conditions become severe enough, the decision may be made that not everybody should try to get to work. Only those who are absolutely necessary should report.
R. Glen Miles
"There will be no more gloom." That is how our text begins today. For the ones who were in anguish, glory will replace the gloom. Light will shine in darkness. Celebration will replace oppression. A new day will dawn.

In one sense these verses offer a summary of the overall message of the scriptures, "The darkness will pass. The light of a new day is dawning and there will be joy once again." At the end of the Bible, almost as if the original collectors of these sacred texts intended to remind us again of this word of hope, the Revelation of John tells us:
Robert A. Beringer
After a service of ordination to the Christian ministry, a sad-faced woman came up to the newly-ordained pastor and said, "It's a grand thing you are doing as a young man - giving up the joys of life to serve the Lord." That woman's attitude reflects a commonly held belief that to be serious about our faith means that we expect all joy to be taken out of living. For many, Christianity appears to be a depressing faith, with unwelcome disciplines, that cramps our lifestyle and crushes our spirits.
John T. Ball
All religions offer salvation. Eastern religions offer salvation from the illusion of being separated from ultimate reality - as in Hinduism, or from the pains of desire, as in Buddhism. Nature religions preach a salvation by calling us to realize we are linked to the natural world. Humanistic religions offer a salvation tied to the call to live in dignity and justice without divine aid. The biblical religions - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity - describe salvation in somewhat different ways. Judaism sees salvation primarily as an earthly and corporate affair.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Litany Of Confession
P: Discord, dissention, strife,
C: anger, violence, hatred;
P: we confess to you, O God,
C: our schemes, our willful rebellion,
our hidden hostilities toward your children.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our lack of trust in your presence,
our need to control, our insatiable appetite for praise.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our fear of speaking the truth in love,
our self-hatred, our moments of utter despair
when we no longer believe you are at work in us.
Wayne H. Keller
Adoration And Praise

Invitation to the Celebration
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Canticle Of Light And Darkness (UM205)
To Us A Child Of Hope Is Born (CBH189)
God Of Our Strength (CBH36)
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus (CBH250, UM297, NCH190, PH92)
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory (CBH566, UM295, NCH193--194, PH84)
Lord, You Have Come To The Lakeshore (CBH229, NCH173, PH377, UM344)
Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life (PH408, CBH405, UM42, NCH543)
Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult (UM398, NCH171--172, CBH398)

Anthems

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind today's lectionary passages. MacDonald called his tale "The Day Boy and the Night Girl: the Romance of Photogen and Nycteris" (it is available online at http://www.ccel.org/m/macdonald/daynight/daynight.html). In MacDonald's fable a witch steals a newborn girl and raises her in the total darkness of a cave. The witch experiences both light and darkness, but not the girl. She is completely immersed in the black world.
Wayne Brouwer
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill. "In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times."

In one of his essays, Albert Camus describes a powerful scene. John Huss, the great Czech reformer of the church, is on trial. His accusers twist all his ideas out of shape. They refuse to give him a hearing. They maneuver the political machine against him and incite popular passion to a lynch-mob frenzy. Finally, Huss is condemned to be burned at
David Kalas
Schuyler Rhodes
I was in the home of a church member the other day where I saw a marvelous family portrait. The picture had been taken on the occasion of a fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the entire family had gathered for the occasion. The celebrating husband and wife were seated in the center of the picture, flanked by their adult children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It was a magnificent full-color illustration of God's design.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL