Emphasis Contributors
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
Frank Ramirez
God reigns, now and always, but that is not always immediately apparent. Jeremiah warns the false shepherds, earthly rulers who plunder the flock, that God is watching, and someday the true Shepherd will be revealed! Paul reveals to the Colossians, who have no idea that the geological clock is ticking and an earthquake will devastate their city, that the man on the cross is the head of the body, the beginning and the end, and the first-born of the dead. And in Luke’s gospel we see that Jesus reigns, even from the cross, dispensing mercy and reward to a fellow sufferer.
Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 1:68-79
We seem to be easy targets now, says Jeremiah, but woe! (and Jesus in Luke’s gospel says woe! a lot too). Woe to the...
Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 1:68-79
We seem to be easy targets now, says Jeremiah, but woe! (and Jesus in Luke’s gospel says woe! a lot too). Woe to the...
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 1:68-79
Vernon Kemplin shares this story on Guideposts webpage. Kemplin talks about a time when he and his wife had bought a 1905 farmhouse just outside of Mansfield, Illinois. They moved in during the summer of 1970 and began making repairs to the old house. When fall came and the weather turned cold, they realized they’d forgotten to check something…the furnace! It just wouldn’t work. It was an old furnace. When Kemplin called around, no one could fix it. It was simply obsolete. As Kemplin looked at it one last time, he noticed a card on the joist above the furnace. On the card was the date of installation and a name: Mr. Doss. It was a small town, and he’d heard of some “Doss” family members, so he took a chance and called. Mr....
Vernon Kemplin shares this story on Guideposts webpage. Kemplin talks about a time when he and his wife had bought a 1905 farmhouse just outside of Mansfield, Illinois. They moved in during the summer of 1970 and began making repairs to the old house. When fall came and the weather turned cold, they realized they’d forgotten to check something…the furnace! It just wouldn’t work. It was an old furnace. When Kemplin called around, no one could fix it. It was simply obsolete. As Kemplin looked at it one last time, he noticed a card on the joist above the furnace. On the card was the date of installation and a name: Mr. Doss. It was a small town, and he’d heard of some “Doss” family members, so he took a chance and called. Mr....
Lectionary Commentary and Sermon Illustrations
Emphasis Preaching Journal provides in-depth lectionary-based commentary on lectionary texts, plus thousands of sermon illustrations to help you create riveting sermons.For over 45 years, Emphasis has provided subscribers with scripturally sound, lectionary-based commentaries and sermon illustrations that connect with the people in the pews.
For each week, Emphasis writers delve into the heart of the lectionary readings, providing you with several fresh, solid ideas -- based squarely on the lectionary texts -- for creating sermons that speak powerfully to your audience. They look for overall themes that hold the readings together. Then, they zero in on the themes and the specific scripture links, suggesting directions for the sermon and worship service. Since a single idea each week may not provide what you are looking for at that particular time, writers suggest several, giving you the opportunity to select the one that matches your specific needs.
