Emphasis Contributors
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
David Kalas
I’ve attended a lot of NFL games over the years. I lived in Cleveland, Ohio during the 1980s, when the Browns were often fielding an exciting and competitive team. And now, for the past decade, I have been living in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Packers have enjoyed a lot of winning seasons. And so, I’ve been fortunate to watch a lot of good football in person.
The experience of being in the stands, of course, is quite different from watching a game in one’s own living room at home. The latter may be more comfortable and a lot less expensive. But there is something compelling about being part of the crowd: rising and falling emotionally with the 70,000 other people huddled all around you.
The experience of being in the stands, of course, is quite different from watching a game in one’s own living room at home. The latter may be more comfortable and a lot less expensive. But there is something compelling about being part of the crowd: rising and falling emotionally with the 70,000 other people huddled all around you.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
In a comment which explains a lot of what is happening in contemporary America, the Greek philosopher Aristotle observed, “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.” Mahatma Gandhi is said to have observed that “Poverty is the worst form of violence.”
Singer-songwriter Bono observed in a comment in accord with a Christian reading of this lesson (esp.vv.9-10): “To me a faith in Jesus Christ that is not aligned with the poor... it’s nothing.” The initiator of black theology James Cone made a similar comment:
The authentic identity of Christians with the poor is found in the claim which the Jesus-encounter lays upon their own lifestyle, a claim that connects the word "Christian" with the liberation of the poor...
In a comment which explains a lot of what is happening in contemporary America, the Greek philosopher Aristotle observed, “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.” Mahatma Gandhi is said to have observed that “Poverty is the worst form of violence.”
Singer-songwriter Bono observed in a comment in accord with a Christian reading of this lesson (esp.vv.9-10): “To me a faith in Jesus Christ that is not aligned with the poor... it’s nothing.” The initiator of black theology James Cone made a similar comment:
The authentic identity of Christians with the poor is found in the claim which the Jesus-encounter lays upon their own lifestyle, a claim that connects the word "Christian" with the liberation of the poor...
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.
