Emphasis Contributors
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
David Kalas
Perhaps you have someone in your family or friend group who is fond of photobombing. You know the drill. Someone is trying to take a picture of someone else, and a playful, uninvited third party suddenly pops into the frame. You probably catch it at the time. But if the photobomber was clever, then you may not notice him or her until you go back and look at the picture, only to discover the extra person there in the background.
The three passages assigned to us this week have something of a photobomber. In this case, however, it’s not playful. It’s more sinister and diabolical.
The three passages assigned to us this week have something of a photobomber. In this case, however, it’s not playful. It’s more sinister and diabolical.
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Throughout 2020 and in the decades before, America has been wandering in the wilderness, not unlike the people of Israel and Moses. Pew Research Center reported early in 2020 before the pandemic that the income gap in the U.S. was higher than any of the other six most prosperous nations. The New York Times reported in July of 2020 that one in three Americans is “fearful” about our nation’s future. French Enlightenment theologian Blaise Pascal well describes why we are losing our way and wandering. Nothing in our capitalist economy ultimately satisfies:
Throughout 2020 and in the decades before, America has been wandering in the wilderness, not unlike the people of Israel and Moses. Pew Research Center reported early in 2020 before the pandemic that the income gap in the U.S. was higher than any of the other six most prosperous nations. The New York Times reported in July of 2020 that one in three Americans is “fearful” about our nation’s future. French Enlightenment theologian Blaise Pascal well describes why we are losing our way and wandering. Nothing in our capitalist economy ultimately satisfies:
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.
Archives
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In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Epiphany 2 (OT 2)
28 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 (OT 3)
20 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 4 (OT 4)
34 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
35 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
35 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 5 (OT 5)
34 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New & Featured This Week
The Immediate Word
Christopher Keating
Bethany Peerbolte
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For January 31, 2021:
- Non-Prophet Culture by Chris Keating — False prophets, conspiracy theories and disinformation are no match for the voice of God.
- Second Thoughts: The Authority to Speak by Bethany Peerbolte — The authority of experience is powerful, and may we be strong enough to let go of the demons and live anew without them..
Emphasis Preaching Journal
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
David Kalas
Perhaps you have someone in your family or friend group who is fond of photobombing. You know the drill. Someone is trying to take a picture of someone else, and a playful, uninvited third party suddenly pops into the frame. You probably catch it at the time. But if the photobomber was clever, then you may not notice him or her until you go back and look at the picture, only to discover the extra person there in the background.
StoryShare
David O. Bales
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
“Something New In Old Capernaum” by David O. Bales
“Spiritual Pride Evenly Distributed” by David O. Bales
“The Beginning of Wisdom” by Peter Andrew Smith
Something New In Old Capernaum
by David O. Bales
Mark 1:21-28
“Something New In Old Capernaum” by David O. Bales
“Spiritual Pride Evenly Distributed” by David O. Bales
“The Beginning of Wisdom” by Peter Andrew Smith
Something New In Old Capernaum
by David O. Bales
Mark 1:21-28
CSSPlus
John Jamison
Objects: There are two pieces for this message; a simple magic trick and a badge or certificate you can print out and give to each child.
The Badge: Print the “Amazing” picture badge-size or certificate-size for each child and let them add their names and decorate it as they choose.
The Badge: Print the “Amazing” picture badge-size or certificate-size for each child and let them add their names and decorate it as they choose.
SermonStudio
Charles D. Reeb
Yard sales are interesting to me. I don’t frequent them very often, but I am always fascinated by the fact that “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Someone can’t wait to get rid of old tapes and records — doesn’t want them cluttering up the house anymore. Along comes a complete stranger and he just can’t believe anyone would want to sell them. He buys them for a steal and drives home with a big smile thinking he just committed robbery. He brings the records home, clutters up his own house with them, and he’s as happy as can be. Human beings can be strange sometimes.
Schuyler Rhodes
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (v. 10). "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). These two powerful statements reveal for us the inadequacies of the translation process of the English language. These two juxtaposing passages reveal only a tiny fraction of the contradictions and conflicts found within our holy Word. No wonder people have trouble reading and understanding.
Donald Charles Lacy
Being able to synthesize in such a way that harmony can be the outcome is among the many things the Apostle Paul does well. The often-pesky church at Corinth desperately needed such a skill, written and practiced in charity. To follow his inspired advice comes as a gift to all of us, 2,000 years ago or today.
Harold C. Warlick, Jr.
One of the major ingredients in any kind of endeavor is load-management. A college student, for example, must have special permission from the dean to take more than a certain number of courses per semester. Past wisdom has taught that students experience inevitable time-management problems and personal stress when they overload a schedule.
The Village Shepherd
Janice B. Scott
Dominic Dragon lived in a cave in the Welsh hills. He lived alone, and rarely ventured out of his cave, except when he was hungry or wanted some fun. Both of those events revolved around fire.
When Dominic was hungry he would make for the valleys, and prowl until he found some likely prey for food. He was partial to roast lamb even without any mint sauce, and he quite enjoyed the odd baked cat. But his favourite meal was roast human.
When Dominic was hungry he would make for the valleys, and prowl until he found some likely prey for food. He was partial to roast lamb even without any mint sauce, and he quite enjoyed the odd baked cat. But his favourite meal was roast human.
