Emphasis Contributors
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Mark Ellingsen
Joshua 5:9-12
The First Lesson is taken from one of the so-called Old Testament history books. As a whole, the book tells the story of Israel’s successful victory in Canaan. It shares the theological perspective of Deuteronomy and so may be the product of the 7th century BC reforms of King Josiah, though the book clearly has its roots in the oral local traditions prior to the settlement of the Hebrews in Israel. It posits with the Deuteronomistic reform a tension between Yahweh’s mercy or election and a conditional view of salvation being dependent on what Israel does.
This text is an account of the first Passover spent by the Hebrews in the promised land. Yahweh is reported to have said to Joshua that on that day [the first Passover] He...
The First Lesson is taken from one of the so-called Old Testament history books. As a whole, the book tells the story of Israel’s successful victory in Canaan. It shares the theological perspective of Deuteronomy and so may be the product of the 7th century BC reforms of King Josiah, though the book clearly has its roots in the oral local traditions prior to the settlement of the Hebrews in Israel. It posits with the Deuteronomistic reform a tension between Yahweh’s mercy or election and a conditional view of salvation being dependent on what Israel does.
This text is an account of the first Passover spent by the Hebrews in the promised land. Yahweh is reported to have said to Joshua that on that day [the first Passover] He...
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Joshua 9:5-12
Elizabeth Kwak-Hefferan wrote a piece on the Yellowstone National Park website about “Old Faithful.” The geyser was discovered in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition and was named for its frequent and somewhat predictable eruptions, which number more than a million since Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872. In the article Kwak-Hefferan notes, “Old Faithful in Yellowstone, currently erupts around twenty times a day. These eruptions are predicted with a ninety percent confidence rate, within a ten-minute variation, based on the duration and height of the previous eruption.”
Elizabeth Kwak-Hefferan wrote a piece on the Yellowstone National Park website about “Old Faithful.” The geyser was discovered in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition and was named for its frequent and somewhat predictable eruptions, which number more than a million since Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872. In the article Kwak-Hefferan notes, “Old Faithful in Yellowstone, currently erupts around twenty times a day. These eruptions are predicted with a ninety percent confidence rate, within a ten-minute variation, based on the duration and height of the previous eruption.”
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.
