Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

This past year I sat... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
This past year I sat in my NFL quarterback chair in our family room watching an NFL game coming from
Orville was a six-year... -- Romans 8:31-39 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
Orville was a six-year-old boy, the last of several children born and raised in this farm house.
EmmanuelI close my... -- 1 Kings 19:9-18 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1994
EmmanuelI close my eyes,envisioning the beautyof enormous snowflakes
The old man was seated... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1994
The old man was seated at the counter in the big-city cafe.
How do you tell the... -- 2 Kings 4:18-21, 32-37 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1994
How do you tell the importance of a religious man? By telling of his miracles.
Perhaps each of us knows... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
Perhaps each of us knows at least one little girl or boy who is positive that the gift they want the
There is nothing which has... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- 1994
"There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man by which so much happiness is produced as by a
As a professor in a... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
As a professor in a professional faculty in the local university, my friend is asked each year to wr
Many legends have grown up... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
Many legends have grown up about King Richard I "the Lionheart" of England, largely due to the even-
It was in the mid... -- 2 Kings 2:1-15 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1994
It was in the mid-40s, and Dr. Selden D.
During the first days of... -- Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1994
During the first days of Boris Yeltsin's economic reforms, there was much confusion and hardship in
A small coastal town in... -- Isaiah 57:14b-21 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1994
A small coastal town in France was blessed with a fine natural harbor.
The gospels tell us that... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1994
The gospels tell us that when Jesus was baptized God spoke from heaven and said to him, "You are my
The media would have a... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1994
The media would have a field day with this one.
I saw a poster that... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1994
I saw a poster that read, "A friend is someone who hears the song in my heart and sings it for me wh
A magazine ad for Nike... -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1994
A magazine ad for Nike shoes reads: "There you are.
This entire commandment that I... -- Deuteronomy 8:1-10 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1994
"This entire commandment that I command you today you must diligently observe ..."
I once received too much... -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1994
I once received too much change after making a purchase at a large department store.
Marvin and Nellie were both... -- Numbers 11:25-29 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
Marvin and Nellie were both retired and itching for something to do.
One day, Abraham Lincoln was... -- James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1994
One day, Abraham Lincoln was walking down the street with his two sons, both of whom were crying.
The story is told of... -- James 3:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1994
The story is told of a servant named Aesop who was asked to prepare a great banquet.
In the 1980 Olympic Winter... -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1994
In the 1980 Olympic Winter Games Bob Johnson was the coach of the American Hockey Team.
Many of you will remember... -- Isaiah 59:(1-4) 9-19 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
Many of you will remember the movie, Paint Your Wagon, which starred Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin.
Norman was driving through the... -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1994
Norman was driving through the mountains of Tennessee.
One afternoon, author and sociologist... -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
One afternoon, author and sociologist Tony Campolo received a phone call from a friend who was meeti

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – 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
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For September 7, 2025:

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him…. (vv. 28-29)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A pair of heavy gloves you might use to protect your hands when you are working or gardening.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But I need to warn you that this story can be really tough to understand, so let’s see if we can figure it out.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that we must be utterly committed to him, even to facing danger and pain, if we want to follow him. In our worship today, let us ask him for help in this formidable task.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are scared to stand up for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we love other things more than you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we are more concerned with our own image than with you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
-- Psalm 139:1-2

Schuyler Rhodes
It would be an easy thing to read through this psalm and nod in assent before moving on to the next. It all seems pretty obvious. "Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread...." It is tantamount to what the young people refer to as a "no-brainer." Much of this bad advice could be avoided by turning off our televisions. And the sinner's well-worn walkways? They too seem fairly apparent. Yet somehow they continue to be well worn.
Paul E. Robinson
Another world, another day, another time. The bright sun cast its long dark shadows along streets filled with carts and animals, never once falling on automobile, trolley or McDonald's litter in the gutter.
Lee Ann Dunlap
What would you do if you opened your mailbox one day to find a letter from the city or county announcing that you have to move? That land your grandparents worked so hard to till, or for which you struggled so long to purchase is deemed the best land available for a new shopping mall. The appraisers will soon be checking out your home to determine its fair market value and you are expected to vacate.
Rick McCracken-Bennett
I remember as I was growing up, before gas became more precious than gold, that our family would go on buggy rides, as we called them, on Sunday afternoons after church and dinner. It was a great time for the entire family to be together, to wander back roads aimlessly, and to talk about just about anything you could imagine.
Gary L. Carver
The old man is about to retire for the evening. Closely he clutches a collection of correspondence as he replaces the worn letter he had read back into the bundle. It is the most treasured possession that he owns. As he hits his knees, he shakes his head in wonder and amazement at what God had done in his life. Only God could have taken him from where once he was to where he is now. And his prayer is one of gratitude.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL