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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Believe it possible, then go ahead -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
It was her first experience out after dark.
Christian living in the last days -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1994
While waiting in the convenience store check-out line, my eyes went to the ever-present tabloid head
Seeing and not seeing -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
Job and blind Bartimaeus share some things in common.
The God beyond our dogmas -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1994
Just recently I came across a cartoon.
Shock treatment -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1994
Last week via the gospel lesson we joined Jesus and his disciples in a journey through Galilee.
God and the back forty -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1994
Luke's nativity stories focus not on the movers, shakers and power centers of that ancient world but
New directions -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
Note: Charting The Course and illustrations are provided for both Ascension Day/Sunday and Easter 7.
Where? How? What? When? Why? -- Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1994
NOTE: Charting The Course and illustrations are provided for both Ascension Day/Sunday and Easter 7.
The scandal of servanthood -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
On the solemn evening of what has come to be called Maundy Thursday, we customarily gather to recall
Where do we stand? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1994
On this last Sunday of the church year the gospel lesson brings us face to face with Pontius Pilate.
"One feast, of holy days the crest" -- Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 1994
"One feast, of holy days the crest, I, though no Churchman, love to keep,
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
One homiletical key for using either the Old Testament or gospel lesson for this Sunday is to keep i
Scandalous behavior! -- Exodus 20:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Robert A. Beringer -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
When Paul wrote, "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to the Gentiles,"
From boredom to boldness -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
One of the dangers the followers of Jesus face in any age is staying alert to the magnificence of ou
Forever is a long time -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Mark 3:20-35 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1994
About the author
From death to life! -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
One of the moral dilemmas that has to be dealt with in these days when human organs are being transp
A necessary mid-course correction -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1994
About the author Michael L.
Magnetic appeal -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
One of the strange paradoxes of the human race is that we should be so strongly attracted to the cro
A mystery of active love -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1994
After the festivities of Pentecost, this Sunday presents another mystery to worshipers.
God remembers in a rainbow -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
"Pastor," he began, "I want to tell you how distressed I am that we continue to have a prayer of con
The epiphanies along life's way -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1994
As we move toward the end of the season of Epiphany, it is good to examine those ways that the Lord
1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1994
The account of the building of the temple in 1 Kings 5-7 leaves no doubt it was Solomon's project fr
Appearance isn't everything -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1994
At one time, Barbara Streisand briefly considered having plastic surgery performed on her face.
A new chapter opens -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1994
The first portion of the Old Testament lesson closes one chapter in the history of Israel while the
Hey, this is serious! -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1994
Baptism has been a point of contention and controversy almost since the beginning of the church.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Dr. Tom Barnard wrote... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
Dr.
The 1880s were... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
The 1880s were a revolutionary time in international transportation.
Based on his research... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
Based on his research on the personal consequences of work in the age of globalization, sociologist
Jesus was born... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
Jesus was born in Bethlehem where Herod was ruler, under the Romans.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 (2014) -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
Isaiah 49:1-7
Does God go back... -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
Does God go back before we are born to make us his servant?
With the dawn... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
With the dawn of the Second Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s public education was made availa
There is a marked... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
There is a marked decline in human faithfulness in contemporary America.
Ever wonder what God... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
Ever wonder what God looks like?
A lamb was slaughtered... -- John 1:29-42 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
A lamb was slaughtered in remembrance of the escape from Egypt.
The angels announced to the shepherds... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mark J. Molldrem -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
The angels announced to the shepherds that Jesus is the savior.
Women and children and unsaved into the lifeboats... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
"Women and children and unsaved into the lifeboats!" Note in this cry the rescuer's word "unsaved."
How we feel like doing loving things this time of year... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
The Christmas spirit. How we feel like doing loving things this time of year.
Why did they have to bring up taxes?... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
Why did they have to bring up taxes? Where was the Tea Party back then?
This past fall a new TV series was introduced... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
This past fall a new TV series was introduced: Revolution.
At last the darkness has passed... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
At last the darkness has passed: our shopping is over. The gifts are wrapped. The tree is lit.
Sermon Illustrations for The Nativity of Our Lord (2012) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
Isaiah 9:2-7
In a comic strip that appears regularly... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
In a comic strip that appears regularly in the Sunday newspaper, a man is greeted by his wife as he
The earliest Jewish belief shared by the Greeks... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
The earliest Jewish belief, shared by the Greeks, was that the firmament was a solid dome.
This lesson is a prophecy of the Messiah... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
This lesson is a prophecy of the Messiah.
We need to ask our Lord about the sacrifices we make every week... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
This passage is a quote from the Psalms.
When we look over the political landscape... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
When we look over the political landscape, before and after the recent election, we wonder what inte
Mary's famous prayer, The Magnificat, is a profound... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Mary's famous prayer, The Magnificat, is a profound and moving celebration of God's merciful treatme
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2012) -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Micah 5:2-5a
There are at least a couple surprises... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
There are at least a couple surprises in this lesson.

Political Pulpit

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The Political Pulpit

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John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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