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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Off the cutting room floor -- Joel 2:23-32, Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
The late English theologian, Peter Taylor Forsythe, was, in the earlier decades of this century, a s
Learning from cancer -- Luke 24:36b-48, 1 John 3:1-7, Acts 3:12-19 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
For the past seven years, cancer has been part of my journey.
Knowing our limits -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15, Psalm 8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
During the years when Jesus was passing his childhood in Palestine, the Latin poet Ovid was writing
Suffering -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - B
It is clear that the writers of the New Testament accept the suffering role of God's Messiah and wri
Assurance -- Psalm 67, Revelation 21:10, 22-27, John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Sometimes I think that we take assurance with a lack of seriousness.
Wrestling -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
We all love stories of courage among those who wrestle with daunting difficulties in life and actual
The God With Purpose -- Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
The year of the Lord's favor -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
If you had to pick one image from the scriptures to sum up the significance of Jesus' ministry, what
GOOD Friday? -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
Anyone who read the story of Holy Week for the first time without understanding might wonder just ho
Either/Or -- 1 Kings 19:14-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
One of the most overwhelming things about the faith we share is its uncompromising demand.
Say it ain't so! -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
The year was 1919, and it was the beginning of the first World Series after the "War to end all wars
That's a plan -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, Psalm 89:20-37 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The best laid plans of mice, men, and ministers often go astray. We seem to have fallen
The God Who Is Always the Same -- Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29, Luke 14:1, 7-14, Hebrews 13:1-8 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Often when you hear some people talk about God you get the idea they are really talking about two go
Repentance and Penance -- Joel 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2, Joel 2:1-2 -- Ash Wednesday - B
The meaning of words like repentance, penance, grace, reconciliation and the like have a way of get
Getting to a teachable moment -- Mark 15:1-39 (40-47), Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Passion Sunday - B
I spent part of a recent Sunday talking with a public school teacher who was quickly coming to the e
Cosmic Show and Tell -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
The meaning of the word Epiphany is "to show forth," "to make known," "to reveal."
Building a new team -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
When Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1958, the team was in dismal
Giving all -- 1 Kings 17:8-16, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Each of the lessons for this Sunday has something to say about giving everything a person has.
Sheep and Shepherds -- Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
It is interesting that in both Old Testament and New the parable of the sheep and shepherd is consta
A Realistic Faith -- Ephesians 4:17-24, John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
Sometimes one gets the idea that there is something spiritual and different from real life in real r
A new era -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
We are likely to think of Easter as an annual festival and indeed it is.
Angels watching over me -- Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
The Spiritual Life -- Ephesians 4:30-5:2, John 6:41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
If you listen to many people speak of the spiritual life it appears that to be spiritual is to becom
All the time in the world -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
As a rule, you can tell how much time a person has by how quickly they move.
It may be now or never -- Amos 6:1a, 4-7, Luke 16:19-31 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
One of the most remarkable and thrilling insights into reality which the Bible provides is the up-fr

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In the early 1800s the Sisters of Mercy... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
In the early 1800s the Sisters of Mercy were organized in Ireland.
In 1901 President William B. McKinley visited Niagara Falls... -- John 3:1-17 -- Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
In 1901 President William B. McKinley visited Niagara Falls.
Why does God so love the world?... -- John 3:1-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
Why does God so love the world (v. 16)? The Triune God knows no other way.
Isaiah's call... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
Isaiah's call. We make a big deal of responding to God's call. It is odd.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 (2012) -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- Richard A. Hasler, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20
The people put pressure on Samuel... -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
The people put pressure on Samuel to anoint a king, and Samuel prays to God for guidance.
Scolded and criticized... -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Ron Love -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
Scolded and criticized, Abraham Lincoln still insisted on signing the Emancipation Proclamation.
God's ways are not our ways... -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
God's ways are not our ways.
Jesus in his debate with the scribes... -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
Jesus in his debate with the scribes showed how absurd their claim was that he is associated with Sa
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 6 | OT 11, Cycle B (2012) -- 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 -- 2012
1 Samuel 15:34--16:13
A psychologist asked 3,000 people... -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
A psychologist asked 3,000 people, "What have you to live for?" He was surprised to find that 94% we
Life is difficult in America given our present economic realities... -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
Life is difficult in America given our present economic realities, not unlike the hopelessness felt
John Killinger tells the story of a man deeply depressed... -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
Paul writes: "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; se
George Washington was sent by the governor of Virginia... -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
George Washington was sent by the governor of Virginia to inform the French they must leave the Alle
These parables of Jesus remind us... -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
These parables of Jesus remind us that we don't have much to do with the growth of God's kingdom, wi
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | OT 12, Cycle B (2012) -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
Bryan Mattimore, a creativity expert, tells the story... -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
Bryan Mattimore, a creativity expert, tells the story of Leonardo da Vinci preparing a shield for hi
Christians have been made people who go against the grain... -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
Christians have been made people who go against the grain. Martin Luther King Jr.
The American colonies entering the War... -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Ron Love -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
The American colonies entering the War for Independence from Britain knew it lacked the men needed f
Frank Graeff, the Methodist minister who wrote the hymn... -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
Frank Graeff, the Methodist minister who wrote the hymn, "Does Jesus Care?" normally was an upbeat p
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
David did not gloat over the victory over Saul... -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
David did not gloat over the victory over Saul.
During the French Revolution the country was in economic chaos... -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
During the French Revolution the country was in economic chaos.
Julia Ward Howe, the composer of... -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
Julia Ward Howe, the composer of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" once asked the abolitionist leade
Salman Khan did not set out to change the world... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
Salman Khan did not set out to change the world, only to help his cousin who lived on the opposite c

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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
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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31 – Commentary / Exegesis
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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.

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