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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Having the Tools to Finish the Job -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2019
The word epiphany is from the Greek and refers to the experience of a sudden and amazing realization
A More Perfect Union -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
Broadly speaking, we human beings turn to two solutions to try to make things better.
A Case of Mistaken Identity -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- David Kalas -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2019
Literature is full of stories of mistaken identity.
At the Heart of God's Plan Is Love -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah is appointed to pluck up and call out nations. Serious change. Not popular.
Identity Crisis -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
Advent in Cycle A means Isaiah, Romans, and Matthew. Isaiah is so rich and musical.
Making Choices -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2019
As God's people we have a choice to make about what sort of covenant we want to live with.
We Cannot Help But Follow Him -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2019
All the lessons testify to how when confronted by God’s word, we cannot help but follow him, a theme
Focusing On Jesus -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
The difference the coming baby makes is the overall theme of Advent 4.
How Devotion to God Changes Things -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2019
The key to this Sunday’s lessons is how they aim to get us to appreciate how devotion to God changes
Leaning into God's Future -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26, Psalm 1 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2019
There is a powerful scene in Robert Bolt’s play A Man for All Seasons.
What a Vision! -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14 -- Sandra Herrmann -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2019
Merry Christmas!
The Definition of Sanity -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2019
Since Albert Einstein is considered the genius above all geniuses, he is often credited quotes he ne
Cost of Deliverance (COD) -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- David Coffin -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
In my early years of ministry, I took this Sunday off, and let the supply preacher worry about these
Who is This? -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Sandra Herrmann -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2019
Poet Marriane Williamson has written a poem that has been widely reprinted:
Getting the Right Guest List -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-13, Romans 10:8b-13 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
Jim Carlson was a young pastor at a Lutheran church in Minnesota.
God of the ages -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Psalm 27 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
Note: This installment by David Kalas is from 2004.
When Will They Ever Learn? -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
Are you paying attention?
Occasions for Rejoicing -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
Since the Fourth Sunday in Lent has been historically identified as Laetare (Rejoicing Sund
Moving Forward in God's Love -- John 12:1-8, Philippians 3:4b-14, Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
We are moving rapidly toward the end of Jesus’ earthly life.
Passion for Life -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- David Coffin -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2019
In this season of spiritual growth, one difficult test of faith is when a cherished matriarch of an
This Changes Everything -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - C -- 2019
It can not only be hard, but in some cases not possible to say much at all on Easter morning, what w
Darkness and Light Wrestle Again -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2019
In the blackness, in the bleakness, we need to sense God’s presence.
All the Signs -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - C -- 2019
From time to time, I’ll hear someone ask a speculative question that begins, “If a space alien showe
The Magnificence Of God’s Activating, Future-oriented, Forgiving Love -- John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4b-8, Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
This Sunday’s lessons proclaim that God and his resurrection have their way with us.
Christ conquers death -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Elizabeth Achtemeier -- All Saints Day - B -- 2018
Note: Because of a scheduling error, we are highlighting this commentary from 2000 by Mark J.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2019) -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2019
Amos 7:7-17
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2019) -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, R. Robert Cueni, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2019
Amos 8:1-12
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2019) -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2019
Hosea 1:2-10
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 13 | OT 18 (2019) -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2019
Hosea 11:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 14 | OT 19 (2019) -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2019
Isaiah 1:1,10-20
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | OT 20 (2019) -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2019
Isaiah 5:1-7
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | OT 21 (2019) -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2019) -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 (2019) -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2019) -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2019) -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2019) -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | OT 27 (2019) -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2019
Lamentations 1:1-6
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 23 | OT 28 (2019) -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 24 | OT 29 (2019) -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Sermon Illustrations for Reformation Day (2019) -- Psalm 46, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2019
Psalm 46
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2019) -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2019
Joel 2:23-32
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2019) -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- All Saints Day - C -- 2019
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | OT 31 (2019) -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2019
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2019) -- Haggai 1:5b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
Haggai 1:15-2:9
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2019) -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2019
Isaiah 65:17-25
Sermon Illustrations for Christ the King (Proper 29) (2019) -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Sermon Illustrations for Thanksgiving Day (2019) -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2019
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2019) -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
Isaiah 2:1-5
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2019) -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
Isaiah 11:1-10

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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For August 31, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
When one of our children was young, she pretended to throw something at me from close range, and then she cheerfully declared, “Ha! Made you flinch!” I remember from my own elementary years that that was always regarded as something of an achievement — to make someone blink or to make someone flinch. In reality, of course, it is little more than a test of one’s reflexes. It’s my reflex to blink or to brace when I think something is coming at me, and the reflex is a good one.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Regarding verses 6-7 of the lesson John Calvin observes:

… there is nothing more common than for the ungodly when they are proved guilty, to have recourse to this subterfuge, that they acted with good intention, when they gave themselves up to their own superstitions. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.IX/1, p.78)

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (v. 2)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity for the children. You will want a container of some kind of treat to give to all of the children.

Note: This is a fairly brief message as presented, but that may help keep an emphasis on the simplicity of the message if you stress it.

* * *

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

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus knew the importance of humility and used a banquet to teach people about it. As we feast on him today, let us make sure we come to him with unassuming spirits.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we are unaware of our own arrogance.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we spot other people's haughtiness but fail to recognise it in ourselves.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are so humble that we become victims of inverted pride.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
-- Hebrews 13:1-2

James Evans
The writer of Psalm 81 employs a most interesting mixed metaphor. It is not mixed, however, because the psalmist was careless and neglected his subject matter. On the contrary, it is because of an important insight into human nature that the psalmist has us "eating with our ears."

Verse 10 rehearses what was, and is, the most basic confession of faith for followers of the Lord. God speaks and says, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth and I will fill it."

Ron Lavin
There are three words I hope you will take home from church today. The words are "Only The Lonely." As you think about these words, the assurances of God's Word will comfort and strengthen you. But I'm getting ahead of my story. Before we get to these three words, we need to look at the full text of Luke 14:1, 7-14. That involves looking at three other words: humility, hospitality, and hope.

Humility
Chrysanne Timm
It is never a pleasant prospect to deal with someone who has a complaint with you. As a new pastor, and a very young one at that, one of the things I struggled with most was the experience of conflict with members. I remember as if it were yesterday a significant misunderstanding that developed between the congregation's "matriarch" and me very early in my time there. I prayed about the difficulty we were having, and I knew that I needed to go to her home and ask for the opportunity to talk things out.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
In this be confident: that the grace of God is active enough to forgive, and the love of God is powerful enough to transform.

Pastoral Prayer

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