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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Entering the mystery -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
It's a full ten days after Christmas; most of our world has moved on through New Year's celebrations
Coming off the sidelines -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- David Coffin -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
A certain congregation has many problems as they survey the community where they exist grows more se
Family wounds and God's grace -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
In one of my former parishes, the wife of retired pastor led us in a Bible study of the book of Gene
Christ for the Gentiles -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
Many years ago I was visiting with a parishioner; I don't remember how the conversation got to this
Getting what we (don't) deserve -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2014
God is not just by our human ways of accounting.
Changing the conversation -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- David Kalas -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
You probably have, as I do, certain email applications that allow you to view your emails as "conver
Spirit of purpose -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- David Coffin -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
It is way past Christmas and New Year's celebration times.
By what authority? -- Exodus 17:1-17, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:28-32 -- David Coffin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2014
It is the first week of classes at a small college or university in the 1970s and 1980s in Midwest A
It's a dog's life -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2014
Pope Francis was selected as Time magazine's "Person of the Year." Regarding his selection, N
The outrageous call to service -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
Henry Gerecke is not a household name; yet he had one of the most significant callings in the histor
We shall be as a city upon a hill -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2014
Over fifty years ago on January 9, John Fitzgerald Kennedy gave his farewell speech to the Massachus
Choosing to love -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Here we are, the Sunday after the sentimentality and excesses of Valentine's Day.
Rediscovering the party -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
First, there is the happy and important event itself.
The music of grace -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2014
His shrunken frame and age-diminished voice were almost lost at the front of our large church audito
A holy Lent -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
Imagine life in a northern farming community a couple of centuries ago. It's early March.
Do I dare to preach this? -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- David Kalas -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2014
The preacher lives in a privileged place.
Tough beginnings -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Ancient Israel's calendar of daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly markers was not so much a schedule o
Endings and transitions -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2014
As we approach the end of the year and the days get shorter and darker, many people have a difficult
Father of the faithful -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
When we meet him, his name is simply "Abram." In Hebrew, it means "exalted father." Along the way, t
White grave markers -- white robes -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Ron Love -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
The Arlington House was a mansion built as a living memorial to George Washington by the first presi
Law and life -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
God gives the law to the Israelites as a blessing and guidance for new life after generations of pro
The love of God poured out -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
The Old Testament lesson and the gospel for the Third Sunday in Lent tie closely together in that th
Live like you were dying -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
A well-rounded biblical moral lifestyle is established on four primary foundational principles:
New light in darkness -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- David Coffin -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
A group of younger workers are seated next to one another at a workplace where they have to deal wit
His favorite strange and mysterious way -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- David Kalas -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
The phrase is not found in scripture, but it has worked its way into common parlance.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Love is an overused word... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2014
Love is an overused word in the English language.
How hard it is to remember... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2014
How hard it is to remember that most important rule.
Leonardo da Vinci once designed... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2014
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) once designed a timepiece that could wake a sleeping person by brushin
Conflict is inevitable in human... -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2014
Conflict is inevitable in human life, even in churches.
On the day after the Normandy invasion... -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2014
On the day after the Normandy invasion, war correspondent Ernie Pyle made this report: "I took a wal
We have been given... -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
We have been given free will to choose wickedness or God.
John Wesley, the... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in a sermon titled "Upon Our Lord's Sermon On The Mount, Disc
Social commentator... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
Social commentator Alain de Botton has noted that our anxiety about status is a function of not find
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
Genesis 22:1-14
God seems to... -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
God seems to advocate human sacrifice in this lesson. It makes no sense.
The story is told... -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
The story is told that at the close of a Sunday morning sermon one of the members felt the Holy Spir
We are still paying... -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
We are still paying for Abraham's and Sarah's mistake with Hagar.
Chuck Swindoll wrote... -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
Chuck Swindoll wrote about a young couple he counseled many years ago.
On April 14, 1902... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Ron Love -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
On April 14, 1902, J.C. Penney opened his first Golden Rule store in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Baptism makes living... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
Baptism makes living the Christian life easy. Americans do not want to believe that.
My exercise advisor... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
My exercise advisor mentioned that I needed to do core exercises...
Jesus' life could... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
Jesus' life could shame us all. We might not stoop to wash anyone's feet.
On November 28, 1660... -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
On November 28, 1660, a group of twelve men met at Gresham College in London to listen to a lecture
Trying to relate... -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
Trying to relate the Creation accounts in Genesis with modern science is tricky but not impossible.
That biblical word... -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Bob Ove -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
That biblical word "perfection" has puzzled me.
As the Nicene Creed... -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
As the Nicene Creed declares, there is one living and true God...
This account of the... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
This account of the great commission in this text gets us thinking about evangelism.
James Edwin Orr was... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
James Edwin Orr was born on January 15, 1912, in Belfast, Ireland.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 (2014) -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
Genesis 21:8-21
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2014) -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
Genesis 1:1--2:4a

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.

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