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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Jesus the Christ -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Ron Love -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
Painted on the president's chair at the Constitutional Convention, assembled at the Pennsylvania Sta
Our responsibility to the world -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
The passages for the feast of Christ the King sum up the responsibilities of the people of God to ou
787 -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 -- Ron Love -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
J.
Mature thanksgiving faith -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- David Coffin -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
It is Thanksgiving or any one of the winter holidays, and certain couples who have no children are c
A world turned upside down -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2014
In 17th-century England, under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell and his righteous Puritanism, Parli
Anticipation -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
A well-rounded biblical "Screw your courage to the sticking-place," says Lady Macbeth to her doomed
The one from whom men hide their face -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
Set Christmas and Good Friday side by side in your mind.
An open, empty tomb -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Sandra Herrman -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Many years ago, this pastor was invited to Easter dinner in the home of a parishioner.
Pound of flesh demanded -- Acts 2:14a; 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
It is the time of year for the last push of demands before the summer season beckons upon the horizo
A time to reflect -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Jimmy Carter, in his memoir An Hour Before Daylight, recounted the number of tramps that freq
Easter living -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
"A grave is a sobering thing," said Wordsworth.
Which parade? -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2014
This Palm Sunday afternoon, I will be joining a festive Walk for Affordable Housing organized by a l
Lives transformed -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
What if the resurrection happened and no one told anyone about it?
Long-term ascension assurances -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- David Coffin -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2014
Nobody thought this day would happen. The longtime department supervisor was retiring.
Not only the builders -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Take a survey of your congregation. Ask your folks to list their favorite Bible verses.
The life of trust and courage -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 17:22-31
The lion roars -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Encratis lived in Portugal, but her father had given her in marriage to a nobleman in Roussillon, Fr
Harvest time -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2014
An ancient Jewish legend declares, "Pentecost is the day on which Torah was given." One wonders whet
A faith journey -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Ron Love -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2014
Two players. Two teammates. Same team. One is known for "Tebowing." One is known for murder.
All that he is -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- David Kalas -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
The Psalmist cries out "O, magnify the Lord with me" (Psalm 34:3), and we make take that as our invi
Miracles -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
Charles Darwin grew up in a Christian home, yet later in life he rejected Christianity's hold on him
God's love and trust in us -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The Christmas season is over in the secular world.
Trust for the journey -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- David Coffin -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
So who do we trust while taking our journey of faith during the season of Pentecost?
God's timing -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- David Coffin -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
Another year has gone by as one awakens on New Year's Day.
Commitment -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
When Louis Pasteur was researching the deadly anthrax virus, he found that once a cow that had the d

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

We have a confession... -- Micah 6:1-8 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2014
We have a confession in the common service.
Eighty years ago... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2014
Eighty years ago Dr. James Denny wrote about a friend living in Scotland who was an avid fisherman.
God does great things... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2014
God does great things with ordinary people.
A few years ago... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2014
A few years ago Paris Hilton, while promoting her ITV2 program Paris Hilton's British Best Friend
When Jesus saw... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2014
When Jesus saw the crowd he went on a mountain so he could be heard better -- like us preachers from
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 (2014) -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2014
Micah 6:1-8
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 (2014) -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
It looks like we... -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
It looks like we have two options: life or death. That should be a simple choice!
The ultimate meaning... -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
The ultimate meaning and goal in modern life is to care more about being envied than what is accompl
On a segment of... -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
On a segment of 60 Minutes (October 6, 2013) several special operations forces personnel were
An infirm lady... -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
An infirm lady from a nursing home wrote Billy Graham a letter asking his permission to die, as her
Wow! We might obey... -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Wow! We might obey the letter of the law, but Jesus carries it at least one step "too" far.
Sermon Illustrations for Transfiguration Sunday (2014) -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Scott A. Bryte -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
Exodus 24:12-18
They must have had... -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- Bob Ove -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
They must have had to sit around for seven days before the Lord made his appearance.
The author of our... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
The author of our lesson warns against myths when thinking about Christ's glory.
Brussels sprouts are... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
Brussels sprouts are disgusting. Star Wars movies are better than Star Trek.
A story circulated... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
A story was circulated that during the last great persecution of the early church there was a discus
Like all personal... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Ron Love -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
Like all personal attributes, pride in and of itself is not bad; but it becomes a sin when it become
I always wonder about... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Bob Ove -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
I always wonder about Andrew.
Sermon Illustrations for Ash Wednesday (2014) -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
We come together... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
We come together for birthday parties, weddings and funerals, and retirement celebrations.
Anthony Campolo, a college... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ron Love -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
Anthony Campolo, a college sociology professor who writes extensively on theology, offered a cure fo
Dr. Ed Young tells... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
Dr. Ed Young tells the story of Dr. Clovis Chappell as a college student.
Ash Wednesday is a... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
Ash Wednesday is a time for repentance, for turning around.
When I was in Nepal... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Bob Ove -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
When I was in Nepal as a missionary it was illegal to be a Christian until 1992; I met the first Chr

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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
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

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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