Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

144,000 + 1 -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
With the dawning of another world war, Irving Berlin was concerned about the spirit of our nation.
God's possibility -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
When we encounter the living God we always find a new possibility open to us.
From centripetal to centrifugal -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2013
In God's initial encounter with Abram, recorded in Genesis 12, it is clear that the relationship bet
Baseline of faith -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- David Coffin -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
"Who would ever have dreamed that we are now raising our grandchildren rather than living out our re
Light enters into darkness -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
An older woman is homebound because of a bad hip.
Defining our destinies -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2013
During World War II the English government knew that Hitler was planning to invade the British Isles
Fasting, faith, and focus -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2013
Bernarr Macfadden, who once had a wide following in North America, said that everybody should fast n
A matter of values -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2013
So much of the matter of living the Christian life comes down to a matter of values.
Foundations for mature faith -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
It might happen in any given church or nonprofit organization in the middle of the winter months, or
Trust -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2013
Some years ago, when Dick Shepard was the vicar of an Anglican parish in London, England, he had a d
The lessons of Epiphany -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
In many countries, January 6 is a public holiday with parades, parties, and festivities celebrating
Created to be God's people -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56 -- David Coffin -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2013
A congregation has started a new ministry to work with younger children.
Called to be faithful witnesses -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
Isaiah 49:1-7The Servant's Mission (NRSV)
Judgment -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
This week's lessons are all about judgment: the judgment of God, our judgments of others, our judgme
God frees us from fear -- 1 Kings 19:1-4, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2013
The scriptures for this Sunday are about fear and belonging.
Shine, Jesus, shine! -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2013
In their book Resident Aliens, Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon tell the story of a Unit
Audacious faith -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
There are Sundays when we look at the lectionary readings and wonder how all three passages work tog
Which words get drowned out? -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2013
In our small town, the local printed newspaper is struggling to survive.
The call of God makes us whole -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
The scriptures this week are focused on the importance of the people of God to our Creator.
Group pictures -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2013
We've been part of a lot of group pictures over the years: family Christmas cards and team photograp
Remembering who we are -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
When Mahatma Gandhi traveled from his India homeland as a young man and studied for a time in Englan
Words against the devil -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-13 -- Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
All three of the passages for this Sunday deal with the very basics of our faith: What do we believe
Commitment test -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- David Coffin -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
Shall we or shall we not continue a certain ministry, program, or event in our congregation?
Fork in the road: emptiness or fulfillment -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- David Coffin -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
About this Third Sunday of Lent, Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are memories for those in the broader
Discomforting words -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2013
Today's scriptures carry warnings that Christians of the 21st century really need to listen to.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

We are full of... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
We are full of pride and hypocrisy.
As a child coming... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
As a child coming home from school one afternoon, I heard my mother talking to someone.
In the 1970s... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ron Love -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
In the 1970s Karl Menninger wrote a book that was widely read, studied, and discussed.
The old saying goes... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
The old saying goes that if you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 1 (2014) -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Bob Ove, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
God has given us... -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
God has given us free will! Some have said that was his big mistake!
During my seminary career... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
During my seminary career, I was pastor of a rural church with a parsonage for us to live in.
In the year 590... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
In the year 590, Pope Gregory I, also known as Pope Gregory the Great, established the list that is
Americans do not want... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Americans do not want to hear much about sin.
You can make a call... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Scott A. Bryte -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
You can make a call without first having to build your own telephone.
This was a sequel... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
This was a sequel to the fall of Adam. Adam was tempted and fell.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 2 (2014) -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Scott A. Bryte, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Genesis 12:1-4a
The dog bounds... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Scott A. Bryte -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
The dog bounds into the car as soon as the door is open.
God elected/loved... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
God elected/loved Abraham without reservation.
The Hebrew word... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
The Hebrew word "blessed" suggests the idea of strength.
Martin Luther... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Martin Luther, the sixteenth century pastor and theologian, began the Protestant Reformation in resp
All Israelites today... -- Romans 4:1-6 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
All Israelites today and in Jesus' day bragged about Abraham.
The religion of... -- John 3:1-17 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
The religion of Hinduism understands the entrapment of living a self-centered life.
Decades ago the... -- John 3:1-17 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Decades ago the story was told of a poor widow who contributed to the Dorpatian Branch of the Russia
Windmills grind... -- John 3:1-17 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Windmills grind grain.
We all have a... -- John 3:1-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
We all have a lot of Dr. Gregory House's self-righteousness in us.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 3 (2014) -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Exodus 17:1-7
Now that the... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Now that the Russians finally got rid of the communist regime, they are complaining that there is no
This scripture deals... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
This scripture deals with expectations of faith, praise, sacrifice, and hope.
A friend of mine... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
A friend of mine told me why he will not do online dating.

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

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.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL