Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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

Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

No pain, no gain was... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
"No pain, no gain" was a byword for the Apostle Paul -- and he was right.
On January 5, 1863, Konstantin... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
On January 5, 1863, Konstantin Stanislavsky was born in Moscow.
Paul speaks here of voluntarily... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Paul speaks here of voluntarily submitting himself to the law, giving up some of his freedom for a h
The picture in the newspaper... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
The picture in the newspaper showed three men wearing leather jackets standing next to their motorcy
To the weak I became... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
"To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak.
In an episode of the... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
In an episode of the television series, M*A*S*H, Captain "Hawkeye" Pierce begins to have snee
Remarkable medical advances have been... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Remarkable medical advances have been made in every age, but perhaps never more than in the last fif
This section of Mark (1:29-31... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
This section of Mark (1:29-31) could be the shortest, self-contained story in the Bible.
Jesus taught with authority, but... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Jesus taught with authority, but authority is a tough issue for many.
Person after person, whether a... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Person after person, whether a reporter, a rescuer, or a public official, describes the aftermath of
Tom Ehrich, in the On... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Tom Ehrich, in the On a Journey e-newsletter, writes about the distinction between power and
The late John A. Kelley... -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
The late John A. Kelley, a.k.a. "Marathon Kelley" was a fascinating character.
God asks, perhaps rhetorically, to... -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
God asks, perhaps rhetorically, to whom will you compare me?
E. Stanley Jones tells the... -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
E. Stanley Jones tells the story of an eagle as it soared overhead in the skies of India.
Isaiah writes words of comfort... -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Isaiah writes words of comfort to a people who are in exile.
A prophet is someone who... -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
A prophet is someone who looks at the present under a microscope in order to see which way events wi
I will raise up for... -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
"I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the
Sometimes we are just trying... -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Sometimes we are just trying to figure out "What do I have the right to do?" Tony's wife, Julie, has
John Ruskin (1819-1900) was Britain's... -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
John Ruskin (1819-1900) was Britain's foremost writer on culture.
In our society, we like... -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
In our society, we like to stress independence and freedom.
Sandy is severely allergic to... -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Sandy is severely allergic to shellfish.
But Jesus rebuked him, saying... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him" (Mark 1:25).
For the present form of... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
"For the present form of this world is passing away" (1 Corinthians 7:30b).
A woman who operates an... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
A woman who operates an exclusive restaurant tells how she trained her wait staff.
In his book, Jesus and... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
In his book, Jesus and the Victory of God, N. T.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For August 10, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A treasure chest containing photos of some of your family members and friends, and a small, worn-out bag or purse. The treasure chest could be as simple as a small, metal lockbox, or you could have some fun with a larger box that actually looks like a treasure chest.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But before I tell you the story, I have something that I want to show you. (Show the treasure chest.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Personal rant here — since childhood I’ve been annoyed that the winners of the 100-meter dash at the Olympics are hailed as the world’s fastest humans. To me it’s been obvious that the greatest, and fastest, athletes are the women and men who endure the trials and tribulations throughout the 26.2-mile marathons, and who then somehow find it within themselves to sprint to the finish line.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return… (Luke 12:35-36)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus calls us to be ready for him, for we shall encounter him at unexpected times and in unexpected ways. In our worship today, let us prepare to meet with Jesus.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we don't bother to make ourselves ready for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes it doesn't occur to us that we might meet with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we miss you because we haven't expected you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.
-- Psalm 50:23

Clayton A. Lord Jr.
I want to talk about heroes today. We all have them. Our heroes are men and women that we look up to. Our heroes are those individuals that inspire us and help us to strive to be our very best.

There is a cute story about a Texan who was trying to impress on a Bostonian, the valor of the heroes of the Alamo. After finishing his story about Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and countless others, he says "I'll bet you never had anyone so brave around Boston."

"Did you ever hear of Paul Revere?" asked the Bostonian.

Thomas A. Renquist
Jesus tells us, "Don't be afraid," but it seems to me there is a lot to be afraid of. "Sell your possessions," he says, "give alms ... risk ... be dressed for action ... have your lamps lit ... be prepared ... be alert." Sounds very ominous, quite scary to me.

Christopher Reeves, the actor, knows what it is to be afraid. On Memorial Day weekend, 1995, in a tragic fall from his horse, he was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and fighting for his every breath.
John W. Wurster
"Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom. Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah" (1:10; cf. Genesis 19).

Sodom. Gomorrah. Remember? Places of wickedness, of violence, of perversity. Do you know any place like that? Places where sexuality is twisted and relationships are corrupted and social order is breaking down? Places where people seek to gratify personal desires at the expense of others, where individual pursuits take precedence over common well-being, where anything goes as long as it feels good?

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL