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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

No love like this -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1997
We come to the core of the unraveling of David's reign.
Seeking and being sought -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1997
Some of us have been around long enough to remember a campaign launched by Campus Crusade for Christ
Try the uplook -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1997
Some prophets are preoccupied with the work of God in nature.
What is God's will? -- Job 1:1; 2:10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1997
When I was a student serving an internship in hospital chaplaincy, I was given the job of informing
Our God reigns -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1997
The Babylonian captivity provided the original context for this oracle.
Godly women -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1997
The Bible, we know, is mostly about men.
Evil is real -- so is grace -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15) -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1997
After having seen when he was a young lad the dissipation of the sons of Eli, Samuel must now witne
How to muzzle life's storms -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1997
The books of Samuel may well be made up of several accounts that are woven together, sometimes witho
In Christ we are whole -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1997
Again, in keeping with the theme from previous weeks, the power of the resurrected Christ predominat
The best is yet to come -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
The concept of pregnancy lends itself rather naturally to metaphorical usage.
Sheer grace -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1997
All three lessons appointed for celebrating The Nativity of Our Lord have at their heart a resoundin
Values assessment -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1997
The January/February 1995 issue of Men's Health magazine offered a feature titled "What do me
Restoration -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1997
All three of the lessons for this day conclude cycles that have been developing for the last four we
He touched me and we talked -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1997
"The prophet of holiness" is the title often given to Isaiah.
The end of the beginning -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1997
Although the first lesson for several Sundays has come from the Acts of the Apostles, this day -- As
Preparing the way -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
The theme of this day is obvious: Preparation!
Can I fall? Can I rise again? -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1997
Anselm once observed that "when one escapes from the will that commands, one does but rush under the
Rejoicing Sunday -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
The third Sunday in Advent is officially called "Gaudete Sunday," which means "Rejoicing Sunday." Jo
A word to the wise -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1997
As we have noted before, the books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings were probably originally one
The subtleties of power and temptation -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1997
There are few texts in the Bible or illustrations from the lives of public figures that more aptly d
First Lesson Focus -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 1997
FIRST LESSON FOCUSBy James A. Nestingen
The power of the Gospel -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1997
This is one of those texts that we might wish were not in the Bible, or, at the very least, one that
Ordinary people with an extraordinary word -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1997
Beginning today and continuing for the next ten Sundays the first lesson will be from the books of
To die is the only way to live -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1997
This passage from Jeremiah has been called the most important single teaching of his prophecy, and i
Where credit is due -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1997
Between last Sunday's first lesson and today's text we have the story of the turbulent years of Saul

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

We often do not see... -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
We often do not see God in our everyday lives, in the work we do and in our economic transactions.
Dashiell Hammett, before... -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
Dashiell Hammett, before becoming a great American novelist, was a police detective for the Pinkerto
The Harmonist Community... -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
The Harmonist Community began in Germany under "prophet" Georg Rapp in the last years of the 18th ce
Joseph Heller authored... -- 1 Timothy 6:6-19 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
Joseph Heller authored the popular novel Catch 22.
Be content with what... -- 1 Timothy 6:6-19 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
Be content with what you have! How many times have you heard that -- even as children growing up!
A week after his public... -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
A week after his public confession to Oprah Winfrey acknowledging his use of performance enhancing d
Who counts? Who... -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
Who counts? Who is really a person?
We don't need any more... -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
We don't need any more miracles today; we already have all the ones we will ever need.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | OT 27 (2013) -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2013
Lamentations 1:1-6
Jeremiah lost Zion... -- Lamentations 1:1-6 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah lost Zion to Babylon and weeps bitterly over her.
How sad a passage... -- Lamentations 1:1-6 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2013
How sad a passage! It looks like there is no hope for God's people. Can we ever relate to that?
There is only a photograph... -- 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2013
There is only a photograph of one person standing atop Mount Everest, and that is of Tenzing Norgay,
You can have your father's... -- 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2013
You can have your father's eyes. You can move just like your mom.
Twenty-first-century American... -- 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2013
Twenty-first-century American life is chaotic, comprised of meaningless meanderings.
Does that give you hope... -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2013
Does that give you hope? Even if your faith is small -- even miniscule!
We are fascinated with... -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2013
We are fascinated with volume and weight. The bigger, the better!
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 23 | OT 28 (2013) -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
O. Henry, that great... -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
O. Henry, that great short story writer, was born William Sidney Porter.
Speaking of the life... -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
Speaking of the life of Christians, a first-century anonymous treatise titled The Epistle to Diog
Paul often repeats the basis... -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
Paul often repeats the basis of our faith in Christ! It can't be stated often enough!
Is Paul naive?... -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
Is Paul naive? Or has he hit on something that we have yet to learn?
When John Deere introduced... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
When John Deere introduced its home lawn tractor in 1963, they were promoted as "freedom machines,"
This text testifies... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
This text testifies and extols the greatness of faith. Martin Luther has a lot to say about faith.
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 24 | OT 29 (2013) -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Great introductions are... -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
Great introductions are bound to get one's attention.

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John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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