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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Prescription on a pole -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
We have so many aisles of medications in our country today that home remedies may be a vanishing art
Aha! -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, John 1:1-18, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Sometimes when I watch some Christians, I get the idea that they have a major spiritual affliction c
The God Who Comes to Us -- Numbers 6:22-27, Philippians 2:9-13, Luke 2:15-21
Just as many are forever pushing Jesus away and holding him at arms length with their insistence on
Windsurfing -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Day of Pentecost - A
We've all seen them -- women and men, girls and boys, wrestling with huge sails attached to a small
The Affirmation of Life -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:11b-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
One of the reasons so many are skeptical about Christianity is what they see and hear from people wh
Proverbs 8:22-31, John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
In all probability, most Christians have, at one time or another, agonized over the doctrine of the
A Portrait of God -- Psalm 36:1-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
I suppose that most readers have heard the story of a little girl who was busy finger painting and w
The Presence in Our Midst -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-13 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
There are those who seem to be forever looking for God's coming.
Patience, blossoms and open eyes! -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
Every pastor should have the opportunity of going to the Land of the Bible, and doing it early in li
Doing the impossible -- Lamentations 1:1-6; 3:19-26, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
The prayerful expressions of grief found in Lamentations reflect the pain, despair, and raw emotions
Raising Our Sights -- Ezekiel 23:1-9, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-15
The End of Things -- Isaiah 52:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Luke 19:11-27 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
One cannot read the New Testament with understanding unless one hears the continual expectation of t
Ride on in majesty? -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
As the ship made her way down the channel, there was hardly a dry eye among those watching.
Now I lay me down to love -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
I have three young daughters. One of them in particular would say that she is an animal
Persecution -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Passion Sunday - C
Sometimes you will hear someone making great protestations about the ways in which they are persecut
God Fulfills His Promises -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
From the promises of the Old Testament prophets (today’s selection is from Jeremiah) to the fulfillm
A distinctive king -- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Kings are not exactly in vogue at the present time.
Whisper power -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Were all the stories of the Bible of heroes who did not stumble, few of us could connect.
Reward -- Psalm 34, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
One of the vexing problems that most of us never take time to face is the problem of reward.
Those Other People -- 1 Kings 19:9-14, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 9:18-24 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
In all probability the worst sin most of us commit is the sin of imagining we, of all the people in
Faithfulness -- Psalm 28, Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
I suppose that there are as many definitions of faithfulness as there are preachers and laypersons g
Finding safety in the call of the wild -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
There are two themes that run through the passages for today.
For those who don't know -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Every so often, we come across an event where, as we watch the people involved, we conclude, "They h
Certainty -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Everyone I meet wants certainty.
Mixed reactions -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17, Psalm 71:1-6 -- David Kalas -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
The promos for a new movie feature all sorts of glowing quotes from an assortment of reviews.

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The book of Proverbs begins with wisdom personified as a woman, and it ends with a canticle of prais
NULL -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Envy is destructive. The evil stepmother of Snow White actually killed her out of envy.
NULL -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Herman Wouk, the novelist who wrote such best-sellers as The Caine Mutiny, Marjorie Mornin
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The Washington Post did a review of books about the Titanic on the 100th anniversary o
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The children of Shepherd's Preschool loved being leaders.
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
I went with a friend to a gigantic healing service in Sacramento years ago.
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Jesus probably had a home base in Capernaum, which no doubt involved a house.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2012) -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
NULL -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
In Esther 9:20-22 we have the origins of the festival of Purim associated with the Esther story.
NULL -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
With a lot of earthly wisdom and femme fatale, Esther achieved justice for the Jewish people, perhap
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Prayer comes up often in scripture. Can you point to prayers that God has answered for you?
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Measles, chickenpox, swine flu, mad cow disease -- medical words today's "youth" recognize.
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
There is a ministry in many congregations today that uses prayer shawls to comfort those who are sic
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
The Los Angeles Police Department experimented with a new technology that has become so effective in
NULL -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Jesus wants to maintain our saltiness; he gives us more salt!
NULL -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
John shows how far the disciples were from understanding Jesus' teachings.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 (2012) -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Ron Love, Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Job 1:1; 2:1-10
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
In the TV series 24, which aired several years ago, Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland)
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
One of my sons is getting his degree, and he sometimes complains about the tests he will have to tak
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Exploration of family background revealed that William Moore was born and raised in the territory of
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
There is a gentleman who quietly lives in Summerville, South Carolina, and goes unrecognized by his
NULL -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Louis Cassels, in his Christian Primer, explains why God revealed himself in the way he did b
NULL -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Famed preacher of the early church John Chrysostom [known as the one with a golden mouth] offers an
NULL -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
True or False: Eating pink pork will make you sick?
NULL -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
In Kasto, Minnesota, there is a business called Drive-a-Tank.

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The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
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Elena Delhagen
For May 19, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Pentecost accents the belief that the Christian church is a Spirit movement, not another world institution. Imagine a pastor who is on the denomination committee for examining pastoral candidates that are on various points along their journey toward ordination either before, during or just after completion of seminary/Bible college training. All the pastoral candidates are excited about their future of making a positive change and impression on the churches they serve.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
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Acts 2:1-21
Martin Luther viewed Pentecost as a day of celebration, as on a sermon in the topic he noted “it was on this present Pentecost Day that the joyful blessed and lovely kingdom of Christ was established, a kingdom filled with joy, courage, and certainty.”  Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.152) Awareness of the Holy Spirit is a big part of the joy and certainty Pentecost brings.  John Wesley, then, offers a timely warning about how not to lose a sense of the Spirit and the joy and confidence this insight offers.  He wrote:

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“I’m not sure why we’re doing this,” Ollie muttered to himself as he took his place on the bandstand. He unpacked his guitar and played a few chords to make sure that it was in tune. “The acoustics are better in the church building.”

“They may be,” Todd said raising his voice over the sounds of the busy park. “Going to be a noisy afternoon from the sounds of it.”

“Huh?” Ollie looked over at his smiling friend. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“You’re just saying what we’re all thinking, isn’t he Wendy?’

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John Jamison
Object: Today’s message will include a role-play. You will need one child to play the role of the shepherd and the rest of the children will be the people from town. I usually pick an outgoing child for my shepherd so they will act out a bit. Encourage everyone to have fun and ham it up a bit.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
As I recall, there was a mighty, rushing wind at the last Bank Holiday weekend. It didn't herald the coming of God quite as much as the coming of a mighty, rushing rain, and for many unfortunate people, substantial flooding. And it was accompanied by considerable power, for it uprooted and destroyed one of our laburnum trees.

SermonStudio

Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
The Holy Spirit gets around. Historically the church has also commemorated its origins on this festival. In some traditions, confirmation is celebrated.

Collect of the Day
Petitions are offered that the Spirit come and transform the faithful to give them language to proclaim the word. The Holy Spirit, Justification (by Grace), Sanctification, and Evangelism are emphasized.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
* Hymn to God the creator; praise for God's providential interventions.
James Evans
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)

Elizabeth Achtemeier
On the previous Sundays of this Eastertide, we have heard the risen Christ tell his followers to remain in Jerusalem until he sends the Holy Spirit upon them. That will enable them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Having promised that, he ascended into heaven, to rule over all at the right hand of the Father. That promise was spoken during the forty days that the Lord was with the apostles and disciples after his resurrection.
Arthur H. Kolsti
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord to the breath, prophesy mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
-- Ezekiel 37:4-10
Ron Lavin
The Holy Spirit is called "your Advocate" in the New English Bible translation of John 15:26. Other translations may be helpful in understanding the meaning of the Holy Spirit. The King James Version uses the term "The Comforter." The Revised Standard Version and the New International Version use the term "The Counselor." The Phillips translation and the Barclay translation call the Holy Spirit "The Helper." I like the title "The Advocate" best of all. This term "The Adovcate" includes comforting, counseling, and helping.

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