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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

God Will Make Things Better -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2022
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Connected and Ready -- Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2022
A noted businessman was in high demand on the speakers’ circuit.
Response to Distractions -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- David Coffin -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2022
All four of today’s texts address distractions which may lead us astray of becoming the people of fa
Something to Celebrate -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- David Kalas -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2022
Chances are that most of the people in our pews will not know that it’s Trinity Sunday unless we tel
Anticipation -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2022
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl often wrote about the meaninglessness of his patients’ lives.
Not On Our Own -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39, Psalm 42 and 43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2022
My guess is that we’ve all got a favorite book about Lincoln. The list is endless, of course.
These Thrones Are No Game -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43, Luke 1:68-79 -- David Kalas -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2022
We don't think much in terms of kings and kingdoms anymore.
Embracing Second Place -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2022
This is a Sunday to consider the theme of discipleship.
Filled With The Bread of Life -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35, Psalm 100 -- Frank Ramirez -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2022
One of the joys of Thanksgiving is having a reason to give thanks to our Creator.
Which God is Served? -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 82 -- David Coffin -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgement” Psalm 8
Advent Ethics -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- David Coffin -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Imagine a church women’s group who meets monthly in the church basement around coffee and snacks.
Doing the Right Things for the Right Reasons -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022
Every parent of young children can identify with this: a little boy was asked his name, and he repli
Hints and Anticipations -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
There is a powerful scene in Herman Melville’s great epic, Moby Dick, where Captain Ahab st
What's He Gonna Do? -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- David Kalas -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2022
More than four decades later, I have a vivid recollection of one night that I, as a teenager, arrive
A Season of Sights -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10 -- David Kalas -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Much of the music that accompanies this season of the year emphasizes sights.
Learn and Live -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2022
There are lessons to be learned at all levels of life.
Jesus Rules! -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2001
Back to the garden -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Easter Day - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2007.
Insight In Sight -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
The truth is out there, if you’re willing to see it.
The Life of Faith -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2022
The theme of the lessons for this Sunday is the life of faith.
The Peace of Christmas -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2022
Isaiah 9:2-7
Rugged Faith Journey Tools -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17, Psalm 71:1-6 -- David Coffin -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2022
Today’s texts address various life situations where the Christian faith journey is rugged in differe
History Has Its Eyes On You! -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Frank Ramirez -- New Year's Day - C -- 2022
In the musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda, a paternal George Washington reminds the imp
Style and Class -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2022
Stan Wiersma, writing under his pen name “Sietze Buning,” explored the religious roots of being cons
Christ Is In Control -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 31:7-14

Communicating God's Love

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Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Easter 2 (2022) -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Acts 5:27-32
Sermon illustrations for Easter 3 (2022) -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Sermon illustrations for Easter 4 (2022) -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Acts 9:36-43
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 5 (2022) -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Acts 11:1-18
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 6 (2022) -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, John 14:23-29 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Acts 16:9-15
Sermon illustrations for Ascension of the Lord (2022) -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2022
Acts 1:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 7 (2022) -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Acts 16:16-34
Sermon illustrations for Day of Pentecost (2022) -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2022
Acts 2:1-21
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2022) -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2022
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | OT 12 (2022) -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2022
1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Psalms 42 and 43
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2022) -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2022
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 9 | OT 14 (2022) -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2022
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2022) -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022
Amos 7:7-17
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2022) -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2022) -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2022
Hosea 1:2-10
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 13 | OT 18 (2022) -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2022
Hosea 11:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 14 | OT 19 (2022) -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2022
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | OT 20 (2022) -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2022
Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | OT 21 (2022) -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2022) -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 (2022) -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2022) -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2022
Luke 15:1-10
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2022) -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2022) -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6,14-15
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | OT 27 (2022) -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2022
Lamentations 1:1-6; 3:19-26

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John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity.

Note: You will need to select six children to play roles in this activity. If you have a smaller group, you might ask some older youth or even adults to play the parts of the two attackers and the man being attacked. I will give suggestions for how they can play their roles, but feel free to help your children make the story as fun and memorable as you can. I have used boys and girls in the various roles, but you can change those however you want to change them.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For July 13, 2025:
  • Samaritans Among Us by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Samaritans were despised and dismissed by the original audience who first heard Jesus tell this parable. Who are the Samaritans in our lives and how does this parable apply today?
  • Second Thoughts: The Helpers by Katy Stenta based on Amos 7:7-17.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
I say, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals
    and fall like any prince….”
(vv. 6-7)

There have been any number of brother-sister acts that achieved a measure of fame. Take the Carpenters, famed for their singing, musicianship, and songwriting skills. Also worthy of mention are John and Joan Cusack who have acted together in over sixteen films.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
An ancient legend tells of a remote mountain village where people used to send their senior citizens out into the woods to die. The villagers had an eye to the future; they felt that those beyond a certain age would only slow down progress or use up valuable resources to no economically profitable end. Those who reached a certain age weren’t “put out to pasture” or “put out of their misery”; they were simply put out of other people’s way.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is more than 2,700 feet high—over half a mile tall. It has 160 floors and is twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City. It is home to the world’s fastest elevator which reaches speeds of forty miles an hour. The Burj Khalifa also hosts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck (on the 124th floor) and the world’s highest swimming pool (on the 76th floor).

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church. She always enjoyed her Sunday morning walk. It was one of the few times she felt safe to walk alone through the inner city, for she knew nobody would be up at 7.45 in the morning. Today was a particularly beautiful morning, with blue sky, warm sunshine, and the song of a few intrepid blackbirds who still inhabited the city.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Often, a distinction is made between the pastoral or priestly work of the church and the prophetic work. Pastoral care has to do with the care of souls, the offering of comfort in times of loss. The priestly character of pastoral work seeks to mediate the presence of God to those who are hurting.

Schuyler Rhodes
Trusting is never easy. Even in the best of relationships, people step into trust slowly. There is wariness -- questioning -- worry. What happens if trust is betrayed? What if this doesn't work? Sometimes it's like a dance. We step in and out of trust, moving to the rhythms of fear. For many, the routine is achingly familiar. Indeed, it's not easy to trust.
John Jamison
It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation. There were automobiles, and some airplanes, but the steam locomotive was the way most folks traveled and the way that most of the goods were distributed around the country. After dinner, people sat in the drawing room and listened to the radio programs, fading in and out from some faraway location, over the magical broadcasting signal.
Robert Leslie Holmes
Not many tourists to Washington, D.C., look for the Federal Bureau of Standards offices. It's the Capitol and the White House, the Supreme Court Building or the Smithsonian most of us want to see when we go there. Yet, at the Bureau of Standards offices something very important is stored, something that impacts your life and mine every single day. Have you ever bought the materials for a new project? When you did, most likely you purchased so many inches or feet or yards. Or, you stopped to buy gasoline for your car and purchased it at a certain price per gallon.
David O. Bales
I have the two best jobs in the world. I teach social studies at Leon Griffith Junior High School (a fairly small junior high) and I am Sunday School Superintendent at Calvary Presbyterian Church (an enormous church school). Each job is my vocation. I tell people that at school they'll find my room where the halls cross. At church they can look but probably won't find me. I'll be in someone's classroom. At each job I practice what I most deeply believe: it's how you see the world that determines how you respond to it. I'll give you an example, actually, two examples.
Erskine White
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(Stuart K. Hine)

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