Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Humble (and Proud of It!) -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2023
Frank Fowler tells this amazing story: during World War II, fifteen hundred international noncombata
Lost and Found! -- Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 3:1-4, Acts 10:34-43, Jeremiah 31:1-6 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - A -- 2023
The promise of the resurrection is not only for Jesus, but for all who are lost – we shall be found.
Inspired By the Saints and Love of God -- Matthew 5:1-12, Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3 -- Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - A -- 2023
The text for this festival concerns how in our walk of faith we are inspired by the saints and love
A Love Relationship, More or Less -- John 18:1--19:42, Hebrews 10:16-25, Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
I have lived long enough to discover the truth of this principle time and again.
Community Memories -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- David Coffin -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2023
At first glance all three of today’s texts can seem intimidating for preachers who seek to be cultur
Christ and His Resurrection Have Their Way with Us -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
The lessons and the theme of the Second Sunday of Easter testify to how Christ and his resurrection
Watching and Waiting -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- David Kalas -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2023
When I was in elementary school, the boy who was my best friend and favorite playmate at the time mo
Connecting the Dots -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- David Coffin -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
On this third Sunday of Easter, where does one find the new life of the Easter season?
Are You Ready? -- Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Judges 4:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2023
When people say there is peace and security, look out. Be ready! Something is coming!
Clone of Traveling with Abraham -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
You remember the story... Abraham was a great old man, probably 125 or so!
The Power of Gratitude -- Luke 17:11-19, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2023
All the lessons provide insight into what thankfulness does for us.
A People Belonging to God -- John 10:1-10, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
You remember the story... Abraham was a great old man, probably 125 or so!
Catalyst -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2023
Life happens. Steady, unrelenting, life happens.
Living Toward a Destination -- John 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Every day, multiple times a day, we are on our way somewhere.
Apocalypse Now! -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Shakespeare’s stage was pretty simple and bare — an open space out of doors where comedies, tragedie
Where Is God Found? -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Where is God to be found? Not in shrines made by human hands. God is in our midst.
Hopeful Voices -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Amidst this season of Advent, where can mainline church leaders find hope amidst headlines in many c
What the Heavenly Power and Cosmic Presence of Christ Mean for Us Today -- Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:15-23, Acts 1:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2023
All the lessons and the Festival of Ascension testify to the heavenly power and cosmic presence of C
More to Unwrap -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- David Kalas -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
From time to time, my wife and I have held back some Christmas gift or another until all the others
Still in the World -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14 -- David Coffin -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
It is early morning as a pastor opens up one of the small churches served in a multi congregational
Dare We Expect? -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Alone for his first cruise ship voyage, a young man felt a stranger among crowds of aging patrons.
Breath of Life -- John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2023
An ancient Jewish legend declares, “Pentecost is the day on which Torah was given.” One wonders whet
Why the Incarnation Matters -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2023
This is a set of lessons that explores why the Incarnation matters.
What He Has to Say for Himself -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- David Kalas -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2023
For so many Christians, including likely most of the people in our pews this Sunday, there are a han
A New ID -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2023
One of the ways we can redefine ourselves is by changing the way we dress.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations For Epiphany 5 (2023) -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2023
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
Sermon Illustrations For Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 (2023) -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2023
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Sermon Illustrations For Transfiguration Sunday (2023) -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2023
Exodus 24:12-18
Sermon Illustrations For Ash Wednesday (2023) -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2023
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 1 (2023) -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 2 (2023) -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 121 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Genesis 12:1-4a
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 3 (2023) -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42, Psalm 95 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Exodus 17:1-7
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 4 (2023) -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 5 (2023) -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45, Psalm 130 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Sermon Illustrations For Passion Sunday (2023) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 27:11-54 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2023
Isaiah 50:5-9a
Sermon Illustrations For Maundy Thursday (2023) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, M Adryael Tong -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2023
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Sermon Illustrations For Good Friday (2023) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations For Easter Sunday (2023) -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Easter Day - A -- 2023
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Sermon Illustrations For Easter 2 (2023) -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Sermon Illustrations For Easter 3 (2023) -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Sermon Illustrations For Easter 4 (2023) -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Psalm 23 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Acts 2:42-47
Sermon Illustrations For Easter 5 (2023) -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Acts 7:55-60
Sermon Illustrations For Easter 6 (2023) -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Acts 17:22-31
Sermon Illustrations for Ascension of the Lord (2023) -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2023
Acts 1:1-11
Sermon Illustrations For Easter 7 (2023) -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Acts 1:6-14
Sermon Illustrations For Day Of Pentecost (2023) -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2023
Acts 2:1-21
Sermon Illustrations For Trinity Sunday (2023) -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2023
Genesis 1:1--2:4
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 5 | OT 10 (2023) -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
Genesis 12:1-9
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 6 | OT 11 | Pentecost 3 (2023) -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Romans 5:1-8, Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2023
Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 4 (2023) -- Matthew 10:24-39, Romans 6:1b-11, Genesis 21:8-21 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2023
Genesis 21:8-21

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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

CSSPlus

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.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL