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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

God's greatness (and ours) -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2003
When my son was in middle school he was assigned to make a timeline poster of the history of ancient
Even apostles hate passing the hat -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 130 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2003
If you are like most pastors, then you probably dread preaching the annual stewardship sermon or (ga
Spirit-person -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2003
Who could have imagined that the top-grossing movie of the past year in America would be Spider-Man.
I choose you -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
In John 15:16, Jesus says, "You did not choose me but I chose you.
Lost to all but God -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52, Psalm 148 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
It was a few weeks before Christmas, about 10 years ago.
Battles and storms -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, Mark 4:35-41, Psalm 9:9-20 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2003
It was a scene from vacation Bible school that I will never forget.
Perceiving new things in the kingdom of God -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12, Psalm 41 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2003
Most brides and grooms don't seem to have much investment in the selection of scripture for the wedd
Eating humble pie -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
My family lives in a typical, middle-class suburb just outside the nation's capital.
A wake for Death itself -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44, Psalm 146 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
My friend has the oddest idea: He wants to have his wake before he dies.
"Of signs and of things signified" -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
Not too long ago I attended a preaching conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
It's a mystery! -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 29 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2003
One of the most delightful movies I have seen in awhile was Shakespeare in Love, which won the Oscar
King of the alternate universe -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2003
One of the staples of science fiction is the notion of the "alternate universe," usually depicted as
Heroes -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
One Sunday morning after church school, a teacher came into my office.
Follow the directions -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45, Psalm 30 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2003
Over the course of my lifetime, I have occasionally been caught up in the recurrent genealogy fads t
Baptism's stage -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- David A. Davis -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2003
Perhaps by now Kierkegaard's metaphor of the theater of worship has been overworked.
Dust in the wind -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2003
Sometimes a song gets so deep inside your head that it can never be uprooted.
At least God is greater -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18, Psalm 23 -- David A. Davis -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
A newly minted pastor heads out for a pastoral visit to the home of one the saints in the church.
Last night -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18, Isaiah 12:2-6 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
The Canadian film Last Night presents an understated approach to global apocalypse.
The perils of sleeping in church -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2003
As I read all these texts, it occurred to me that it's kind of a dangerous thing to sleep in church
The earthiness of Resurrection touch -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
The reaction that first Sunday after Easter was worth remembering.
Ethics, authority, and the proclamation of Jesus -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28, Psalm 111 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2003
As the guest preacher for the day, I came through the door of the sanctuary in plenty of time before
Setting the mind on things divine -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- David A. Davis -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2003
The Sunday School teacher came up to me with a bit of a panicked looked in her face.
The magnetism of Jesus -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
I have always been fascinated by magnets.
Wait on the Lord -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2003
Do you like to wait? I don't. In fact, most of us hate to wait. You can see it most anywhere ...
Love, American style -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Do you remember the 1970s television show Love, American Style?

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Baptism of Our Lord (2015) -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Genesis 1:1-5
Just like the creation narrative... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Just like the creation narrative tells of the beginning of life so baptism is the symbol of God's be
I suppose some would say... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Bob Ove -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
I suppose some would say "in the big bang." I'm not sure it makes much difference how God does thing
Baptism and the Holy Spirit... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Baptism and the Holy Spirit belong together intimately according to Luke.
Marcus Mariota has been... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Ron Love -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Marcus Mariota has been the starting quarterback for Oregon since the 2012 season.
His message is one of baptism... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Bob Ove -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
His message is one of baptism. That seems to be the beginning our Christian walk.
The pastor of the church... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
The pastor of the church that I attended as a child told the congregation that he would be holding a
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 (2015) -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
The New York Times has... -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
The New York Times has a column called the "Corner Office" in which they interview the CEO of
Our text is all about the... -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
Our text is all about the surprising ways in which God operates, how God took the little boy Samuel
We can see what Paul is... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
We can see what Paul is complaining about here.
Our sexuality is God-given... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
Our sexuality is God-given.
One point this lesson makes... -- John 1:43-51 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
One point this lesson makes is that Jesus does not want miracles to be the reason for or the root of
Jimmy Carter, in his memoir... -- John 1:43-51 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
Jimmy Carter, in his memoir An Hour Before Daylight, recounted the number of tramps that freq
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
Isaiah 61:10--62:3
I'm sure we delight... -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
I'm sure we delight in the Lord or we wouldn't be here on Sunday morning, but do we delight "greatly
The Menno-Hof Amish/Mennonite Museum... -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
The Menno-Hof Amish/Mennonite Museum in Shipshewana, Indiana, relates the life of Menno Simmons, a F
Ellen Medar wrote a newspaper... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
Ellen Medar wrote a newspaper article about growing up feeling ostracized because her mother, "a hil
Paul says that in Christ we... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
Paul says that in Christ we are no longer slaves to sin.
As Mary and Joseph enter... -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
As Mary and Joseph enter the temple they encounter two people who have been anticipating the coming
A mother had to wait forty... -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
A mother had to wait forty days after the birth of a son before she was considered clean enough to e
Sermon Illustrations For Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 (2014) -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2014) -- Exodus 17:1-17, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:28-32 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2014
Exodus 17:1-7
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of the Lord (2013) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2013
Isaiah 60:1-6
Epiphany is a story of the light... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2013
Epiphany is a story of the light, the star, which leads the wise men to the light of the world.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Baptism of Our Lord
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 2 | OT 2
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – 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
Christopher Keating
For January 25, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, to follow him. They immediately made their decision and dropped everything, for they knew the importance of their call. When Jesus calls us, do we hear him and do we respond?

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when I'm busy I find it difficult to hear you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy, I find it difficult to respond to you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy I'm not sure whether I want to follow you.
Lord, have mercy.
Janice B. Scott
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun who was the heroine of the story had all sorts of difficulties in relationships with the other nuns. The problem was that she was super-intelligent, and the other nuns resented her. In the end the young nun went to the Mother Superior for advice, and was told that as a sign of humility she should fail her coming exams!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Angel of Mercy"
Shining Moments: "A Dog's Life" by David Michael Smith
Good Stories: "God's Call" by Stephen Groves
Scrap Pile: "The Way Less Taken" by Garry Deverell


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

C. David Mckirachan
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"Ordinary Time" by C. David McKirachan
"Who's the Fool?" by C. David McKirachan
"Sharing the Light" by Sandra Herrmann


* * * * * * *


Ordinary Time
by C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 9:1-4

SermonStudio

John N. Brittain
How familiar Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1 sound! Chloe's people had reported quarreling among the believers. Imagine that -- disagreements in a church! There were rivalries and backstabbing even in the very earliest days of the Christian community.
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
A few years ago, I was on a retreat in northern Michigan, and I knew that some of our friends from home were sailing in the vicinity. One evening I went to the local boat dock, and walked through the lines of boats calling out the names of our friends, hopeful that they might be there. I remember the joy I felt when I yelled their names, and they answered! They were actually there, and they responded to my call!
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: In Christ's Name
Message: What on earth will bring us together, God? Lauds, KDM

How long must we wait, God,
for people to stop fighting
nations and nations
buyers and sellers
big ones and little ones
in-laws and relatives
husbands and wives
sisters and brothers
for me to stop fighting with me?
How long must we wait, God,
before we let the Christ Child come here?1
William B. Kincaid, III
In some parts of the country it doesn't matter, but in many areas the snow which falls during this time of the year can bring things to a decisive halt. Schools close. Events are canceled. Travel becomes tricky. If the conditions become severe enough, the decision may be made that not everybody should try to get to work. Only those who are absolutely necessary should report.
R. Glen Miles
"There will be no more gloom." That is how our text begins today. For the ones who were in anguish, glory will replace the gloom. Light will shine in darkness. Celebration will replace oppression. A new day will dawn.

In one sense these verses offer a summary of the overall message of the scriptures, "The darkness will pass. The light of a new day is dawning and there will be joy once again." At the end of the Bible, almost as if the original collectors of these sacred texts intended to remind us again of this word of hope, the Revelation of John tells us:
Robert A. Beringer
After a service of ordination to the Christian ministry, a sad-faced woman came up to the newly-ordained pastor and said, "It's a grand thing you are doing as a young man - giving up the joys of life to serve the Lord." That woman's attitude reflects a commonly held belief that to be serious about our faith means that we expect all joy to be taken out of living. For many, Christianity appears to be a depressing faith, with unwelcome disciplines, that cramps our lifestyle and crushes our spirits.
John T. Ball
All religions offer salvation. Eastern religions offer salvation from the illusion of being separated from ultimate reality - as in Hinduism, or from the pains of desire, as in Buddhism. Nature religions preach a salvation by calling us to realize we are linked to the natural world. Humanistic religions offer a salvation tied to the call to live in dignity and justice without divine aid. The biblical religions - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity - describe salvation in somewhat different ways. Judaism sees salvation primarily as an earthly and corporate affair.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Litany Of Confession
P: Discord, dissention, strife,
C: anger, violence, hatred;
P: we confess to you, O God,
C: our schemes, our willful rebellion,
our hidden hostilities toward your children.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our lack of trust in your presence,
our need to control, our insatiable appetite for praise.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our fear of speaking the truth in love,
our self-hatred, our moments of utter despair
when we no longer believe you are at work in us.
Wayne H. Keller
Adoration And Praise

Invitation to the Celebration
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Canticle Of Light And Darkness (UM205)
To Us A Child Of Hope Is Born (CBH189)
God Of Our Strength (CBH36)
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus (CBH250, UM297, NCH190, PH92)
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory (CBH566, UM295, NCH193--194, PH84)
Lord, You Have Come To The Lakeshore (CBH229, NCH173, PH377, UM344)
Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life (PH408, CBH405, UM42, NCH543)
Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult (UM398, NCH171--172, CBH398)

Anthems

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind today's lectionary passages. MacDonald called his tale "The Day Boy and the Night Girl: the Romance of Photogen and Nycteris" (it is available online at http://www.ccel.org/m/macdonald/daynight/daynight.html). In MacDonald's fable a witch steals a newborn girl and raises her in the total darkness of a cave. The witch experiences both light and darkness, but not the girl. She is completely immersed in the black world.
Wayne Brouwer
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill. "In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times."

In one of his essays, Albert Camus describes a powerful scene. John Huss, the great Czech reformer of the church, is on trial. His accusers twist all his ideas out of shape. They refuse to give him a hearing. They maneuver the political machine against him and incite popular passion to a lynch-mob frenzy. Finally, Huss is condemned to be burned at
David Kalas
Schuyler Rhodes
I was in the home of a church member the other day where I saw a marvelous family portrait. The picture had been taken on the occasion of a fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the entire family had gathered for the occasion. The celebrating husband and wife were seated in the center of the picture, flanked by their adult children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It was a magnificent full-color illustration of God's design.

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