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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Prophecy manifest -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2001
One of the best known lines from the movie Jerry McGuire is "Show me the money!" The athlete
In all the wrong places -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2001
Have you heard about the Question Box?
Get it straight -- get it right -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
One of the echoes reverberating through a young child's mind (and an adult's memory) is that of Moth
What fragrance fills your house? -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
How can the world be a safe place?
Life in the waiting lane -- Haggai 1:15b-2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2001
How long did it take you to get to work today?
Scripture and history fulfilled -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C -- 2001
Our new American president has been elected and has been in office now nearly the first 100 days.
Living forward in the present -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
"I felt almost guilty thinking too much of heaven." That is what David Burton, a Southern Baptist tu
From lamentation to larceny -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2001
Our texts today take us over a varied landscape.
Disciplines to live by -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
[Rev. Dr. Mark J.
Tuning the fourth turning -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
People often think more highly of themselves than their behavior in fact reflects.
How can the dead testify? -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
[Rev. Dr. Mark J.
Signs of hope, signs in life -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Perhaps it's time for the annual rant about the commercialization of Christmas, and the incredibly e
God's gift of time -- 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 -- 2001
[Rev. Dr. Mark J.
Wannabes -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Peter Nichols' most recent book, A Voyage For Madmen, traces the journeys of nine men who, in
Where will there be faith? -- Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2001
Will Our Children Have Faith? was the title of John H. Westerhoff III's book in 1976.
Finding ourselves in being found by Jesus -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
Socrates' famous dictum, "Know thyself," has been passed down through the ages in philosophy classes
Jilted in Jerusalem -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2001
If the lost is lost, it is not found. If it is found, it is no longer lost.
TEOTWAWKI -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2001
TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It) speculation and predictions are nothing new.
After the handshake and the hug -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2001
The master brought his disciples into a darkened room with one instruction: "Find the truth." One di
Humbled by grace -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2001
In Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, "It is part of the discipline of humility that
Called to a different life -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2001
The summer of 2000 was a devastating one for the western United States.
Jesus is the sign of the times -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
In our consumer culture, advertising plays an extremely vital role.
Fullness by any other name ... -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2001
"The whole experience was dirty, draining, and depressing." That's how George Stephanopoulos, in his
Help us! -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, Acts 16:9-15 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
In the movie The Deep End of the Ocean, there is a toddler who is "lost" in a hotel lobby.
Call to repentance -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
There is more and more conversation these days about road rage and how rude our culture has become.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Archaeologists in the Holy Land and in other scattered Jewish settlements throughout the Middle East
NULL -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
During the French and Indian War, George Washington was accompanying General Edward Braddock on his
NULL -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Again and again we become Peter, repeating his denials of Jesus with the way we live.
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2013) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
Acts 10:34-43
NULL -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Bob Ove -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
We like that God doesn't show favoritism, but too often we do.
NULL -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
Before the days of texting and Twitter, people actually had to talk with one another.
NULL -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Ron Love -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
Perhaps Phillips Brooks has given us one of the best definitions of preaching when he wrote that pre
NULL -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
The good news of Easter is the heart of Christian faith.
NULL -- John 20:1-18 -- Bob Ove -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
It was a woman who first made contact with the risen Lord.
NULL -- John 20:1-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
Mary -- first to arrive and last to leave. Two others also:
Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2013) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2013
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
NULL -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2013
There are days to remember: birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Independence Day, tax day, election da
NULL -- Exodus 12 1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Bob Ove -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2013
Whenever we see a lamb mentioned in the Old Testament, we think of Jesus, the lamb of God who was in
NULL -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2013
Students of evolution have observed that sharing common rituals enhances trust and social solidarity
NULL -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Ron Love -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2013
During the meeting of the Continental Congress, George Washington was the only attendee to wear a mi
NULL -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2013
It is said that mimicry is the highest form of flattery.
NULL -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Bob Ove -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2013
There is enough in this passage to fill your whole ministry!
Sermon illustrations for Easter 2 (2013) -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 5:27-32
The negative reaction of the Sanhedrin and Jewish leaders... -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The negative reaction of the Sanhedrin and Jewish leaders to Peter's witness is in direct contradict
In a desperate need to have a battlefield victory... -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
In a desperate need to have a battlefield victory against the British, George Washington crossed the
NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There are all sorts of keys: musical keys, piano keys, the top of the key on a basketball court, a k
NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The seven churches are not listed until the next chapter.
It is so easy to demonize his lack of faith... -- John 20:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The story of Doubting Thomas: It is so easy to demonize his lack of faith.
John Quincy Adamswould arise at 4 AM every day... -- John 20:19-31 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, would arise at 4 AM every day.
Sermon illustrations for Easter 3 (2013) -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)

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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
Nazish Naseem
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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