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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In his book, Jesus and... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
In his book, Jesus and the Victory of God, N. T.
How about this for non... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
How about this for "non-vanity" license plates based on this passage and made available to every Chr
Peter and Andrew, James and... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Peter and Andrew, James and John heard Jesus' call and immediately followed him.
Malcolm Gladwell wrote the book... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Malcolm Gladwell wrote the book, The Tipping Point, in which he talks about the spreading of
In Who Speaks for God... -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
In Who Speaks for God? Jim Wallis asks the question posed by the book title: "Who speaks for
Helena is the chairperson of... -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Helena is the chairperson of missions at her church.
The call of Philip and... -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
The call of Philip and Nathanael gives meaning to the 1938 gospel song by Albert E. Brumley:
Marianne was a straight-A... -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Marianne was a straight-A student all through college.
It is doubtful that we... -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
It is doubtful that we will ever see as dramatic a repentance as Jonah saw in Nineveh, but there hav
Nineveh was the capitol of... -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Nineveh was the capitol of the Assyrian Empire, in present-day Iraq.
Joe Briggs of the United... -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Joe Briggs of the United Press International reported in December 2003, that Libyan leader Mu
Dorothy Haskin, in her book... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Dorothy Haskin, in her book, A Practical Guide to Prayer, tells about a noted concert violini
We find a sense of... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
We find a sense of urgency in many of the Apostle Paul's writings.
Dale, a novice carpenter, planned... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Dale, a novice carpenter, planned to make a desk that would carry him through his college years.
Jesus answered him, 'Do you... -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
"Jesus answered him, 'Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under a fig tree?
Don's youth group planned a... -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Don's youth group planned a service project at a local nursing home.
The word vocation comes from... -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
The word "vocation" comes from the Latin vocare, "to call," and it means the work a [person]
Wendell Berry's title character reflects... -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Wendell Berry's title character reflects back on his call to ministry as a teenage boy in an orphana
In his book, Life Sentence... -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
In his book, Life Sentence, Charles Colson relates how, after coming home from prison followi
Erwin McManus, in his book... -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Erwin McManus, in his book Seizing Your Divine Moment writes about an immigrant from Argentin
So Samuel went and lay... -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
"So Samuel went and lay down in his place" (1 Samuel 3:9).
Billions of dollars are spent... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Billions of dollars are spent every year on pornography, on and off the internet.
Luther, in dealing with the... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Luther, in dealing with the issue of sexual temptation, is reputed to have said that it's okay if a
Walt never imagined that he... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Walt never imagined that he would find himself unemployed in his mid-fifties!
I pray therefore that you... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
"I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory" (Ephe

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For August 17, 2025:
  • When Good News Is Bad News by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Charles Darwin believed that the two most significant achievements in human history were the development of language and the harnessing of fire. Today we apply both, language and the symbol of fire, to our understanding of the gospel.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Isaiah 5:1-7
David Coffin
When does the status quo no longer seem to be working? In her book, The Last Flight Julie Clark begins with the seemingly flawlessly choreographed life of Claire Cook, the wife of a wealthy politician at the peak of this political dynasty. Despite the elegant surroundings of the Manhattan townhouse, staff of ten servants, life behind closed doors is different. Her husband Rory has a hot temper, and is abusive. There is also the memory of the mysterious death of his first wife.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? (Jeremiah 23:26)

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:56)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A fire extinguisher.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started. But I need to warn you that this is a really strange story. At least the things that Jesus says sound really strange. But let’s see if we can figure out what the story is really all about.

(Show the fire extinguisher.)  This is a little reminder that sometimes it is really hard to follow Jesus and do what he wants us to do!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that life would not be easy for Christians, but calls us to stand up for our beliefs. In our worship today let us acknowledge and explore the difficulties of standing as a Christian in today's society.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we find it easier to go with the flow than to stand against other people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the number of people who ignore you.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Advent 4, Cycle A, and Advent 1, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)

William E. Keeney
49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her
Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage is famously known as Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard." It begins with the prophet singing, in what we would describe as troubadour-fashion, a love song about his dod, his friend, the beloved. Everyone is interested in a love affair, of course, and so the song is intended to capture the interest of Isaiah's listeners.
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
What can faith do? It can part a raging sea and allow a nation to walk through. What can faith do? It can knock down the walls of a fortified city so that God can prove a point. What can faith do? It can single out a woman who follows God's lead and protect her from certain death. Today many people are into "reality" television shows where individuals are put to extreme tests. We watch them because we like to see others battle against great odds and come out victorious.

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