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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Abundant Love -- Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2000
One of the fundamental characteristics of human development is inquisitiveness.
Yes! -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2000
A few months ago there were two different television commercials that both had to do with a fellow t
Supper -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2000
The evening meal, supper, is often the most important of the daily meals.
Allegiance to Jesus -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2000
America has an identity crisis. Ever since 1947, when the Supreme Court ruled on Everson v.
Accountability -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1999
Our lessons for this day are not very pleasant ones. There are no warm fuzzies to be had here.
When losers become winners -- Jeremiah 15:15-21, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1999
Our society is like most other societies in the history of the world.
The wide-angled lens of faith -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1999
Our vacation to Arizona elicited a continuing expression of awe and wonder at the exquisite scenery
Goal-oriented prayer and preaching -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
People have been known to listen to profound preaching of the biblical message and come out of churc
The ways of God -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1999
People tend to say in times of personal or community disaster, "God works in mysterious ways." The p
About the Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1999
Perhaps it is inevitable that as Christians we focus on the second article of the Apostles' Creed so
A way to the future -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Advent shifts our attention to the future.
Church and world -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
Perhaps no issues are more difficult in Christian preaching and teaching than the relationship of th
Time for celebration -- Zechariah 9:9-12, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1999
As we join our fellow citizens to celebrate the 223rd birthday of our country, we also join our sist
On sowing the word -- Isaiah 55:10-13, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1999
Perhaps the most humbling and, at the same time, thrilling moments of the liturgy occur for me when
Our need for God and for one another -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1999
Conducting a workshop for a statewide gathering of Ph.D.s in psychology, my colleague and I asked th
The servant king -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1999
Perhaps we lose the punch of the imagery of "servant" in the Bible when we in our day view on cable
A breath of fresh air -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
Fresh air is precisely what many people feel they never get in church.
On not loving a wall -- Isaiah 56:1, 6-8, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
Robert Frost begins his poem called "Mending Wall" with the line "Something there is that doesn't lo
Guess who's coming to dinner -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1999
God's gracious invitations to people have always ruffled the feathers of those who would rather have
If you are the children of God -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
Some stories from the Bible sound strange, disconnected from our lives and our frames of reference.
Mountaintop experiences -- Exodus 24:12-18, Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1999
I can't begin to enumerate the number of times I have attended a retreat somewhere off in a secluded
The trouble with religion -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1999
Speaking out against religion is as popular as ridiculing the American flag, motherhood, and apple p
Coloring outside the lines -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
(Dr. Foster R. McCurley has had a distinguished career as St.
Tuning the engine -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 1999
Thanksgiving is a strange celebration. On the one hand, it is a national holiday.
What is our place in the world? -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
[Dr. Foster R. McCurley has had a distinguished career as St.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Matt Damon is a devoted... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
Matt Damon is a devoted husband and father. He dislikes being away from home and from his family.
Ask anyone what the meaning... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
Ask anyone what the meaning of life is, and it's a pretty safe bet that their answer will start with
John Wesley nicely explained... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
John Wesley nicely explained why we do not need the law because Christ lives in us: ...[Christ has b
Jesus ate with anyone... -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
Jesus ate with anyone, Democrat or Republican, sinners or righteous (self-righteous?), rich or poor.
It is often overlooked... -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
It is often overlooked and not talked much about how Jesus and the disciples were able to go about t
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2013) -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
It could sound like Elisha... -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
It could sound like Elisha was being tested.
Halo Nation is a video game... -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Halo Nation is a video game franchise that has as a basis for its storyline a responsibility
The freedom that Paul... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
The freedom that Paul describes in this text is a word we need badly in America today, as according
Don't run in the house... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Don't run in the house. Don't chew with your mouth open. Don't drive through a red light.
Ryan Fry has more than... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Ryan Fry has more than 250 poisonous lizards and snakes in his yard in Australia.
Luke includes a number... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Luke includes a number of stories of Jesus' last week that no other gospels contain.
Farmers know that you do not... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Farmers know that you do not look back when you are plowing the field.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 9 | OT 14 (2013) -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Scott A. Bryte, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
2 Kings 5:1-14
Many people are getting tattoos... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
Many people are getting tattoos to express their Christian faith.
This story reveals that we... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
This story reveals that we find faith in unexpected places, including in Naaman, the army commander
It's an odd thing to ride... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
It's an odd thing to ride in an electric car. There is essentially no noise. There's no vibration.
Reaping what you sow... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
Reaping what you sow is a metaphor that comes from the fields.
No, we are no longer bound... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
No, we are no longer bound by the law, but the law shows us that we have messed up!
In Latin the word "pastor"... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
In Latin the word "pastor" means "shepherd." It came from the same base that produced pascere
What if those vacation resorts... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
What if those vacation resorts that claim to include everything actually included everything?
In our gospel, Jesus would... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
In our gospel, Jesus would have those he sends out to do mission to tread on snakes and overcome all
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2013) -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
A builder uses a plumb line to determine true vertical from the gravitational center of the earth, n
A builder uses a plumb line... -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
A builder uses a plumb line to determine true vertical from the gravitational center of the earth, n
Even though the Lord is merciful... -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
Even though the Lord is merciful and loving, He still has his exact requirements for us.

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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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