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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.
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.
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.
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.
Seeing is not believing -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
The connection between sight and belief in Christianity is as old as the insistence of Thomas to see

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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.
The Human Genome Project... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
The Human Genome Project, which mapped all the various combinations of human genes, teaches us that

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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
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
34 – Sermons
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John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity.

Note: You will need to select six children to play roles in this activity. If you have a smaller group, you might ask some older youth or even adults to play the parts of the two attackers and the man being attacked. I will give suggestions for how they can play their roles, but feel free to help your children make the story as fun and memorable as you can. I have used boys and girls in the various roles, but you can change those however you want to change them.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For July 13, 2025:
  • Samaritans Among Us by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Samaritans were despised and dismissed by the original audience who first heard Jesus tell this parable. Who are the Samaritans in our lives and how does this parable apply today?
  • Second Thoughts: The Helpers by Katy Stenta based on Amos 7:7-17.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
I say, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals
    and fall like any prince….”
(vv. 6-7)

There have been any number of brother-sister acts that achieved a measure of fame. Take the Carpenters, famed for their singing, musicianship, and songwriting skills. Also worthy of mention are John and Joan Cusack who have acted together in over sixteen films.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
An ancient legend tells of a remote mountain village where people used to send their senior citizens out into the woods to die. The villagers had an eye to the future; they felt that those beyond a certain age would only slow down progress or use up valuable resources to no economically profitable end. Those who reached a certain age weren’t “put out to pasture” or “put out of their misery”; they were simply put out of other people’s way.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is more than 2,700 feet high—over half a mile tall. It has 160 floors and is twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City. It is home to the world’s fastest elevator which reaches speeds of forty miles an hour. The Burj Khalifa also hosts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck (on the 124th floor) and the world’s highest swimming pool (on the 76th floor).

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church. She always enjoyed her Sunday morning walk. It was one of the few times she felt safe to walk alone through the inner city, for she knew nobody would be up at 7.45 in the morning. Today was a particularly beautiful morning, with blue sky, warm sunshine, and the song of a few intrepid blackbirds who still inhabited the city.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Often, a distinction is made between the pastoral or priestly work of the church and the prophetic work. Pastoral care has to do with the care of souls, the offering of comfort in times of loss. The priestly character of pastoral work seeks to mediate the presence of God to those who are hurting.

Schuyler Rhodes
Trusting is never easy. Even in the best of relationships, people step into trust slowly. There is wariness -- questioning -- worry. What happens if trust is betrayed? What if this doesn't work? Sometimes it's like a dance. We step in and out of trust, moving to the rhythms of fear. For many, the routine is achingly familiar. Indeed, it's not easy to trust.
John Jamison
It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation. There were automobiles, and some airplanes, but the steam locomotive was the way most folks traveled and the way that most of the goods were distributed around the country. After dinner, people sat in the drawing room and listened to the radio programs, fading in and out from some faraway location, over the magical broadcasting signal.
Robert Leslie Holmes
Not many tourists to Washington, D.C., look for the Federal Bureau of Standards offices. It's the Capitol and the White House, the Supreme Court Building or the Smithsonian most of us want to see when we go there. Yet, at the Bureau of Standards offices something very important is stored, something that impacts your life and mine every single day. Have you ever bought the materials for a new project? When you did, most likely you purchased so many inches or feet or yards. Or, you stopped to buy gasoline for your car and purchased it at a certain price per gallon.
David O. Bales
I have the two best jobs in the world. I teach social studies at Leon Griffith Junior High School (a fairly small junior high) and I am Sunday School Superintendent at Calvary Presbyterian Church (an enormous church school). Each job is my vocation. I tell people that at school they'll find my room where the halls cross. At church they can look but probably won't find me. I'll be in someone's classroom. At each job I practice what I most deeply believe: it's how you see the world that determines how you respond to it. I'll give you an example, actually, two examples.
Erskine White
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(Stuart K. Hine)

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