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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Without fear or favor -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 1995
Gathered around Jesus in Luke's narrative of the Sermon on the Plain are the representatives of two
The passion according to Luke -- Luke 23:1-49 -- Passion Sunday - C -- 1995
Some of us will remember when the fifth Sunday in Lent was called Passion Sunday.
Language, community and relationship -- Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1995
How does the preacher cope with those Sundays of the year that carry a specific theme?
That old time religion -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
That old time religionGive me that old time religion,that old time religion.
The enduring mystery of Easter -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C -- 1995
I have always dreaded the task of writing an Easter sermon.
In the form of a servant -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10, 11-14), 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 1995
The evening service on Maundy Thursday can be one of the most moving of the church year.
Crossing the bridge -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
If we had no church year calendar we would soon create one. Our sense of order demands it.
The pathfinder -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1995
The Old Testament reading sets before us the familiar biblical appellation of Israel as the vineyard
It's all about Jesus -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
If you are an "Advent purist," one who refuses to preach Advent sermons that lapse into the Christma
Keeping the dimension of mystery -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
The reading from Acts this day is the closing scene in a story that begins in Acts 10:1.
The man who wasn't there -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, Acts 16:9-15 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
In his history of the early church Luke gives prominence to dreams and visions in order to underline
Variations on a theme -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 1995
The readings for this day are firmly fixed in all cycles of the lectionary and this poses a challeng
A word out of fashion -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 1995
Invitations, imperatives and warnings sound forth in the readings for this Sunday.
He ascended into heaven -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 1995
The readings for this day are standard in lectionary cycles A, B, and C.
Jesus is our glimpse of God -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 1995
"Jesus is the best picture of God what was ever took." The little boy who said that gets an F in gra
Retrospect and prospect -- Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:15-21 -- 1995
The shepherds return to their flocks and the tasks of shepherding.
The signs of credibility -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-23, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
Last Sunday Mary Magdalene stood before us in her bereavement and met the Risen Jesus.
The shadows lengthen -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1995
The shadows begin to lengthen as we follow Jesus toward Jerusalem, today via the gospel of John.
God in three persons -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 1995
My practice has been to invite folk in the pews to think of the Trinity not as a definition of God,
The prodigality of God -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1995
The word prodigality carries a dual meaning in English.
Running against wind and tide -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1995
Nautical metaphor can be helpful to the preacher in dealing with the Old Testament and gospel readin
A potpourri of possibilities -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
There are no doubt times when the preacher faces the lectionary readings of the day for the first ti
A prophet and a parable for all seasons -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1995
Neither Amos nor Hosea have been given much lectionary space these past few years.
A sign of God's new day -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 1995
Thus says the Lord: In this place of which you say "It is a waste without human beings or animals,"
Staying on course -- Hosea 1:2-10, Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1995
Once a course is charted the necessity is to stay on it, especially in unfamiliar waters.

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The story... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The story of Mary's pregnancy and eventual virgin birth is a problem for some American Christians.
The Fourth... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The Fourth Ecumenical Council, also known as the Council of Chalcedon, was a church council held fro
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2013) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
The people who walked in darkness are the outsiders who have no faith and are not the favored ones.
God's grace... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
God's grace has appeared in Jesus Christ to offer salvation (God's forgiveness) to all people accord
Twentieth-century... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
Twentieth-century Anglo-American novelist Taylor Caldwell compellingly captured the meaning of Chris
The European... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
The European countries in the late 1800s needed colonies.
This passage... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
This passage presents a problem for some. How literally should we take every passage in scripture?
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 (2013) -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Isaiah 63:7-9
When the United States... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
When the United States occupied the Philippines in the 1890s, Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem that prom
Recently my wife... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Recently my wife came home from a ladies Bible study and related this story of mistaken compassion.
The Sunday after... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The Sunday after Christmas is calculated to be a bit of a "downer" compared to the Christmas festiva
If we are suffering... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
If we are suffering in any way, it can help to know that God's only son was sent to suffer for us.
The war between... -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The war between Austria and Piedmont, which erupted in April 1859, was one of the bloodiest ever rec
Finding something... -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Finding something spiritually meaningful in the Holy Family's fleeing to Egypt is a tall order.
William McCumber says... -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
William McCumber says that the men in this section of the scripture are "unwise men." These religiou
Sermon Illustrations for New Year's Day (2014) -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
We like the good... -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
We like the good times, but we are not so sure about the bad times.
Thomas Cook is a name... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Ron Love -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
Thomas Cook is a name that is unknown to most of us; but we each live with his innovative and entrep
Suffering is not... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Derl G. Keefer -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
Suffering is not something that we seek, but it does come to all people at times in life.
This text promises... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
This text promises a fresh start. That is so appropriate for the New Year celebration.
We like the glory... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
We like the glory part. It's the judgment part that may give us a little concern.
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 2 (2014) -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Redemption stimulates... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
Redemption stimulates joy in the heart.
In 1848 Italy... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
In 1848 Italy became a unified country.

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Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For October 26, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I am a scoreboard watcher. I follow a lot more games than I actually watch, but since technology makes it easy to check scores on a moment’s whim, I watch a lot of scoreboards of teams and games that I am at least mildly interested in. And as I check those scores, I find myself having immediate reactions: “Great!” “Oh, that's too bad.” “Excellent!” “Nuts.” And in the midst of that sports-fan roller coaster, I must continually remind myself that not all scores are final.
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Joel 2:22-32
Martin Luther sings the praises of God’s love revealed in this lesson. He wrote:

The love of God which lives in man loves sinners, evil persons, fools and weaklings in order to make them righteous, good, wise, and strong. Rather than seeking its own good, the love of God flows forth and bestows good. (Luther’s Works, Vol. 31, p.57)

John Wesley nicely summarizes the Spirit’s role in fighting the lure of our old sinful habits:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message is a role-play story. You will need two children to play the roles of the Pharisee and the tax collector. I usually ask two children if they will help me as they are all coming forward for the message, but you may select them however you choose.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
(vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

We all dislike people who blow their own trumpets, although sometimes we may be in awe of them. Jesus too deplored such behaviour and was never in awe of those who practised it. In our worship today let us open ourselves to Jesus, allowing him to see what is in our hearts.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we allow other people's behaviour to intimidate us.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to reach our own fullest potential because we are afraid.

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
Every morning when sleep leaves and waking comes there is cause for praising God. Caught up, as we are, in the currents and eddies of our lives, this is easy to forget. This wonderful psalm is a reminder. God's bounty and abundance spill into our lives like waters over a causeway. God's delight in creation explodes in a million different colors. In every moment there is reason to give God praise.
Robert R. Kopp
When I was a little boy growing up in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania's First Presbyterian Church, one of those Christian chalk artists with black light, neon colors, and black felt canvas who made pictures of Jesus look like those Elvis portraits for sale on the side of the road at the beach showed up as entertainment for a Sunday evening potluck dinner.
John E. Berger
Today's sermon begins with this little one-person drama.
Mark Ellingson
Have you ever felt that you were absolutely at the end of your rope, left without hope? Sometime during the years of 539 B.C. to 331 B.C. that is the way the people of Judah felt. It seems that their land had been ravaged by a plague of locusts which had had catastrophic consequences.

Once a harvest has been destroyed, you cannot repair it. If a building has burned to the ground, you cannot repair it. In those instances you need to start from scratch with a fresh start.

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