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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Christ mass -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1990
How we conceive Christmas is critical to our faith.
Watching the expanding claims of the New Testament -- 2 Samuel 7:8-16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
Just back away from the New Testament for a moment and take a broad look at what is portrayed here.
Keep Christmas in perspective -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1990
One may wonder why Christmas is so short a season in the church year. Four Sundays in Advent.
The continuing Advent -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
Perhaps we have succeeded in obscuring the meaning of Advent when we have tied it to one time such a
Comfort, comfort my people -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1981
(A)
Small, medium, or large? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- David Kalas -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
With a national election still large in our rearview mirror, it's an easy thing for us to be preoccu
The cosmic Christ -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Happy New Year!
Children of the Heavenly Father -- Zechariah 12:7-10, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
I can remember as though it were yesterday the birth of our first son.
Suffering -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
No issue has been so difficult for Judaism and Christianity than suffering.
Spirited speech -- Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C
The issue of communication, godly and human, forms the common bond among the Pentecost texts.
Words on singed lips -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 138 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
You can always tell the prophets by the scars on their lips.
Commandment -- Exodus 34:3-11, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (18-21), Mark 14:12-26 -- Maundy Thursday - B
"Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
Etiquette for God's realm -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
It has happened to me often enough in my ministry that I must conclude that it is a common experienc
Response -- 1 Kings 2:1, 6-14, Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
All three of the Scriptures for this Sunday have to do with different kinds of responses to God's gi
The God Who Saves -- Psalm 117, Isaiah 55:10-13, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C
Sometimes I hear people talking as if God were some sort of tyrant who was forever either tempting u
Great awakenings -- Isaiah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Unexpected change may be good or bad.
Good cop, bad cop -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
I do not watch a lot of entertainment television (most days none at all), but there is one televisio
The price of loving! -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Galatians 4:4-7, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Now come the bills! Christmas is a time of exhilarating gift giving.
Advent's long promises -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - B
The lectionary permits an easy move from the end of one church year to the beginning of another.
A watery grave -- Mark 1:9-15, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Genesis 9:8-17 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday in Lent - B
A photograph of the earth from outer space reveals how much of our world is water.
The unwelcome work of God -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Doctors and dentists: They are the patron saints of unwelcome work.
Anxiety -- Psalm 127, Genesis 15:1-12, 17, 18, Luke 13:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
It is a good exercise to contrast Abram's anxiety about his future with the assurance on the part of
Realism -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, John 12:9-19, Colossians 1:11-20 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
All through this series of lessons I have been referring to realism as if all of us understood its m
Covenant -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:7-10, John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Sometimes I hear persons talking about their relationship to God as though they're bargaining with h
Eternity Present with Us -- Psalm 47, Acts 16:16-34 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Very often I hear someone speak of eternity in terms that give me pause.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Roger Bannister is the first man to run the four-minute mile... -- John 20:19-31 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Roger Bannister is the first man to run the four-minute mile.
Sermon Illustrations for the Third Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 3:12-19
Lloyd Ogilvie one day was pondering this passage... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Lloyd Ogilvie one day was pondering this passage about Peter's sermon in the temple after Peter and
I wonder why it is that so many... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
I wonder why it is that so many in the body of Christ see so many events in scripture as only being
Susanna Wesley defined... -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Susanna Wesley defined for her son, who would become the founder of Methodism, the meaning of sin.
Ever watch one of those paranormal investigation shows... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Ever watch one of those paranormal investigation shows, like SyFy's Ghost Hunters?
Bill Tammeus in his article... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Bill Tammeus in his article "Facing Funerals, Affirming Faith" in The Presbyterian Outlook ar
Sermon Illustrations for the Fourth Sunday after Easter (2012) -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 4:5-12
Peter proclaims in his sermon that Jesus is the "cornerstone"... -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Peter proclaims in his sermon that Jesus is the "cornerstone" on which the church is built.
Debra Farrington calls our attention to a children's book... -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Debra Farrington calls our attention to a children's book written by Kenneth Grahame titled Wind
It is so easy for us to look at our bank accounts and think that we're not making a lot of money... -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Craig Kelly -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
It is so easy for us to look at our bank accounts and think that we're not making a lot of money.
When Melinda Gates returned from Bangladesh... -- John 10:11-18 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When Melinda Gates returned from Bangladesh, she shared what she learned about the humanitarian work
Sermon Illustrations for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 8:26-40
In the musical Rent... -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
In the musical Rent the hit song "Seasons of Love" speaks of 526,600 minutes in a year.
When the British monarch is coronated... -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When the British monarch is coronated, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland gives the new king or
When Melinda Gates returned from Bangladesh... -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Ron Love -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When Melinda Gates returned from Bangladesh where she observed the humanitarian work being performed
Not all of us farm or tend gardens anymore... -- John 15:1-8 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Not all of us farm or tend gardens anymore, so for some, this illustration may not be quite as illum
New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright tells... -- John 15:1-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright tells of learning to prune roses.
Sermon Illustrations for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 10:44-48
Sid Cook, 59, is a fourth generation Wisconsin cheese maker... -- Acts 10:44-48 -- Ron Love -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Sid Cook, 59, is a fourth generation Wisconsin cheese maker.
The late Peter Gomes once commented on Eastern Orthodox baptism... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
The late Peter Gomes once commented on Eastern Orthodox baptism and said: "...
Whenever immigrants to the United States become naturalized citizens... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Craig Kelly -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Whenever immigrants to the United States become naturalized citizens, they are required to take an o
John spoke to his followers -- John 15:9-17 -- Ron Love -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
John spoke to his followers as "friends" because of the love he had for them.
Sermon Illustrations for Ascension of the Lord (2012) -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
Acts 1:1-11
In classic western films... -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Craig Kelly -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
In classic western films, there is the cliché ending of riding off into the sunset.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For July 6, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

Note: You will need an older volunteer to help with this activity. One option would be to find a teenager with some physical ability. If a teen is not available, an adult could be used instead. For simplicity here, I will refer to my older volunteer as “TOM”. You will also need to select three of your younger children to serve as volunteers in the story.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
2 Kings 5:1-14
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Naaman seeks healing. He travels hoping healing will come to him when he visits the king of Israel. Yet, healing does not come in that way. Rather healing comes through Elishah. Healing comes from believing and being cleansed in the River Jordan. Healing comes through Naaman’s faithfulness and through God’s grace. Psalm 30 also reminds us to seek healing; to seek God and God will heal and restore us. Do we believe that? Do we believe that God can bring healing?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ (vv. 10-11)

When I visit your church for the first time, consider the possibility that I might be looking for a church home. I am a good-looking old guy, but I have gray hair and I dress down in the summer, so don’t be put off by my cargo shorts and tank top. Talk to me!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last! They'd been with the Leader for months and months, waiting for this moment. Not that it had felt much like training. They'd simply lived with the Leader, listening to his stories, hearing about the Kingdom, learning to get along really well with all the other people at Mission Headquarters. Now all seventy of them were ready, the spaceship had docked, and the Mission was about to begin. Ora was glad she'd been paired up with Damien again.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Stan Purdum
Carlos Wilton
(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B, and Easter 3, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

Anyone who has ever had the experience of losing a friend because of some conflict or dispute, and then has had the friendship restored because of love and forgiveness, has a unique insight into the meaning of this psalm. Although the poem begins and ends with praise, there is in the middle of the poem a brief moment of confession and contrition that puts the praise portions of the psalm in an entirely different light.

April Yamasaki
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The former football player, wrestler, and now actor was asked about a low time in his life when he was very discouraged about his career and future.

"How did you make your way back from that?" he was asked.

The Rock replied, "You have to put yourself out there. You have to get out there and fail, and learn from your failures."

Larry D. Powell
In the summer of 1983, I participated in a ministerial exchange program sponsored by my denomination. My assignment was to a circuit of churches on the Isle of Man, a tiny island located in the Irish Sea. The months preceding the exchange included considerable correspondence with the minister on the island with whom I would exchange pastoral duties for six weeks.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
A wealthy businessman decided to take a walk and eat his lunch at the same time. He strolled by a park. There he purchased a hot dog and a soft drink. As he walked through the park two different "street people" approached him one by one. Each asked, "Can you help me? I am hungry." Each time the businessman looked straight ahead and kept walking. After finishing his lunch, he stopped and bought a chocolate eclair for dessert. As he was about to take the first bite, he was forced to jump out of the way as a young boy raced by on his skateboard. The eclair went flying and landed on the ground.

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