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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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.
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
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.
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.
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."
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.
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
Christmas lights -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
Editor's note: Because some churches now use the Epiphany Day lections instead of th
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
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.
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.
Ultimately! -- Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
One of the little books that ought to be required reading for every Christian is The Will of God
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
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.
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
Theme and Season -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
If the spirit of expectancy and anticipation is appropriate at Advent it is clear that a question a
Maundy -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Maundy Thursday - C
The word "maundy" means commandment -- "this I command you."
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.
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.
The Pastoral Heart -- 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, Mark 3:20-35, Mark 3:20-35 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C
Somebody has to pay! -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Anger is like a volcano. Deep in many of us there is a lake of pain, pure molten hurt.
Epiphany All Year -- Isaiah 42:1-7; 61:1-4, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Sometimes I think that we do the concept of Epiphany harm by observing one Sunday as Epiphany.
Disputed election -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43, Luke 1:68-79 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
Now that election day is behind us again, we can get on with business as usual.
Learning from cancer -- Luke 24:36b-48, 1 John 3:1-7, Acts 3:12-19 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
For the past seven years, cancer has been part of my journey.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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.
Max Lucado in his book, Just Like Jesus... -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
Max Lucado in his book, Just Like Jesus, cites an episode from his experience of being a tran
In the comedy film The Money Pit... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Ron Love -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
In the comedy film The Money Pit, Tom Hanks and Shelly Long play a young couple in New York C
I've grown to really enjoy cooking over the years... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Craig Kelly -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
I've grown to really enjoy cooking over the years.
One of the great passions of Bono... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
One of the great passions of Bono, the lead singer of the rock band U2 is to end Third World debts a
Sermon Illustrations for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
When Judas had to be replaced by a new apostle... -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Ron Love -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When Judas had to be replaced by a new apostle, the Christian community was scrutinized for the two
Tony Campolo cites a Fortune magazine article... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Tony Campolo cites a Fortune magazine article telling how young men and women entering the bu
We live in a politically correct world... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Craig Kelly -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
We live in a politically correct world. Tolerance is a key word in today's society.
Ken and Carol Dorushka were having their morning cup of coffee... -- John 17:6-19 -- Ron Love -- 2012
Ken and Carol Dorushka were having their morning cup of coffee, when Carol mentioned she needed some

Political Pulpit

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The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
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Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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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