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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

It may be now or never -- Amos 6:1a, 4-7, Luke 16:19-31 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
One of the most remarkable and thrilling insights into reality which the Bible provides is the up-fr
Humanity and Divinity -- Psalm 111, Hebrews 2:10-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
As has been observed in one of the lessons, the discussion of JesusÕ humanity and divinity seems nev
Show me your ways -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
I have to admit that I have absolutely no interest in preserving the institution of the church.
Have you been to the mountaintop? -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
There are only two kinds of people in the world.
Maker of heaven and earth -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, Psalm 130 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Okay, sooner or later, and more likely sooner than later, if you engage in the homiletical
Why Christians must go on living in the world -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20, Acts 16:16-34, John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Each of the lessons for this, the last Sunday in Easter, have something to say about putting trust i
Beginnings -- Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18, John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
On the first Sunday in the new year, a theme of beginnings seems very appropriate.
It was good -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 8 -- William H. Shepherd -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
The more I listened, the more I heard desperation.
Proclamation -- Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
"He has anointed me.""He has sent me."
An annual reminder -- Mark 16:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Acts 10:34-43 -- David Kalas -- Easter Day - B
In the opening verse of our passage from the epistles, the Apostle Paul writes, "Now I would remind
Creation is Salvation -- Psalm 8, Proverbs 8:22-31, Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
It is interesting to discover just how many times creation and salvation seem to be concepts that ar
Believing is seeing -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Sometimes we see people who are wide-eyed with wonder.
All things new and improved -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35, Psalm 148 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
We don't much care for new things being forced on us, but we do like to have new things offered to u
Christ for the church -- Acts 5:12, 17-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Immediately after Easter, the church comes to the fore.
Love -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
One of the preacher's greatest difficulties is to deal with the word love.
Past and future -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
As Holy Week draws near, the lessons carry the struggle between past and present, continuity and dis
The Exalted Lord -- Ascension of the Lord - B
I imagine the world could not hold all the records of discussions about the ascension and its meanin
The Call of Duty -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, Luke 17:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
There are those who chafe at the word duty. It seems so arbitrary, so oppressive, so binding.
No spring chicken -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45, Psalm 130 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Each year about this time, we in the church are fond of making a misplaced analogy.
Triumphant suffering -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C
On this day for remembering the death of Jesus, each of the lessons portrays nobility in suffering.
A good story retold -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
The movie Jesus of Montreal (1989) pictures young actors working to revitalize a passion play
Symbols and Communication -- Exodus 34:29-35, Luke 9:28-36 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
History is filled with stories of conflict over symbols, icons, images, and other representati
Salvation -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-13, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
It is natural to expect that people will always couch any talk about salvation in terms of their own
Facing Up to Life -- Psalm 107:1, 33-43, Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Sometimes when I hear people speak of their faith and their relationship to God, I get the idea that
Of simplicity and simpletons -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12, Psalm 15 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A
We have a prejudice in favor of things complex.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

When you think big about a task bigger than yourself... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
When you think big about a task bigger than yourself, like Paul felt about his ministry, then it get
One of the ruling bodies in France was called the Estates General... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Ron Love -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
One of the ruling bodies in France was called the Estates General.
Francis of Assisi patterned his own order the Brothers Minor... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
Francis of Assisi patterned his own order the Brothers Minor after Jesus' description of sending the
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
A Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life poll revealed... -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
With reference to the lesson's description of David and his contemporaries worshiping joyfully it is
John Paul Jones, a captain in the U.S. Navy... -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Ron Love -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
John Paul Jones, a captain in the U.S.
People of faith are often confused and unclear about... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
People of faith are often confused and unclear about being "chosen" by God as Paul expresses the con
John was a prophet standing up to the corrupt establishment... -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
John was a prophet standing up to the corrupt establishment. What might we prophesy about today?
Ali Ferzat spent years drawing political cartoons... -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Ron Love -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
Ali Ferzat spent years drawing political cartoons that denounced the autocratic reign of Syria's lea
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
After David had consolidated his kingdom... -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
After David had consolidated his kingdom he decided it was time that he built a house for God.
Paul refers to Christ creating one new humanity... -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
Paul refers to Christ creating one new humanity, especially in the church.
Statistician Hans Rosling is recognized for his contribution to advancing the public health... -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Ron Love -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
Statistician Hans Rosling is recognized for his contribution to advancing the public health in Afric
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him... -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him, but his disciples tended to feel that there were some peo
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Some children were taken to a nursing home... -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Ron Love -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
Some children were taken to a nursing home to sing to the residents and share some time with them.
Like David, Americans do not want to acknowledge their sin... -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
Like David, Americans do not want to acknowledge their sin.
N.T. Wright tells the following story about Desmond Tutu... -- Ephesians 3:14-21 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
N.T. Wright tells the following story about Desmond Tutu's prayer life.
Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson made an insightful comment... -- John 6:1-21 -- Ron Love -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson made an insightful comment that could only come from one who stud
An article in a 2010 issue of Nature magazine indicated... -- John 6:1-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
An article in a 2010 issue of Nature magazine indicated that we have the food resources to fe
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 13 | OT 18 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a
As Nathan told his story about the rich man... -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
William J.
In the May 2012 publication of Time magazine... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Ron Love -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
In the May 2012 publication of Time magazine, the editors devoted a special double issue to t
Our lesson speaks of our unity... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Our lesson speaks of our unity, for Christ now fills all things.
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian... -- John 6:24-35 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian who was hurrying to finish his Ph.D. dissertation.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For August 17, 2025:
  • When Good News Is Bad News by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Charles Darwin believed that the two most significant achievements in human history were the development of language and the harnessing of fire. Today we apply both, language and the symbol of fire, to our understanding of the gospel.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Isaiah 5:1-7
David Coffin
When does the status quo no longer seem to be working? In her book, The Last Flight Julie Clark begins with the seemingly flawlessly choreographed life of Claire Cook, the wife of a wealthy politician at the peak of this political dynasty. Despite the elegant surroundings of the Manhattan townhouse, staff of ten servants, life behind closed doors is different. Her husband Rory has a hot temper, and is abusive. There is also the memory of the mysterious death of his first wife.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? (Jeremiah 23:26)

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:56)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A fire extinguisher.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started. But I need to warn you that this is a really strange story. At least the things that Jesus says sound really strange. But let’s see if we can figure out what the story is really all about.

(Show the fire extinguisher.)  This is a little reminder that sometimes it is really hard to follow Jesus and do what he wants us to do!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that life would not be easy for Christians, but calls us to stand up for our beliefs. In our worship today let us acknowledge and explore the difficulties of standing as a Christian in today's society.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we find it easier to go with the flow than to stand against other people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the number of people who ignore you.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Advent 4, Cycle A, and Advent 1, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)

William E. Keeney
49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her
Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage is famously known as Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard." It begins with the prophet singing, in what we would describe as troubadour-fashion, a love song about his dod, his friend, the beloved. Everyone is interested in a love affair, of course, and so the song is intended to capture the interest of Isaiah's listeners.
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
What can faith do? It can part a raging sea and allow a nation to walk through. What can faith do? It can knock down the walls of a fortified city so that God can prove a point. What can faith do? It can single out a woman who follows God's lead and protect her from certain death. Today many people are into "reality" television shows where individuals are put to extreme tests. We watch them because we like to see others battle against great odds and come out victorious.

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