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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The Danger of Walking in the Light -- 2 Kings 2:1-12a, Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
In both the Old and New Testaments light is always associated directly with God.
Mystery and revelation -- Exodus 3:1-15, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
The revelation of God, as described in the call of Moses, still leaves a great deal unexplained.
Spiritual chinook -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Wayne Brouwer -- Day of Pentecost - B
In northern parts of the United States winter weather reports include phrases like "cold
Appearance -- Acts 5:17-32, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-18 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
At first, just the word that someone had seen him was enough. The eyewitnesses were present.
Righteousness -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Speak the word "righteousness" in almost any congregation and immediately the hearers will translate
Farewells are for the future -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 93
What do we include with our good-byes? Almost always, we include the future.
God Is Watching -- Psalm 121, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Psalm 121 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
I wonder what we think when we hear this phrase: "God is watching." For all too many, I suspect that
Defining your destiny -- Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31), Matthew 7:21-29, Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A
One of Harry Emerson Fosdick's great sermons has the title "On Catching the Wrong Bus." He tells of
The right lens, "A or B" -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
One thing that I don't look forward to is the periodic visit to the optometrist.
A Living Faith -- Acts 16:16-34, John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
There is a general (mis)understanding, once the resurrection was perceived and understood, there imm
In Transition -- Job 7:1-7, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
February is for the church a month of transition from the Epiphany theme of showing forth the life,
Respons ... ibility -- Ezekiel 33:1-11, Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Listen to most people talk about responsibility and you will soon hear them speaking of duty and obl
On the Way -- Malachi 3:14, Luke 3:1-6, Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
On the Wayby Ross Marrs
An urgent word from our brother, Dives -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
In choosing from the scripture listings for this Sunday, a number of compelling reasons suggest the
It's who knows you that counts! -- Deuteronomy 10:12-22, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
The "street-wise" will tell you, "It's who you know that counts!" It's "drag," or "pull," that gets
Prisoners for love -- John 15:9-17, 1 John 5:1-6, Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
In a scene from the current hit Broadway show, The Producers, a chorus of
Midterm exams -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
At the college where I teach in the religion department, we are just past midterm exams.
Lent -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Surely most readers know that the original meaning of the word "Lent" is associated with springtime
Between acts -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
What do you do between Act 2 and Act 3 of a performance? That depends upon who you are.
He's hyper -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
"I worry about him," my wife said as the credits rolled for Bowling for Columbine, referring
Moving on -- Acts 14:8-18, John 13:31-35, Revelation 21:1-6 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
One of John's contributions is his writing from the viewpoint of a later early Christian.
Faith and Works -- Psalm 15, Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
One would think that one of these days the continuing discussion of these two matters would go away.
Transfiguration -- Psalm 99, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
There is a mighty difference between the self-made perfectionist who is certain that by his perfecti
The Trinity -- Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17, John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Few, in their right minds, would address this subject if they could get out of it; yet it does need
The God of New Beginnings -- Psalm 104:24-34, Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C
Listen to some people talk these days and you get the idea that they worship a God who is interested

Communicating God's Love

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Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2012
If Jesus was tempted in every way such as we are, then he can understand our temptations.
NULL -- Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2012
As a church youth director, Ardi received lots of flyers in her mailbox.
NULL -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2012
Unlike the rich man in our biblical text, Francis of Assisi was willing to give up all his riches fo
NULL -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2012
Why is Jesus so tough on the rich? Why is it harder to enter God's kingdom if you are rich?
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 (2012) -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Cynthia E. Cowen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
NULL -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Ron Love -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
In the comic strip The Born Loser, Brutus Thornapple is staring at his computer console.
NULL -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
The book of Job shows us the face of suffering.
NULL -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Bob Ove -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
When I was a kid I thought I knew everything, so I was always complaining when my folks thought they
NULL -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
If we were to paraphrase these words in today's parlance, it would sound like this: "Who do you thin
NULL -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
We are awed by war stories of heroes who took a bullet for a friend.
NULL -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
In the Hebrew Talmud is an old legend that goes as follows: Rabbi Yoshua ben Levi came upon Elijah t
NULL -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
There were many hikers who came to Nepal to challenge the tallest mountains in the world.
NULL -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Ron Love -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
J.
NULL -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
When I hear the word "servant" I think of Alice the maid in The Brady Bunch or the butlers Je
NULL -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
In the popular reality TV show The Apprentice, candidates vie for the privilege to be selecte
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2012) -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler, Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
NULL -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Job's encounter with God left him speechless, silenced him regarding all his previous questions and
NULL -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Wesley C.
NULL -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Oftentimes new technology becomes so commonplace that we fail to realize its revolutionary social ch
NULL -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
In 70 AD, General Titus (destined to become Caesar) brought the Roman Legions to Jerusalem to quell
NULL -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
We often hear about soldiers who sacrificed for our country but seldom hear about the one who sacrif
NULL -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
The British poet Lord Byron wrote, "They never fail who die in a great cause." Over the centuries ma
NULL -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
A Russian pilgrim in the nineteenth century wandered into a church service and heard the pastor prea
NULL -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Martin Luther suggests that Bartimaeus represents all of us who want a closer walk with God: "The bl
Sermon Illustrations for Reformation Day (2012) -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Ron Love, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Jeremiah 31:31-34

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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:
  • Who Is My Neighbor? by Tom Willadsen based on 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20; Psalm 30.

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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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