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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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
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.
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
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
Idol-rife -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells t
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.
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
Rejoicing -- Psalm 126, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Sometimes one can listen to the Christian community as it conducts its life, witness and worsh
Looking for heroes -- Mark 4:35-41, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, Psalm 9:9-20 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
The year was 1934. Times were difficult around the world. Times were especially
Getting on the right frequency -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
One of my proofs for the existence of God is that as a child I neither set the neighborhood ablaze n
Now it's time to preach -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
The Sunday after Easter is an unenviable time for preachers in many churches.
No turning back -- 1 Kings 19:15-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
What does it mean to us that we say our lives are in the service of God?
God in the Wings -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Many in Christendom express concern that Christ is crowded out of Christmas by our fascination with
Joy Versus a High -- Jeremiah 31:10-13, Luke 2:41-52, Colossians 3:12-21 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Surely one of the central themes of the Christmas season is the theme of joy.
In gratitude -- Micah 1:2; 2:1-10, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
At the heart of most sinning is the spirit of ingratitude.
Preparing for the fulfillment -- Isaiah 28:14-22, Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-29, Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
If death is a closing of the eyes to the segment of life we play out this side of eternity, then lik
Joy -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
There is these days a proper concern for the restoration of the element of joy to our Christian fait
Upside-down kingdom -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
In his classic book, GulliverÕs Travels, Jonathan Swift takes the reader on an adventure thro
Trouble -- Genesis 15:1-12 , 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12 , 17-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Overcoming trouble provides the theme this week.
The Spirit -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Few issues trouble the church more than dealing with matters of the Spirit.
God is Where We See Him -- 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-6, Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Leveraging the family genome -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Roman historian, Herodotus, told of the pride the Egyptians had in being the oldest
Covenant: the next generation -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
One of the central concepts of the Bible is the "covenant." A covenant is a contract-plus.
When the crows come home to roost -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21, Galatians 6:7-18, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
The Sundays after Pentecost and Trinity traditionally have focused on the growth in the Christian li
New Age religion -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
What has been called New Age religion has been with us for a while now.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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
NULL -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
On Valentine's Day romantics old or young have the opportunity to declare their love.
NULL -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Bob Ove -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Don't we really want that new contract!
NULL -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
John was furious! "Jane, how could you have done this?" Jane was mortified.
NULL -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Alecia Beth Moore, whose stage name is Pink, wrote an essay on her admiration for the singing talent
NULL -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
The heart of the Reformation message is that righteousness/salvation is not something we achieve by
NULL -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Martin Luther was a troubled Augustinian monk trying to gain the assurance of his personal salvation
NULL -- John 8:31-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr.
NULL -- John 8:31-36 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
"Please give me your attention," the flight attendant announced.
NULL -- John 8:31-36 -- Bob Ove -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Abraham was not perfect. He had his ups and downs!
NULL -- John 8:31-36 -- Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Hans Rosling, 63, is trained in statistics and medicine.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2012) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Ruth 1:1-18
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Vera was a unique woman. During her marriage she birthed two natural sons.
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
There is a saying: "Mind your thoughts for they become words.
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
When we lived in Nepal there were families being torn apart by intermarriage.
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) in July 2012 cast her 5,000th consecutive vote in the Senate.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
In her book The Undoing of Death, Fleming Rutledge explores the meaning of the cross by refer
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
A 2008 Pew Forum poll revealed that 65% of the American public believe that many religions (not just
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
I have often had church members ask me, "How can I love God with my heart, soul, strength, and mind
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Wherever Anne went, she ran each morning.

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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