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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Testimonies -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
In Susan Howatch's novel, Absolute Truths, the main character is a rather perfect man.
Glory -- Exodus 34:29-35, Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
When I was young, I knew an old man, bedfast in his terminal illness, who would say to the pastor, "
Light in the darkness! -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A
Have you ever noticed how the story of Jesus' birth is set in the midst of a play of darkness and li
The day the Spirit moved in -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- David Kalas -- Day of Pentecost - C
Things change in a house when someone new moves in.
Revelation -- Acts 9:1-20, John 21:1-14, Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
By Ross Marrs
Breaking boxes -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Easter Day - A
The central message of Christian faith is that Jesus was raised from the dead.
The Danger Of Good Times -- Joel 2:23-30, Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Most of us dream of the day when all our problems will be solved, we will have plenty of money, and
God brought laughter -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Romans 5:1-8, Psalm 100 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
A few years back, the religious media was filled with reports of "holy laughter." Some charismatic c
Just do it -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28, Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
In the 1980s, Nike challenged athletes (and would-be athletes) with this straightforward motto: J
The tenth leper -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
When Jerusalem fell to the Chaldeans the significant portion of the population forcibly resettled in
Persistence -- Genesis 32:22-30, Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Here and there in the Biblical record, one can find material that seems to issue a call for persiste
For those who have ears to hear -- Ezekiel 33:1-11, Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
This is a day when a lot of ears will burn if the preaching follows the lead of the texts.
Deliverance -- Exodus 3:1-15, Luke 13:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
By Ross Marrs
Pick me! Pick me! -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- David Kalas -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
The children gather on the playground for a game: perhaps kickball, or basketball, or touch football
Great Expectations -- Jeremiah 11:18-20, Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Most of us have been conditioned to expect great things from God.
Utopia -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, Acts 16:9-15, Psalm 67 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Recent years have seen a resurgence of participation in public discussions of books.
The ministry next door -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 82 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
A friend tells that from time to time his wife chides him for what he is able to walk past around th
Help wanted -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- David Kalas -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A
A friend, who was about to become a father, asked me about the relationship I had with my father whe
Act for tomorrow today! -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
In the parables of last Sunday Jesus presented two central characters who would discombobulate the s
The Presence of the Spirit -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Whether considering the Hebrew or New Testament selections, one is made fully aware that all the wr
Christian community -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29, Revelation 21:10, 22-27, John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Here we see community formation in action.
Teaching -- Nehemiah 8:1-10, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
This week, all three lessons present the teaching ministry for the people of God.
Wonder -- Exodus 15:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
By Ross Marrs
The wrong anthem -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14-27:66 -- William H. Shepherd -- Passion Sunday - A
The choir director was aghast. "I just didn't realize," she said. "It was totally inappropriate.
The Broken Heart -- Hosea 6:1-6, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 19:17-30 -- Good Friday - C
Much discussion has gone on in the church regarding God's attitude on Good Friday. Where was he?

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Those are terrifying words!... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Those are terrifying words! What about the safety we should find in Christ?
The Hollywood movie 2012 is about the end of the world... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
The Hollywood movie 2012 is about the end of the world on December 21, 2012, based on the pre
Sermon Illustratins for Advent 2 (2012) -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Malachi 3:1-4
Advent is a time for looking ahead... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Advent is a time for looking ahead, a time to plan for the future, just like Malachi plans for the c
Though in the pastorate for a number of years... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Though in the pastorate for a number of years, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, still harbored
Advent is a time of waiting, longing, expecting, hoping... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Advent is a time of waiting, longing, expecting, hoping.
I like the way Paul begins all his epistles with a compliment... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
I always like the way Paul begins all his epistles with a compliment.
The ancient theologian Saint Augustine... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
The ancient theologian Saint Augustine helps us see that John is a model for how we might be messeng
When the word of the Lord came to John the Baptist... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
When the word of the Lord came to John the Baptist it brought him a spiritual peace and a desire to
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 3 (2012) -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Zephaniah 3:14-20
What would it sound like to hear God sing? -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
What would it sound like to hear God sing?
Sermon illustrations for New Year's Eve/Day (2012/2013) -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Sermon Illustrations for First Sunday after Christmas Day (2012) -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
Over the holidays Connie lost her watch -- a special gift from her father.
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
What time is it? Maybe it is whatever time we make it to be!
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
There have been so many ways invented to keep track of time.
NULL -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
This is not a text about making New Year's resolutions, but a description of the new reality God has
NULL -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Ron Love -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
The word "amen" used by the church was incorporated directly from the Jewish synagogue, with no alte
NULL -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
We see so many appeals in magazines and on television for many causes both at home and in other coun
NULL -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
In her book God Never Blinks, Regina Brett recounts her upbringing in parochial school.
NULL -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
When driving through farm country, have you ever seen llamas grazing with horses?
NULL -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
The idea of giving things up for Jesus seems rather quaint; not very fashionable these days.
NULL -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
The Moravian community of Herrnhut in Saxony was well established by the year 1727.
NULL -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
Great advice! Memorize this passage and try to fulfill it.
NULL -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
When we dress for the day's activities, we do not put on just one piece of clothing.

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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
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29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
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Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
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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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