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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Compassion: the language of heaven -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2015
Ian Maclaren tells the story of a young woman in his book Beside the Bon­nie Briar Bush.
Glorifying God in difficult times -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- David Coffin -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Today’s texts afford the preacher an opportunity to identify which difficult times people in our con
Taking and offering -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2015
When do we have enough?
The well-traveled path of suffering -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2015
There is an exquisite tension on Palm Sunday, which is also known as Passion Sunday.
What does it take to be God's person? -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2015
Whether we are high-born or low, rich or poor, male or female, working for ourselves or others -- hu
Climbing in the light -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
The story of God's love in the Bible focuses on Jesus. But Jesus did not appear in a vacuum.
Shattered dreams and reviving hopes -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2015
A Jewish boy in Europe grew up with a profound sense of admiration for his father.
Life eternal transforms us -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Easter Day - B -- 2015
Our scriptures today remind us that Easter is more than a welcoming of spring, and that our Easter m
A place at the table -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2015
Here’s a parable: a man is convicted of a criminal act.
Wisdom and folly -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2015
Are we to be fools for Christ, or wise as serpents (and innocent as doves)?
So that you may come to believe -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
The challenge for those who preach from the lectionary every year is that we have the “Doubting Thom
Struggling with God's invitation -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2015
God created us for God’s own reasons -- to walk with God, to tend the earth, to care for one another
The lessons of Easter are meant for us -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Two of the Founding Fathers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were once fast friends, comrades in th
Religion that is pure -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- David Coffin -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2015
The dog days of a hot August summer have been upon us.
The posture of love -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
One of the popular songs of the mid-1960s sweetly declared, “What the world needs now is love.” That
Don't judge people by their covers -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2015
Shorthand might be an efficient way to take quick notes, but it’s a lousy way to typecast people.
Of jungles and gardens -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
After Margaret Mead, the world-renowned anthropologist, gave a presentation at a university, she hos
Wordsmithing -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2015
A Jewish rabbi was officiating at the funeral of a woman from his congregation.
A commandment to love -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
“Love one another” sounds so simple, but can be so hard.
Wisdom's gifts, God's embrace -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2015
We are blessed today with inspiring words from the Wisdom tradition in both the Hebrew and Christian
Word of new life -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- David Coffin -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
This is one of the final weeks of the Easter season, which entails new life in some form.
What righteousness means -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2015
In our day, “righteousness” is often mistakenly interpreted as “self-righteousness.” This i
A community of joy -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2015
360 review -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- David Kalas -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2015
The logic is simple: you understand a thing better if you are able to see it from all sides.
An Advocate to guide us -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2015
Sooner or later most of us have the experience of getting behind the wheel for the first time.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 5 (2015) -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2015
Isaiah 40:21-31
Sermon Illustrations for The Transfiguration (2015) -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2015
2 Kings 2:1-12
Sermon Illustrations for Ash Wednesday (2015) -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2015
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 1 (2015) -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Genesis 9:8-17
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 2 (2015) -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 3 (2015) -- John 2:13-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Exodus 20:1-17 -- Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Exodus 20:1-17
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 4 (2015) -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Numbers 21:4-9
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 5 (2015) -- John 12:20-33, Hebrews 5:5-10, Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Sermon Illustrations for Passion/Palm Sunday (2015) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2015
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2015) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Frank Ramirez, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2015
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2015) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2015) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove -- Easter Day - B -- 2015
Acts 10:34-43
Sermon Illustrations for Second Sunday of Easter (2015) -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 4:32-35
Sermon Illustrations for the Third Sunday of Easter (2015) -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 3:12-19
Sermon Illustrations for the Fourth Sunday after Easter (2015) -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 4:5-12
Sermon Illustrations for the Fifth Sunday after Easter (2015) -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 8:26-40
Sermon Illustrations for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (2015) -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 10:44-48
Sermon Illustrations for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (2015) -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Sermon Illustrations for Ascension of the Lord (2015) -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2015
Acts 1:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Pentecost (2015) -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2015
Acts 2:1-21
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2015) -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2015
Isaiah 6:1-8
Illustrations for Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 (2015) -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2015
1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 6 | OT 11, Cycle B (2015) -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2015
1 Samuel 15:34--16:13
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | OT 12, Cycle B (2015) -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2015
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2015) -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2015
2 Samuel 1:1, 16-27

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
34 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For November 16, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Another natural disaster has flattened a number of coastal communities. Despite the weather and major television station warnings, and government disaster preparations, the dystopian destruction nightmare of Luke 21 has decimated another community. Also, it is reasonable to believe that this is not the last year for hurricanes, Tsunami’s, wild fires, mudslides and tornados. They will occur again. However as weary citizens are interviewed in one group of people with the background of homes in rubble and streets still draining flood waters, they will not leave. This is their home.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (v. 25)

A week after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, country singer Toby Keith — who died Feb. 5, 2024 — wrote a patriotic ballad titled “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” It was filled with populist fighting rhetoric that matched the mood of a nation shaken by the shocking death and destruction of that day.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A blood pressure monitor. It is actually called a sphygmomanometer, and is pronounced “sfig·mow·muh·naa’·muh·tr”.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

John W. Clarke
No reading of Luke is complete without coming to realize that Luke is concerned that the world understands that Jesus is the hope of the world and that any teaching that leads away from that fact is a false teaching. No matter what, no matter when, Jesus will be there to give us life.

Scott Suskovic
Whoever does not work should not eat!
-- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Wow! Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? Not a lot of ambiguity in that rule. "You don't work, you don't eat." For a religion based on grace, it seems a bit unyielding.

Mark Ellingson
Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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