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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

God frees us from fear -- 1 Kings 19:1-4, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2013
The scriptures for this Sunday are about fear and belonging.
Shine, Jesus, shine! -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2013
In their book Resident Aliens, Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon tell the story of a Unit
Audacious faith -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
There are Sundays when we look at the lectionary readings and wonder how all three passages work tog
The call of God makes us whole -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
The scriptures this week are focused on the importance of the people of God to our Creator.
Which words get drowned out? -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2013
In our small town, the local printed newspaper is struggling to survive.
Remembering who we are -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
When Mahatma Gandhi traveled from his India homeland as a young man and studied for a time in Englan
Group pictures -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2013
We've been part of a lot of group pictures over the years: family Christmas cards and team photograp
Commitment test -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- David Coffin -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
Shall we or shall we not continue a certain ministry, program, or event in our congregation?
Words against the devil -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-13 -- Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
All three of the passages for this Sunday deal with the very basics of our faith: What do we believe
Discomforting words -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2013
Today's scriptures carry warnings that Christians of the 21st century really need to listen to.
Fork in the road: emptiness or fulfillment -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- David Coffin -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
About this Third Sunday of Lent, Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are memories for those in the broader
Intercession -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2013
When our oldest daughter began driver's training she needed to spend fifty hours behind the wheel of
The way to withness -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Religion is about a relationship.
True wealth -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
"What's in your safe?" This question from an advertisement about investing in gold queries the human
Do the right thing -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
There is a series of television advertisements about a financial company that puts forward the thesi
Dimensions of faith -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- David Coffin -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2013
On any given communion Sunday, various people line up either to take continuous communion or table c
Picture perfect -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- David Kalas -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
We are indebted to the various sorts of artists through the years who have helped us to picture Jesu
Exiles, outcasts, and home -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
When he summarized the formation of Latino identity, Gregory Rodriguez titled his social history
Reclaiming hope in sorrow -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
The names are burned into our recent memories: Columbine, Aurora, Newtown.
A timely word -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- David Coffin -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
Charles Dickens begins his classic work A Tale of Two Cities with "It was the best of times;
Words of new life -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- David Coffin -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
In our community most people have to go back to school or work on the Monday after Easter Sunday.
For all the saints -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- David Kalas -- All Saints Day - C -- 2013
All Saints Day does not boast the repertoire of music that some other seasons and holidays have.
A single family -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2013
When Christians come together to celebrate Maundy Thursday, we are entering into the Hebrew calendar
Under pressure -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
One of the British band Queen's greatest hits is a testimony of modern life.
Witnesses -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There is a marvelous little story tucked away in the pages of Edward Gibbon's seven-volume work T

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The Hebrew word... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
The Hebrew word "blessed" suggests the idea of strength.
Martin Luther... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Martin Luther, the sixteenth century pastor and theologian, began the Protestant Reformation in resp
All Israelites today... -- Romans 4:1-6 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
All Israelites today and in Jesus' day bragged about Abraham.
The religion of... -- John 3:1-17 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
The religion of Hinduism understands the entrapment of living a self-centered life.
Decades ago the... -- John 3:1-17 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Decades ago the story was told of a poor widow who contributed to the Dorpatian Branch of the Russia
Windmills grind... -- John 3:1-17 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Windmills grind grain.
We all have a... -- John 3:1-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
We all have a lot of Dr. Gregory House's self-righteousness in us.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 3 (2014) -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Exodus 17:1-7
Now that the... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Now that the Russians finally got rid of the communist regime, they are complaining that there is no
This scripture deals... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
This scripture deals with expectations of faith, praise, sacrifice, and hope.
A friend of mine... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
A friend of mine told me why he will not do online dating.
Paul says that... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Paul says that even while enemies of God we were reconciled to him through Christ (v. 10).
When demanding fair... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
When demanding fair pay for hard work, we often say that a person should get what they deserve.
How many times... -- John 4:5-42 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
How many times has God put us in situations that we might not think are kosher?
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 4 (2014) -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Often we are... -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Often we are like Samuel, running on fumes of depression and wandering aimlessly not knowing where t
Times were bad... -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Times were bad in Israel when God decided to anoint new leadership (David).
Thorstein Veblen is... -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Thorstein Veblen is a name that is unfamiliar to most of us; yet his introduction of an economic con
Ancient mirrors were... -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Ancient mirrors were made by pouring molten metal, usually bronze or brass, into a shape pressed int
We were once darkness... -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
We were once darkness before we gave ourselves to the Lord.
At Old English taverns... -- John 9:1-41 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
At Old English taverns people drank from pint- and quart-sized containers.
On the front... -- John 9:1-41 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
On the front of the one dollar bill, in the upper right-hand corner, there is a joke.
A blind man who... -- John 9:1-41 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
A blind man who was healed faced adversity from the Pharisees, who questioned him multiple times and
Commenting on this... -- John 9:1-41 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Commenting on this story of the blindness of the man Jesus healed Augustine claimed that this blind
Sigmund Freud was... -- Romans 8:6-11 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Sigmund Freud was correct about life apart from Christ: "The goal of all life is death." Or as Leona

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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, wildfires, 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 Sept. 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”.

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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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