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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

On the other side -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
When our children were younger, I would often wash their feet for them when they came inside from pl
Loving, sight unseen -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31, Psalm 16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Recently a friend told me the story of his move to our community.
What's so good about Good Friday? -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
One of my favorite movies of all time is the 1956 classic titled Twelve Angry Men featuring a
Homecoming -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Ian Maclaren tells the story of a young woman in his book Beside the Bonnie Briar Bush.
Live it and they will come -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Psalm 23 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Remember the movie, Field of Dreams?
A new us-them mentality -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
You see it in every area of life. It's abundantly true in politics and sports.
Idol-rife -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21, Psalm 66:8-20 -- William H. Shepherd, Schuyler Rhodes -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells t
Game plan -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 47 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2011
During the 1978 British firefighters strike, the army was enlisted to cover emergency services.
Glory in the cross -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Constantine Caesar was advancing his legions through the northern Italian mountains toward Rome.
Life in the waiting lane -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
According to a study released in May, the average annual traffic delay per person, nationwide in 199
How can the dead testify? -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30, Psalm 23 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
We have an affair with death that ranges from fascination to revulsion.
Of beginnings and endings -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 12 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2010
Something old, something new -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35, Psalm 148 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
Human beings have an interesting relationship to old and new.
Grown-up gratitude -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35, Psalm 100 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2010
Every parent has been through it. As your child gets bigger and
The road ahead -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, John 14:23-29, Psalm 67 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
When the Danish novelist, George Brandes, was a young man, he looked up to Henrik Ibsen.
Politics and religion -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43, Luke 1:68-79 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2010
Once King George and Queen Elizabeth went to a London theater to see a Noel Coward/Gertrude Lawrence
Hope for tomorrow -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 47 -- Gary Thompson, Schuyler Rhodes -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2010
The book of Acts is Luke's second volume, continuing the story from his gospel.
Learning to tell time -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
The pop-rock band Chicago famously sang, "Does anybody really
Table to table -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26, Psalm 97 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
We have a table in our home that goes way back.
The peaceable kingdom -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
What difference does my life make for others around me?
No Fear -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
A woman struggling through the difficulties of the Great Depression went to the front desk of an ins
Signs of hope, signs in life -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Perhaps it's time for the annual rant about the commercialization of Christmas, and the incredibly e
Knowing our limits -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15, Psalm 8 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2010
During the years when Jesus was passing his childhood in Palestine, the Latin poet, Ovid, was writin
Good news, better news, best news -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
The apostle Paul begins his letter to the Romans by identifying himself as one who was "set apart fo
The gospel frame by frame -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, Psalm 32 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2010
Let the movie play at full speed through the first half.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

If you were to draw... -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2014
If you were to draw a line on a whiteboard, right down the middle from top to bottom, and then draw
Growing the Kingdom of... -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2014
Growing the Kingdom of God and our churches does not come easy.
Corrie ten Boom was... -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Ron Love -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2014
Corrie ten Boom was transferred to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 (2014) -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
Genesis 32:22-31
Jacob is in hot water... -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
Jacob is in hot water!
Jacob had two wives... -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
Jacob had two wives, which can be a problem for those who follow scripture literally.
It is said that the... -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
It is said that the story of Jacob wrestling with God on the banks of the Jabbok River was one of Ma
Though anti-Semitism has... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
Though anti-Semitism has been on the wane in recent years in America, a 2011 poll by the anti-Defama
The term "Protestant"... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Ron Love -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
The term "Protestant" was first used at the Second Diet of Speyer on April 20, 1529.
In this scripture... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
In this scripture Matthew paints the picture of a Christ who needed solitude after hearing of the de
What a message of... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
What a message of compassion! If we are sick he will heal us. If we are hungry, he will feed us.
Most of the time we... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
Most of the time we mess up the math. We don't include everything. We quit counting too soon.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 (2014) -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte, Bob Ove, Derl Keffer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
The lesson recounts Joseph... -- Genesis 27:1-4, 12-28 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
The lesson recounts Joseph being sold into slavery, the beginning of Israel's slavery in Egypt.
Reverend Dudley Tyng was... -- Genesis 27:1-4, 12-28 -- Ron Love -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
Reverend Dudley Tyng was an Episcopal priest serving a church in Philadelphia.
We write letters and emails... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
We write letters and emails, editorials and blogs. We tweet and we message and we text.
Saving faith comes through... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
Saving faith comes through our invitation for Christ to forgive us of our sins.
There are two ways people... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
There are two ways people think you come to God.
I don't think it's a stretch... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Ron Love -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
I don't think it's a stretch to say that the western world is enamored with Pope Francis.
Saint Augustine claims... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
Saint Augustine claims that this text is a lesson in humility.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 (2014) -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Derl G. Keefer, Scott A. Bryte, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Genesis 45:1-15
How can God bring good... -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
How can God bring good out of evil? What the brothers did to Joseph was still wrong but
Facebook is a good place... -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Facebook is a good place to see it. People cross paths in ways you'd never expect. It's no
Before Joseph was second... -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Before Joseph was second in command under Pharaoh, he was a prisoner in a dark, dirty
Thascius Cyprian, born into... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Ron Love -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Thascius Cyprian, born into a well-educated family that afforded him the same opportunity,

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Ascension of the Lord
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Pentecost
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

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A job description. I have attached a sample you can use if you wish. I have highlighted a few of the items that might be good to use as examples during the message, but feel free to pick the ones you want to use.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
For June 8, 2025:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
    may the Lord rejoice in his works—
 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
    who touches the mountains and they smoke.
 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praise to my God while I have being. (vv. 31-33)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
An older couple is given an eight-month eviction notice to leave their residence. They are living on a fixed income. After exploring an advertised senior living community in the next county, the news is grim. They cannot afford to live in such a community despite the extravagant advertising publicity they saw about amenities and community recreation on television. Both the man and woman have worked many jobs for decades with small pensions, lower wages in a roller coaster job market for a couple decades. The man calls a small-town pastor in the area.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Genesis 11:1-9

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

On the day of Pentecost, six weeks after Jesus had risen from death, when the disciples were gathered together in one place, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. As we gather together on the day of Pentecost, let us ask God that we too might be filled with his Holy Spirit.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, forgive us our sins and fill us with your Holy Spirit. Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, forgive us our apathy and fill us with your Holy Spirit. Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
Today is Pentecost. The creative power of God's Spirit (v. 30) flows today like no other day. The Spirit that is poured out on this day is the same Spirit that hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2) at the dawn of creation. This is the same Spirit that possessed Gideon as he lifted up his horn (Judges 6:4). And it is the same Spirit that the risen Jesus told us would arrive as an advocate to accompany us (John 14:16) forever.
John Jamison
It wasn't their first fight. Like most fathers and sons they had their disagreements. But this time, something was different. A line had been crossed that had never been crossed before. They sat there, staring at each other, both realizing they were in new territory, neither of them sure that they really wanted to be there.

David R. Cartwright
That first Pentecost was a grand and glorious day. It was a new beginning. On that special day, God's people were reborn through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It was an extraordinary event.

Robert Leslie Holmes
A seminary student writing a term paper about confession of sin started to type, "When we confess, Christ takes away our guilt." However, he was a bit thick-fingered and hit the letter q instead of the letter g on his computer keyboard. Now his sentence read, "Christ takes away our quilt." He didn't notice his error but his professor did and wrote in the margin, "Fear not, little one, you'll not freeze for God has given us a Comforter!" Using his keen wit, the professor conveyed a profound spiritual truth that is at the heart of Pentecost. God has given us a Comforter.
Alex A. Gondola, Jr.
There's an old story about a man who found a pig. It seems that as this man was driving into the city in his station wagon, a stray hog suddenly ran out in front of him. The man stopped the car, jumped out, caught the pig, and put it in the back. Not knowing what to do with the animal, he flagged down the first policeman he saw, explained the situation and asked, "What should I do with this hog?"

"Take him to the zoo," was the officer's response.

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