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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Trivial pursuit -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8 -- Gary Thompson, Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2010
Have you ever played the game Trivial Pursuit? Millions of people have.
The surprise of Baby Grace -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Psalm 96 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2010
And so it comes to this: After days of cooking and baking, planning and preparing, buying and wrappi
Distinguishing features -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17, Psalm 146 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2010
When our people hear these three passages read during our worship services this Sunday, they will se
In praise of praise -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
Our English word "carol" emerged from the public celebrations of late Medieval France.
By their fruits -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3, Psalm 5:1-8 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2010
Margaret Mead, the world-renowned anthropologist, was speaking at a university and one student asked
On Christ the solid rock I stand -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Psalm 147:12-20 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2010
Edward Mote was a Baptist pastor in nineteenth-century England, serving for 26 years at Horshem in S
Out of the dark; into the light -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Gary Thompson, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
Our story from 1 Kings relates what happened immediately after Elijah had his famous showdown with p
The glory of God -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2010
These are the longest hours of darkness.
Now departing -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2010
I'm sure you've heard it many times, just as I have.
Here comes Jesus -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17, Psalm 29 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2010
It was a new gospel hit when I was a teen, with words taken from a classic spiritual out of mind and
What you sow ... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, Psalm 30 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2010
One of my favorite farming tales is of a pastor in a rural congregation who was tired of hearing peo
Becoming what we were meant to be -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42, Psalm 40:1-11 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2010
Mine is a family of book lovers.
Group picture -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2010
I was in the home of a church member the other day where I saw a marvelous family portrait.
Why we do the things we do -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 82 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2010
Shortly after their conversion to Christianity years ago, friends of mine were looking for a new car
Fools for Christ or just plain fools? -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12, Psalm 15 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2010
In 1993 brothers Tom and David Gardner began a financial information service they named The Motley F
Unspeakable famine -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 52 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
During some of the years that I was doing youth ministry, my wife was providing child care for sever
Internal medicine -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2010
Some years ago Europa Times carried a story in which Mussa Zoabi of Israel claimed to be the
Family ties -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13, Psalm 85 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2010
Channing Pollack used to tell a devastating tale of something that happened to him as a young boy.
Heart condition -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37, Psalm 119:1-8 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2010
As a middle-aged man, I am forced to be conscious of my heart health.
The dangers of idolatry -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Gary Thompson, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2010
Idolatry comes in many forms. An idol is, of course, anything we put before God.
Tall order -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48, Psalm 119:33-40 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2010
Basketball fans who are thirty years old or older will remember watching Michael Jordan at his prime
The faith to let go -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2010
Two of my children are still rather young, and so they remain for me live-in examples of childlike f
The worry test -- Isaiah 49:8-16a, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34, Psalm 131 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2010
For a time, many years ago, the most popular song around the world was Bobbie McFarrin's little tune
Sober reflections -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
My memories of my great-grandmother Bolt are very vague.
Living under the tree -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2010
We're still several months from Christmas, but I have a Christmas scene on my mind going into this w

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Paul's point is that we... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Paul's point is that we Gentiles have been grafted into the tree that is Judaism. We are
William Barclay commented... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
William Barclay commented that the significance of this passage is that it "foreshadows
Aren't we like Peter... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Aren't we like Peter in some ways? We have to have Jesus' parables explained to us. That
There aren't patterns to... -- Matthew 15:10-20, 21-28 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
There aren't patterns to make hand-me-down clothes. You can't go to a factory somewhere
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2014) -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
Exodus 1:8--2:10
Avvakum was the founder... -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Ron Love -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
Avvakum was the founder of what became known as Russia's Old Believers.
John Lennon said... -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're making all your plans." Who would have t
Anatomy is the study... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
Anatomy is the study of what the parts are.
The greatest gift you can... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
The greatest gift you can give God is yourself.
I have a friend named... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
I have a friend named Jim.
Jesus conferred on Peter... -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
Jesus conferred on Peter and the church the power of the keys, the authority to forgive sins in God'
In 1869 at the London... -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
In 1869 at the London Metaphysical Society, Thomas Huxley first used the word "agnostic." Huxley ref
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
Exodus 3:1-15
Our Daily Bread carried... -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
Our Daily Bread carried an illustration about a dying elderly Christian man.
Horeb is actually Sinai... -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
Horeb is actually Sinai. It is called God's mountain.
We live in an era in which... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
We live in an era in which America is becoming increasingly divided by class differences and judgmen
The Catholic Apostolic church... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
The Catholic Apostolic church movement officially began in 1831 in England and quickly spread to the
How hard it must have been... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
How hard it must have been for our Lord to know the horrible agony that awaited him.
William Barclay writes that... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
William Barclay writes that one of the early interpretations of this section is from the Christian t
We use nicknames for... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
We use nicknames for many reasons.
You have to show a photo... -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
You have to show a photo ID to go into a warehouse of a store and buy overgrown cans of peaches.
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2014
Exodus 14:19-31
How would we feel if there... -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2014
How would we feel if there were two walls of water on either side of us, and a whole army chasing af
When our children were small... -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2014
When our children were small and a fierce thunderstorm rained down its thunder and lightning, they w
The religion of Hinduism understands... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2014
The religion of Hinduism understands the entrapment of living a self-centered life.

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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

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For June 8, 2025:

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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
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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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