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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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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?
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
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
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.
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
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.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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,
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

Political Pulpit

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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, 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”.

* * *

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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