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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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
Forfeiting to win -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2010
Our youngest daughter was born in Nigeria while I was teaching at the Reformed Theological College i

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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.
No one who loves life wants to... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2014
No one who loves life wants to die.

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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