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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Political religion -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill.
In search of Jacob Marley -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
It's quite a few weeks before Christmas, but this Sunday's sermon may evoke a pivotal
Lessons from the edge -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2007
Years ago, we took a trip to Chicago and whizzed up the super-fast elevators of the Sears
The mountains of God -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
Mountains occupy a strong place in our imaginations.
Christianity, the basic course -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19, Psalm 66:1-12 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2007
A survey of Christian education resources reveals a trend toward an increasing number of
Hard to swallow -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, Psalm 32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2007
We are ambassadors for Christ. Well, how does it feel to have yourself sworn in and
What's in your attic? -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Psalm 51:1-17 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
A now-famous credit card company advertisement asks, "What's in your wallet?" The
The easiest way to lose -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8, Psalm 119:97-104 -- David Kalas -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2007
Most televised sporting events now feature some pre-game analysis by the commentators.
When the past gets in the way -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8, Psalm 126 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2007
Sports fans know that certain players need to have short memories. The closer coming
Telling the whole story -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11, Psalm 32 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Oscar Wilde penned a powerful story about justice called The Picture of Dorian
Keep looking up -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 65 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2007
In my childhood home, there was a wall plaque, unadorned except for three words: "Keep
The tipping point -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2007
In his book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell shows how some events and
Father of a multitude -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 121 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Both the Old Testament and New Testament lections this week prominently feature the
The twilight zone -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31, Psalm 149 -- All Saints Day - C -- 2007
Many will remember the television series, Twilight Zone, that aired in
It's time -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2007
In each of the scriptures assigned for Maundy Thursday there is a near obsession with
Turning things upside down -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42, Psalm 95 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
If you are like me, you come from an educational background that basically emphasized
Encouragement -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
Alan Loy McGinnis told of a woman who was honored by her company for outstanding
The people nearby -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - C -- 2007
You know the experience of showing photographs to someone who was not part of the
A bright forecast -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- David Kalas -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
Primitive people, even more than we, were at the mercy of the weather. They were
What's new? -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Psalm 98 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2007
Life can be quite onerous depending on the answer given to this question. Many of
More than sitteth -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19, Psalm 30 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2007
Ask folks to conjure up a picture of Jesus' birth, and many vivid images will no doubt
The secret of a perfect Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35, Psalm 100 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2007
Mehmed II was the great Ottoman conqueror who captured Constantinople in 1453.
An eye for the miraculous -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30, Psalm 23 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2007
Miracles and faith have long traveled together. A couple once told me that they were
A week to preach up -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43, Luke 1:68-79 -- David Kalas -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2007
I was still just a boy when I felt my call to the ministry. At the time, my father gave me a
The end or the beginning? -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2007
What does it feel like for you and your congregation this Sunday after Easter? I suspect

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Don't get caught up in times... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
Don't get caught up in times and dates.
Christian Richter (1676-1711)... -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Ron Love -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
Christian Richter (1676-1711) saw one steeple but many denominational expressions.
Americans do not have... -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
Americans do not have a good sense of priorities.
Sermon Illustrations for Christ The King (Proper 29) (2014) -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Ezekiel illustrates spiritual... -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Ezekiel illustrates spiritual leaders as shepherds leading sheep.
Sheepherding has changed... -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Bob Ove -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Sheepherding has changed.
The exalted Christ the King... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
The exalted Christ the King fills all in all.
Cecil De Mille learned... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Cecil De Mille learned in June 1958 that the plans to place translations of the hieroglyphics on the
Jesus must be with us... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Bob Ove -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Jesus must be with us right now wherever we are here on earth, but we don't recognize him.
Oystein Brinch of Oslo, Norway... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Oystein Brinch of Oslo, Norway, wrote a devotional for the Upper Room on May 18, 2014.
Sermon Illustrations for Thanksgiving Day (2014) -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
Deuteronomy 8:7-18
Success has a way of making... -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
Success has a way of making you too big for your britches.
Alfred Hitchcock was recognized... -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18 -- Ron Love -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
Alfred Hitchcock was recognized in the film industry as a director whose movies typically progressed
William Law is credited with... -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
William Law is credited with saying that the greatest saint in the world is not the person who prays
Shouldn't Thanksgiving be a... -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Bob Ove -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
Shouldn't Thanksgiving be a happy time?
We get so turned off by... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
We get so turned off by a lack of gratitude in most people. We just have to live with it.
Cecil B. DeMille produced... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Ron Love -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
Cecil B. DeMille produced more than seventy major motion pictures during the course of his career.
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2014) -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Isaiah 64:1-9
The lesson refers to the... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
The lesson refers to the precariousness of life and the fact that no one calls on God's name.
In the comic strip... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
In the comic strip Frank & Ernest by Bob Thaves, we have Frank and Ernie sitting all rump
Paul writes to the Corinthians... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Paul writes to the Corinthians to encourage them to discover their God-given potential.
Don't we wish that... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Don't we wish that were true of all confirmands!
When Pope Francis visited... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
When Pope Francis visited South Korea in August 2014 he made his strongest gesture yet to reach out
Jesus reminds us that we... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Jesus reminds us that we do not have a moment to waste, we need to be prepared.
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2014) -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Isaiah 40:1-11

Political Pulpit

Sermon

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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