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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The picture Bible -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), Psalm 99 -- David Kalas -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Big events in our culture are generally accompanied by much picture taking.
Love that hurts -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Psalm 51:1-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
The story is told of a young girl whose very best friend lived just down the street. They
Getting started on the right foot -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
We now set sail for Jerusalem, the events of holy week, and the hope of Easter morning.
What's carved above your church door? -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2006
There is a certain irony here as we approach the Sunday before Labor Day and the
Practically Christian -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37, Psalm 125 -- David Kalas -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2006
I parked next to a car yesterday that looked like a bit of a junker. It was pretty banged up
Hindsight, foresight, and insight -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38, Psalm 19 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2006
A boy in first grade came home from school and told his mother that his class had had a
Any questions -- show of hands -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37, Psalm 1 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2006
"Any questions?" The words hang in the air at the end of the teacher's lecture as the
Public enemy -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50, Psalm 124 -- David Kalas -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
If only he had understood his real enemy.
Defining moments -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16, Psalm 26 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
There are many benefits to pastoral ministry. We are invited to share with people their
Going public -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31, Psalm 22:1-15 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Each of these texts sends us into a different sector of our lives and asks us to
The face at the center of history -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
My friend is an agnostic. He grew up in a Christian family where church participation
Do you really want to be in that number? -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44, Psalm 24 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
I have to admit that Monty Python's Flying Circus is an acquired taste. Yet,
Values clarification -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34, Psalm 146 -- David Kalas -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
Sometimes in conversation with friends, we will amuse ourselves -- or torment ourselves
Acts of consecration -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44, Psalm 127 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
While one of our daughters was serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana, she was
Propping up or opening up -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
It is never a good place to be when you feel that you are loosing it. When clearly marked
He doth provide -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33, Psalm 126 -- David Kalas -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
Henry Alford's familiar hymn, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come," so often sung at this
Majesty -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Several generations ago, King George and Queen Elizabeth went to a London theater to
That'll be the day -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36, Psalm 25:1-10 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Approaching Advent and Christmas, it feels like the ante has been upped, the stakes have
Hitting out of the rough -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b -- David Kalas -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2005
Note: This installment was originally published in 2005.
The long and winding road -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
The "journey" is a favorite image for spiritual growth. It fits the subject in so many ways.
Returning from exile -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2004
Recent biblical scholarship has placed tremendous emphasis on the ways that the scriptural tradition
Can I get a witness? -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
I was in a most meaningful worship not long ago. The singing was wondrous.
Happily ever after? -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22) -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
I went to the movie About Schmidt really expecting to enjoy it. I like Jack Nicholson a lot.
While you wait -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36, Psalm 25:1-10 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
What is the relationship between waiting and probability?
The Christmas visitor -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2003
If some visitor from another part of the universe came to Earth during the Christmas season, I wonde

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The grace of God has... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
The grace of God has appeared to all men but not all men (people) can see him.
Abraham Lincoln was in his... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
Abraham Lincoln was in his darkest hours prior to the 1864 election.
In a Christmas sermon... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
In a Christmas sermon Martin Luther nicely explained the implications of Christ's nativity for the w
When the University Medical... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
When the University Medical Center of Princeton was ready to construct a new building in 2014, the m
Sermon Illustrations for New Year's Day (2015) -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2014
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
The Byrds were inspired... -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2014
The Byrds were inspired by this text as they sang "To everything, turn, turn, turn, there is a seaso
Elisabeth Moss, who plays... -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Ron Love -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2014
Elisabeth Moss, who plays hardworking advertising copywriter Peggy Olson, on the television show
I am not a fan of camping... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Derl G. Keefer -- New Year's Day - B -- 2014
I am not a fan of camping!
We must be careful not... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - B -- 2014
We must be careful not to take this passage too literally.
Roger Cohen wrote an article... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Ron Love -- New Year's Day - B -- 2014
Roger Cohen wrote an article for the New York Times in which he discussed that as a child he
Over 46 million Americans... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - B -- 2014
Over 46 million Americans live in poverty.
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 2 (2015) -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
Jeremiah 31:7-14
How many times has that... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
How many times has that been sung by the Israelites?
The prophet Jeremiah tells... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
The prophet Jeremiah tells the people of Israel that their mourning will be turned to gladness and g
When a little girl's letter... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
When a little girl's letter to Legos went viral asking why the company did not have a line of toys f
Predestination: This is nothing... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
Predestination: This is nothing more than saying that God's love is a little like that of a Father l
John tells us that Jesus... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
John tells us that Jesus is the word who became flesh. He is God incarnate.
The word was Jesus... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
The word was Jesus. He was with God in the beginning and he was God. There is only one God.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of Our Lord (2015) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
Isaiah 60:1-6
We need light in the midst... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
We need light in the midst of our darkness our lesson proclaims.
When Dr. Kent Brantly was... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
When Dr.
This is Paul writing to the church... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
This is Paul writing to the church at Ephesus that Christ brings freedom and confidence to all who w
How many I knew in Nepal... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
How many I knew in Nepal who were prisoners because of Jesus.
James Foley was the American... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
James Foley was the American journalist from Rochester, New Hampshire, who was kidnapped on Thanksgi
Epiphany continues the celebration... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
Epiphany continues the celebration of Christmas.

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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