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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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.
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?
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.
God's greatness (and ours) -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2003
When my son was in middle school he was assigned to make a timeline poster of the history of ancient
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
Spirit-person -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2003
Who could have imagined that the top-grossing movie of the past year in America would be Spider-Man.

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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.
Sermon Illustrations for Baptism of Our Lord (2015) -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Genesis 1:1-5
Just like the creation narrative... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Just like the creation narrative tells of the beginning of life so baptism is the symbol of God's be

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
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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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