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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Living on the edge of eternity -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
We in the industrialized west of the twenty-first century have achieved a remarkable security.
"Up" is not the only heavenly direction -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2001
Annual meetings, whether for a business corporation, a nonprofit agency, or a local congregation, us
Seeing and believing -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C -- 2001
We live in a very visual world!
The death pax -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31, Psalm 149 -- All Saints Day - C -- 2001
As a part of President Bush's budget and tax proposals, Congress will soon be debating the relative
Life with attitude -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2001
We live in an ever-coarsening culture.
Rock-solid change -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
As the end of the old year draws near, and as the dawn of a new year begins to break, we think about
Unity in Christ -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2001
What unites us as a country? The political campaigns are over for now.
Called and sent by God -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2001
Career Day at school is always an exciting time for children.
Problems, promises, and prayer -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
"Wherever two or three are gathered together, there are bound to be four opinions." Whenever humans
Faith for the world that is -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2001
Who would not want the power of telekinesis? Obstacle in the way? Remove it with a thought.
One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2001
Christians are "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians 4:1).
Always wanting more -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
With Augustine we can affirm that pride is the fundamental sin and concupiscence is its fundamental
The gift of receiving -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), Psalm 98, John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore.
My beloved -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2001
Do we ever get enough love? Probably not.
Dutiful servants of all -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-7, 31b-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2001
Do we ever really get together anymore? Think about it.
A new connection -- Hosea 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Mark 2:13-22 -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2000
As a very young and inexperienced pastor (many years ago), Bob made a terrible mistake.
See? Believe? -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2000
The incarnation is the heart of Christianity.
Little things count -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2000
As our universe becomes larger (ala the Hubble telescope), our interests can become smaller.
Promises, promises! -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2000
When we say to another, "Promises, promises," it usually means that we don't trust the other to do w
Words -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2000
The little boy's parents persistently call him stupid, and he drops out of high school his first yea
Fresh hope -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
As we enter into the last week of the year, it is customary for the media to recap the highlights of
Roots -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2000
Years ago many of us were enthralled with Alex Haley's story, Roots.
The right stuff -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2000
The movie by the same name added this expression to our vocabulary -- "the right stuff." It refers t
Follow-through -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2000
As we write this column, we are trying to sneak in as much time as possible to watch the tennis matc
Tunnels -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2000
Your authors love the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon illustrations for Easter 5 (2013) -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 11:1-18
NULL -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There is a pastor in a large U.S. city who leads an eclectic Christian community.
NULL -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There is a lesson in this passage for all denominations.
NULL -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
To behold the New Jerusalem is to see life on earth differently.
NULL -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Ron Love -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
John Adams, the second president of the United States, told his son Johnny (who would become the six
NULL -- John 13:31-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
From Mother Teresa we hear these words exalting the command to love: "[God] cannot command the impos
NULL -- John 13:31-35 -- Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
I thought Jesus was always glorified, but it seems here as though the Father glorified him "at once,
Sermon illustrations for Easter 6 (2013) -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, John 14:23-29 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 16:9-15
NULL -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Ron Love -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
In 1776 when John Adams, who became the second president of the United States, was away from home be
NULL -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Lydia was an outsider in Paul's world -- a Gentile woman.
NULL -- Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5 -- Bob Ove -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The Holy City, Jerusalem, can signify where all of God's people will live.
NULL -- Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The writer of Revelation has a vision of Jerusalem that does not necessarily coincide with the reali
NULL -- John 14:23-29 -- Ron Love -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The Immaculate Conception is taken as fact in the gospels, and how the Virgin Mary could conceive a
NULL -- John 14:23-29 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
We need to be careful about the proper relationship between loving God and being loved by him (vv.
Sermon illustrations for Easter 7 (2013) -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 16:16-34
NULL -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Ron Love -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
At the age of 17, Dwight Lyman Moody went to Boston to work as a shoe salesman in his uncle's store.
NULL -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Americans think they are good and decent people, worthy of salvation by their lifestyle.
NULL -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Bob Ove -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
We wonder, as have Christians throughout the ages, what does Jesus mean by "soon"?
NULL -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The planet Venus is called the Morning Star and also the Evening Star.
NULL -- John 17:20-26 -- Ron Love -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There's a poignant scene in the movie Driving Miss Daisy that ought to stir everyone's consci
NULL -- John 17:20-26 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Jesus prays for unity. Unity is good for human beings.
Sermon illustrations for Day of Pentecost (2013) -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2013
Acts 2:1-21
Fire is an interesting image... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2013
Fire is an interesting image with which to describe the effect of the Holy Spirit upon those who fol
Wow!... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Bob Ove -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2013
Wow! Wouldn't you like to live then to see all those miracles?
Times are tough for the Holy Spirit among mainline Protestants... -- Romans 8:14-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2013
Times are tough for the Holy Spirit among mainline Protestants.

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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