Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Water quality -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2000
We once lived in a parsonage that was supplied with water from a well on the property.
All in the family -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2000
Myrna and Robert Kysar are the co-authors of "Charting The Course." Myrna is pastor of Christ Lut
Wonder-filled -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2000
What will be special about Christmas this year? What will be the same about Christmas this year?
Christ conquers death -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2000
[Rev. Dr. Mark J.
Authority -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2000
What's become of authority?
Believing the unbelievable -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2000
If baptism is where we begin our Lenten journey, the next step of that journey is surely faith.
Community -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2000
What's your favorite metaphor for the Trinity?
Preparing for the kingdom -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20(15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2000
It is not easy passing on the faith.
Jolts of joy -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2000
It was a most pleasant and unexpected jolt.
Urgency -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2000
It's fair to say that any sense of urgency about their faith is missing among a good many contempora
Seeking aid -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2000
Like the stereotypical North American man, Bob is hesitant to stop and ask for directions.
Playing favorites -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2000
Many of us know the feeling of being excluded or unwanted by another who plays favorites.
Surprise endings -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2000
Most of us enjoy a surprise ending to a story.
A new name -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2000
(Myrna and Robert Kysar are the co-authors of "Charting The Course." Myrna is pastor of Christ Luthe
Come away -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2000
Myrna and Robert Kysar are the co-authors of "Charting The Course." Myrna is pastor of Christ Luther
Voiding sin -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2000
(Myrna and Robert Kysar are the co-authors of "Charting The Course." Myrna is pastor of Christ Luthe
Where's the glory? -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2000
(Myrna and Robert Kysar are the co-authors of "Charting The Course." Myrna is pastor of Christ Luthe
Number one -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2000
North Americans seem infatuated with being number one.
Yes! -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2000
A few months ago there were two different television commercials that both had to do with a fellow t
Abundant Love -- Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2000
One of the fundamental characteristics of human development is inquisitiveness.
Supper -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2000
The evening meal, supper, is often the most important of the daily meals.
Allegiance to Jesus -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2000
America has an identity crisis. Ever since 1947, when the Supreme Court ruled on Everson v.
Accountability -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1999
Our lessons for this day are not very pleasant ones. There are no warm fuzzies to be had here.
When losers become winners -- Jeremiah 15:15-21, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1999
Our society is like most other societies in the history of the world.
The wide-angled lens of faith -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1999
Our vacation to Arizona elicited a continuing expression of awe and wonder at the exquisite scenery

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The odds were... -- 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2013
The odds were against him. Four hundred and fifty to one!
Though the Seventh-Day Adventists... -- Galatians 1:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2013
Though the Seventh-Day Adventists have a strong and uncompromising belief in Jesus, many consider th
Comedian Stephen Wright... -- Galatians 1:1-12 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2013
Comedian Stephen Wright once claimed to have found the original axe that George Washington used to c
Our text is all about... -- Galatians 1:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2013
Our text is all about the fleeting character of human approval, how it all pales compared to God's w
In recent times... -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2013
In recent times during our ailing economy there has been an advertisement from an investment firm, p
A centurion was a Roman... -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2013
A centurion was a Roman, a hated outsider, but some tried to be friends and get along with those he
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 5 | OT 10 (2013) -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)
The Gentile widow had nothing... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
The Gentile widow had nothing to give Elijah, and yet he healed her child.
You can run out of gas... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
You can run out of gas. You can run out of food. You can run out of money.
Susan Jacoby wrote an editorial... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) -- Ron Love -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
Susan Jacoby wrote an editorial for the New York Times in which she pointed out the falsehood
Without credentials it is hard... -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
Without credentials it is hard to get a job.
It is so easy... -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
It is so easy coming out of seminary to bring to our people a message that our professors made up.
Commenting on this story... -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
Commenting on this story of the resurrection of the widow's son of Nain, Martin Luther praised it as
People sometimes worry... -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
People sometimes worry about the end of the world, but the truth is that the world ends all the time
In 1844 a group... -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Ron Love -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
In 1844 a group of 50,000 followers expected the immediate return of Jesus.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 6 | OT 11 (2013) -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a
Here is one of the many... -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
Here is one of the many crime scenes in the Bible.
It sounds like modern... -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a -- Bob Ove -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
It sounds like modern politics!
Matt Damon is a devoted... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
Matt Damon is a devoted husband and father. He dislikes being away from home and from his family.
Ask anyone what the meaning... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
Ask anyone what the meaning of life is, and it's a pretty safe bet that their answer will start with
John Wesley nicely explained... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
John Wesley nicely explained why we do not need the law because Christ lives in us: ...[Christ has b
Jesus ate with anyone... -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
Jesus ate with anyone, Democrat or Republican, sinners or righteous (self-righteous?), rich or poor.
It is often overlooked... -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
It is often overlooked and not talked much about how Jesus and the disciples were able to go about t
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2013) -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
It could sound like Elisha... -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
It could sound like Elisha was being tested.

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, wild fires, 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 September 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.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL