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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Goal-oriented prayer and preaching -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
People have been known to listen to profound preaching of the biblical message and come out of churc
The ways of God -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1999
People tend to say in times of personal or community disaster, "God works in mysterious ways." The p
About the Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1999
Perhaps it is inevitable that as Christians we focus on the second article of the Apostles' Creed so
A way to the future -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Advent shifts our attention to the future.
Church and world -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
Perhaps no issues are more difficult in Christian preaching and teaching than the relationship of th
Time for celebration -- Zechariah 9:9-12, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1999
As we join our fellow citizens to celebrate the 223rd birthday of our country, we also join our sist
On sowing the word -- Isaiah 55:10-13, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1999
Perhaps the most humbling and, at the same time, thrilling moments of the liturgy occur for me when
Our need for God and for one another -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1999
Conducting a workshop for a statewide gathering of Ph.D.s in psychology, my colleague and I asked th
The servant king -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1999
Perhaps we lose the punch of the imagery of "servant" in the Bible when we in our day view on cable
A breath of fresh air -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
Fresh air is precisely what many people feel they never get in church.
On not loving a wall -- Isaiah 56:1, 6-8, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
Robert Frost begins his poem called "Mending Wall" with the line "Something there is that doesn't lo
Guess who's coming to dinner -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1999
God's gracious invitations to people have always ruffled the feathers of those who would rather have
If you are the children of God -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
Some stories from the Bible sound strange, disconnected from our lives and our frames of reference.
Mountaintop experiences -- Exodus 24:12-18, Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1999
I can't begin to enumerate the number of times I have attended a retreat somewhere off in a secluded
The trouble with religion -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1999
Speaking out against religion is as popular as ridiculing the American flag, motherhood, and apple p
Coloring outside the lines -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
(Dr. Foster R. McCurley has had a distinguished career as St.
Tuning the engine -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 1999
Thanksgiving is a strange celebration. On the one hand, it is a national holiday.
What is our place in the world? -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
[Dr. Foster R. McCurley has had a distinguished career as St.
Seeing is not believing -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
The connection between sight and belief in Christianity is as old as the insistence of Thomas to see
Community! Community! Community! -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1999
(Dr. Foster R. McCurley has had a distinguished career as St.
Who's in charge here? -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1999
The eschatological quality of the lessons for Proper 28 continues this Sunday.
What's to become of us? -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - A -- 1999
(Myrna and Robert Kysar are the co-authors of "Charting The Course." Myrna is pastor of Christ Lu
Identity and function -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1999
In discussions of modern architecture we often hear the expression that form follows function.
Loving God with our minds -- 1 Kings 3:5-12, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1999
The first great commandment that we should "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all
The world's a stage -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1999
In his play As You Like It William Shakespeare wrote those familiar words: "All the world's a

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Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Halo Nation is a video game... -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Halo Nation is a video game franchise that has as a basis for its storyline a responsibility
The freedom that Paul... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
The freedom that Paul describes in this text is a word we need badly in America today, as according
Don't run in the house... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Don't run in the house. Don't chew with your mouth open. Don't drive through a red light.
Ryan Fry has more than... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Ryan Fry has more than 250 poisonous lizards and snakes in his yard in Australia.
Luke includes a number... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Luke includes a number of stories of Jesus' last week that no other gospels contain.
Farmers know that you do not... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Farmers know that you do not look back when you are plowing the field.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 9 | OT 14 (2013) -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Scott A. Bryte, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
2 Kings 5:1-14
Many people are getting tattoos... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
Many people are getting tattoos to express their Christian faith.
This story reveals that we... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
This story reveals that we find faith in unexpected places, including in Naaman, the army commander
It's an odd thing to ride... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
It's an odd thing to ride in an electric car. There is essentially no noise. There's no vibration.
Reaping what you sow... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
Reaping what you sow is a metaphor that comes from the fields.
No, we are no longer bound... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
No, we are no longer bound by the law, but the law shows us that we have messed up!
In Latin the word "pastor"... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
In Latin the word "pastor" means "shepherd." It came from the same base that produced pascere
What if those vacation resorts... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
What if those vacation resorts that claim to include everything actually included everything?
In our gospel, Jesus would... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
In our gospel, Jesus would have those he sends out to do mission to tread on snakes and overcome all
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2013) -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
A builder uses a plumb line to determine true vertical from the gravitational center of the earth, n
A builder uses a plumb line... -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
A builder uses a plumb line to determine true vertical from the gravitational center of the earth, n
Even though the Lord is merciful... -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
Even though the Lord is merciful and loving, He still has his exact requirements for us.
The Human Genome Project... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
The Human Genome Project, which mapped all the various combinations of human genes, teaches us that
Gregg Marshall is the basketball... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
Gregg Marshall is the basketball coach for the Wichita State Shockers.
The dog comes whining to you... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
The dog comes whining to you in the middle of the night, requesting to be let outside.
Even every confirmand... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
Even every confirmand could probably quote this passage or a list of other passages that he might be
There are four different paradigms... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
There are four different paradigms functioning on the path to Jericho.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2013) -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2013
Amos 8:1-12
As United States troops... -- Amos 8:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2013
As United States troops were pulling out of Afghanistan, the Taliban continued its insurgency operat

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In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
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Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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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, 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.

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