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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

What a difference the day makes -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1998
Available at most video stores is a movie called Places of the Heart.
Judgment and forgiveness -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 1998
The concept of "judgment" is almost universally viewed as negative today, though the term itself is
Filled with the Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1998
Christians did not start the day of Pentecost.
Remembrance -- Exodus 12:1-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 1998
The emphasis for today is on meals, which are very prominent throughout the Cycle C lectionary.
Waiters wanted -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Christmas, it would appear has arrived. At least by all the standards of the marketplace.
The unification of humanity -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 1998
The English word "epiphany" derives from the Greek epiphaneia, which means "appearance" or "appearin
The today show -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1998
Every morning as I prepare to leave the house, I have one eye keyed in on what I need to get done in
A new identity -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 1998
The first lesson and the Gospel speak of the new vocation that comes to people who encounter the ris
The grateful dead -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- All Saints Day - C -- 1998
(Dr. Foster R. McCurley has had a distinguished career as St.
Freedom -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 1998
If we had walked the streets of, say, Richmond, Virginia (or Philadelphia, or any number of other co
God's initiative -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 1998
The First Reading for today is a bit hard to take -- few biblical passages are so apparently void of
Life beyond life -- 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 -- 1998
In Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, Alice encounters a sleeping giant.
Life in the Spirit -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, Acts 16:9-15 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1998
The focus in the first and third lessons for today is on the Holy Spirit, who guides and directs the
There is more beyond -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C -- 1998
In the fifteenth century, King Philip of Spain stamped his coins with the motto, "Ne Plus Ultra" --
Gratitude to God -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 1998
The Gospel Lesson for today strongly urges a theme of thanksgiving, specifically of grateful acknowl
Seeing and hearing -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
In the midst of our Advent distinctions between vision and sight, this Sunday's pericopes seem to me
Lamb of God -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C -- 1998
The Manual on the Liturgy that accompanies the Lutheran Book of Worship warns us about
Vulnerable Savior -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
It is only two days after Christmas.
One in revelation and glory -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 1998
The late Cardinal Cushing said that, when he was a parish priest, he was summoned to a store to give
God's sovereignty -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 1998
It's Labor Day weekend. Church attendance may be a bit low.
God's word transforms -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 1998
The lessons for today are quite disparate.
God's justice -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 1998
Last week, the Gospel lesson and the Second Reading were in perfect sync, sounding a call to persist
Law and gospel -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 1998
The lessons seem even more disparate today than usual.
A change of perception -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1998
Luke's wonderful parable of the prodigal son dominates the lectionary for today.
The Church is one body -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 1998
The obvious connection between the first and the third lessons for today is that both concern the pu

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | OT 21 -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 1:4-10
It can be scary... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
It can be scary to think that God knows everything about us even before we were born.
Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate, describes in her book Mighty Be Our Powers how sisterhoo
It's never good when... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
It's never good when the earth moves. Earthquakes never build, they only destroy.
The text deals with... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
The text deals with the contrast between the two covenants (of the law and of the gospel).
A group of veterans... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Ron Love -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
A group of veterans goes to various churches around the country and asks permission to place America
There was a woman in Nepal... -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
There was a woman in Nepal who couldn't walk. She had been crippled for many years.
What rejoicing words... -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
What rejoicing words would the crowd utter after Jesus healed the crippled woman?
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2013) -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Ron Love, Bob Ove -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 2:4-13
In the text God laments... -- Jeremiah 2:4-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
In the text God laments the waywardness of Israel, of our waywardness for changing our God for what
All children, they say... -- Jeremiah 2:4-13 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
All children, they say, tend to prefer the box.
Ariel Castro was sentenced... -- Jeremiah 2:4-13 -- Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
Ariel Castro was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years for his abduction, enslavement, and ph
Contentment is not easily achieved... -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
Contentment is not easily achieved in our consumer society, where the art of advertising is to get u
The writer (Paul?)... -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
The writer (Paul?) urges those to whom he is writing, to keep on loving each other.
In the election of 1888... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
In the election of 1888, Benjamin Harrison was most concerned about the results from his home state
We stand in line and wait... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
We stand in line and wait.
You've gotta promote yourself... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
You've gotta promote yourself, or you get nowhere in the economy.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 (2013) -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Jeremiah found parables... -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah found parables for life in the common things of life.
I made a retreat to... -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
I made a retreat to a monastery years ago and visited a monk who was making pottery.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, upon completing... -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
Nathaniel Hawthorne, upon completing a manuscript, always sought the approval of his wife for its em
It happens in books and... -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
It happens in books and in movies all the time. A long lost brother.
This troubling book... -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
This troubling book regarding Paul's interaction with the slave of a Christian implies a number of f
Dietrich Bonhoeffer asks... -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
Dietrich Bonhoeffer asks the pertinent question: "How can we live the Christian life in the modern w
This scripture forbids us... -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
This scripture forbids us from hating anyone, much less our family.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
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
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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

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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