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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Putting love to work -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1996
Last week we suggested that if Genesis is the account of God's election, then Exodus is t
Obedient love -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1996
As we move to Mount Sinai and the giving of the law we notice a change in Moses' role as leader.
Call and response -- Genesis 18:1-15, Romans 5:1-8, Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1996
Lewis Carroll's Alice bragged that she could believe in impossibles; why, she could believe in six
FIRST LESSON FOCUS -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1996
FIRST LESSON FOCUSBy James A. Nestingen
Sleepwalking -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1996
Maybe sleepwalking is too dramatic a metaphor for the way we live our lives before God opens our ey
Challenging ancient law -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1996
My servant, my chosen -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1996
Often in each church year preachers have to make decisions on topics over which other scholars ha
A direction to follow -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1996
I've got a secret -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1996
Our texts for this Sunday continue the theme from a week ago, namely, that Christians are engaged i
Living hope -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1996
Redemptive suffering -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1996
Born again -- and again -- and again -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Joshua 24 is another of those pivotal chapters in the Old
Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1996
The desert hardly looks like a place of abundance.
Am I responsible? -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
Like the four Gospels, each giving a unique perspective on
Forgiven and forgiving -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1996
The Passover and the passage through the Red Sea are inseparably linked.
First things last -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1996
We do well when reading the prophets to remind ourselves
Broken chains -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1996
The readings for today are not a neat match for each other.
Bridging the gap -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1996
Bridging the gap from the divine to the human, from God's
To love is to serve -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1996
The scenario continues from a week ago. Then it was complaining for lack of bread and meat.
Ascension perspective -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1996
A light to the nations -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1996
The second "Servant Song" continues the theme of the universal intent of the God of Israel and thus
The mysterious Trinity -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1996
Give us this day -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1996
The signs of grace continue, in spite of the resumption of complaints.
Christ crucified -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1996
Be dazzled -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1996
Theophany: a word we do not use today except in specialized classrooms, signals the "-phany" or appe

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

We don't care about... -- John 6:25-35 -- Bob Ove -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2013
We don't care about miracles as long as God puts bread on the table.
Sermon Illustrations for Reformation Day (2013) -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 31:31-34
This is a passage... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Bob Ove -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
This is a passage that bears repeating. It has been used and will be used again.
Just as Jeremiah... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Just as Jeremiah was called by God to speak a reforming word to the people of his day who were livin
This text gets us... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
This text gets us to the heart of the Reformation; it is about the righteousness of God and Martin L
Leona Helmsley was... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Leona Helmsley was a real estate entrepreneur who was worth $8 billion when she was convicted in 198
Jesus is talking... -- John 8:31-36 -- Bob Ove -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Jesus is talking to Jewish believers and makes the promise that if they are faithful to his teaching
One of the best... -- John 8:31-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
One of the best illustrations of freedom in Christ comes from the life of Zacchaeus.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2013) -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
Joel 2:23-32
John Hancock was... -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
John Hancock was president of the Continental Congress.
Some situations seem... -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
Some situations seem hopeless, like the plague of locusts inflicted on Judah.
The message here... -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
The message here is: Don't give up!
Coach Johnson was... -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
Coach Johnson was about training character.
Jean Harlow, the... -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
Jean Harlow, the great screen actress, asked the great playwright Eugene O'Neil, to write a play spe
America is a... -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
America is a pharisaic nation.
Sermon Illustrations for Christ the King / Proper 29 (2013) -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 23:1-6
"Our rabbis taught... -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
"Our rabbis taught: The poor, the rich, the sensual come before the [heavenly] court -- They say to
This is a text... -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
This is a text to remind us that faith has implications for politics, for the way American society s
Paul is hinting... -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Bob Ove -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
Paul is hinting that we have no excuse for not serving our Lord in whatever he gives us to do for hi
Paul encourages the... -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
Paul encourages the Colossians to be strong, endure everything, and give thanks.
We need to expand... -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
We need to expand our horizon beyond that of Paris Hilton, whose life's philosophy never transcends
How can we say... -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
How can we say Christ is King in view of the natural catastrophes that befall our nation, in view of
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2013) -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
Isaiah 65:17-25
A few years ago... -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
A few years ago, Suzanne Collins wrote a popular trilogy that began with The Hunger Games.
This text is so... -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
This text is so different from the one in Habakkuk where the Lord does not seem to be answering.

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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