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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The written word and the living word -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 1995
Out of the Old Testament reading for this day verse eight of the eighth chapter of Nehemiah leaps ou
God always comes -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
During my growing up years we had no family automobile. My father walked to work and home again.
Sounds like a job for Superman or Wonder Woman -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1995
See, today I appoint you overnations and over kingdoms,
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1995
*Editor's note: Charting The Course for Sunday, November 5, 1995, highlights the lectionary texts fo
The seeing and hearing of God -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 1995
Some commentaries and many sermons treat the narrative of the transfiguration as a literal and fleet
Without fear or favor -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 1995
Gathered around Jesus in Luke's narrative of the Sermon on the Plain are the representatives of two
The passion according to Luke -- Luke 23:1-49 -- Passion Sunday - C -- 1995
Some of us will remember when the fifth Sunday in Lent was called Passion Sunday.
Language, community and relationship -- Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1995
How does the preacher cope with those Sundays of the year that carry a specific theme?
That old time religion -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
That old time religionGive me that old time religion,that old time religion.
The enduring mystery of Easter -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C -- 1995
I have always dreaded the task of writing an Easter sermon.
In the form of a servant -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10, 11-14), 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 1995
The evening service on Maundy Thursday can be one of the most moving of the church year.
Crossing the bridge -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
If we had no church year calendar we would soon create one. Our sense of order demands it.
The pathfinder -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1995
The Old Testament reading sets before us the familiar biblical appellation of Israel as the vineyard
Keeping the dimension of mystery -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
The reading from Acts this day is the closing scene in a story that begins in Acts 10:1.
It's all about Jesus -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
If you are an "Advent purist," one who refuses to preach Advent sermons that lapse into the Christma
Variations on a theme -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 1995
The readings for this day are firmly fixed in all cycles of the lectionary and this poses a challeng
The man who wasn't there -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, Acts 16:9-15 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
In his history of the early church Luke gives prominence to dreams and visions in order to underline
He ascended into heaven -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 1995
The readings for this day are standard in lectionary cycles A, B, and C.
A word out of fashion -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 1995
Invitations, imperatives and warnings sound forth in the readings for this Sunday.
Retrospect and prospect -- Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:15-21 -- 1995
The shepherds return to their flocks and the tasks of shepherding.
Jesus is our glimpse of God -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 1995
"Jesus is the best picture of God what was ever took." The little boy who said that gets an F in gra
The shadows lengthen -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1995
The shadows begin to lengthen as we follow Jesus toward Jerusalem, today via the gospel of John.
The signs of credibility -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-23, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
Last Sunday Mary Magdalene stood before us in her bereavement and met the Risen Jesus.
The prodigality of God -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1995
The word prodigality carries a dual meaning in English.
God in three persons -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 1995
My practice has been to invite folk in the pews to think of the Trinity not as a definition of God,

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bobby McFerrin... -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Bobby McFerrin is best known to us for his iconic 1988 feel-good hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." S
Children are... -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Children are an important part of the scriptures.
This close to... -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
This close to Christmas we are led to think of children and their welfare.
A servant could... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
A servant could mean a slave, or it could mean the messenger of a king -- a high officer in the roya
This passage... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
This passage deals with the entrance of the Savior on the planet earth.
The story... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The story of Mary's pregnancy and eventual virgin birth is a problem for some American Christians.
The Fourth... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The Fourth Ecumenical Council, also known as the Council of Chalcedon, was a church council held fro
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2013) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
The people who walked in darkness are the outsiders who have no faith and are not the favored ones.
God's grace... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
God's grace has appeared in Jesus Christ to offer salvation (God's forgiveness) to all people accord
Twentieth-century... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
Twentieth-century Anglo-American novelist Taylor Caldwell compellingly captured the meaning of Chris
The European... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
The European countries in the late 1800s needed colonies.
This passage... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
This passage presents a problem for some. How literally should we take every passage in scripture?
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 (2013) -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Isaiah 63:7-9
When the United States... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
When the United States occupied the Philippines in the 1890s, Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem that prom
Recently my wife... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Recently my wife came home from a ladies Bible study and related this story of mistaken compassion.
The Sunday after... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The Sunday after Christmas is calculated to be a bit of a "downer" compared to the Christmas festiva
If we are suffering... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
If we are suffering in any way, it can help to know that God's only son was sent to suffer for us.
The war between... -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The war between Austria and Piedmont, which erupted in April 1859, was one of the bloodiest ever rec
Finding something... -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Finding something spiritually meaningful in the Holy Family's fleeing to Egypt is a tall order.
William McCumber says... -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
William McCumber says that the men in this section of the scripture are "unwise men." These religiou
Sermon Illustrations for New Year's Day (2014) -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
We like the good... -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
We like the good times, but we are not so sure about the bad times.
Thomas Cook is a name... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Ron Love -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
Thomas Cook is a name that is unknown to most of us; but we each live with his innovative and entrep
Suffering is not... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Derl G. Keefer -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
Suffering is not something that we seek, but it does come to all people at times in life.

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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
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20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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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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