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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Three for the show -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1991
You remember that child's game that requires someone to say, "One for the money, two for the show, t
God in the commonplace -- 2 Kings 2:1-12a, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1991
Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote these lines in her poem Aurora Leigh.
Miracle -- 2 Samuel 12:15b-24, Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1991
For the month of August, lessons from the Gospel of John will explore insights related to Jesus' fee
What role for law? -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1991
From one point of view in his time, Jesus played fast and loose with the law.
Getting along -- Proverbs 2:1-8, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:31-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1991
Getting along, just getting along, that is how most of us live most of the time.
Commanded to love -- Exodus 24:3-8, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1991
How can love be commanded? Is it not supposed to be spontaneous?
Service and ambition -- Isaiah 23:7-12, Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1991
How serious is the contrast between the biblical teaching of sacrificial service and the worldly com
Self denial -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2 (3-10) -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1991
I have a missionary friend who has spent most of his adult life in India working as a missionary-edu
Repetition -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1991
If you are on course with your preaching, you will sometimes notice how it seems you are saying the
God's kingdom and growth -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1991
In the northern hemisphere, June is an ideal time to think of growing things.
Reading the other side of the New Testament -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:35-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1991
It is important that we never forget that the New Testament was written in the midst of real life, r
Marriage and divorce -- Genesis 2:18-24, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1991
Jesus' teaching about divorce has seemed too austere, even legalistic, to Christians in modern socie
Not for graveyards -- Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 1991
No doubt you have heard me say it before, "Easter is not for graveyards."
Limits of legalism -- 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12, Ephesians 6:10-20, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1991
Once again, as on the second Sunday of Pentecost, the lesson reports how Jesus faced criticism for b
What is the Law? -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1991
One of the difficult things we do around the church is to use the same word when we mean different t
Getting it straight -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1991
One of the things that interests me as one who loves to teach classes on the Bible is to discover ho
Fulfillment in spite of delay -- 2 Samuel 6:1-15, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1991
Our expectations may be ordered according to a plan scheduled over time.
Handling rejection -- 2 Samuel 7:1-17, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-6 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1991
Rejection can be so subversive of one's self-confidence as to threaten a person's equilibrium.
Hope against hope -- Jeremiah 31:7-9, Hebrews 5:1-6, Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1991
Some might call the Old Testament lesson an unfulfilled prophecy.
Witnesses -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1991
The Bible will not let us alone. To have the faith is not to have it as an exclusive possession.
When will Jesus come? -- Isaiah 63:16-64:8, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:32-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
For a time we have been having some respite from those who see every world event as the herald of th
Christ mass -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1990
How we conceive Christmas is critical to our faith.
Watching the expanding claims of the New Testament -- 2 Samuel 7:8-16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
Just back away from the New Testament for a moment and take a broad look at what is portrayed here.
Keep Christmas in perspective -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1990
One may wonder why Christmas is so short a season in the church year. Four Sundays in Advent.
The continuing Advent -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
Perhaps we have succeeded in obscuring the meaning of Advent when we have tied it to one time such a

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Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2012) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
So many different holidays... -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Craig Kelly -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
It's interesting how we have so many different holidays on our calendar, many of which have little r
Christopher H. Evans, co-author of the book... -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
Christopher H.
There is an uncompromising difference between Catholics and Protestants... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Ron Love -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
There is an uncompromising difference between Roman Catholics and Protestants in the interpretation
Douglas Steere taught philosophy at Haverford College... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
Douglas Steere taught philosophy at Haverford College near Philadelphia for many years, but Steere w
We don't have professional foot washers... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Craig Kelly -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
We don't have professional foot washers in twenty-first-century North America, so it's rather diffic
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2012) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Ken and Carol Dorushka went to Safeway that morning... -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
Ken and Carol Dorushka went to Safeway that morning to get a few items for lunch and to greet their
From the early years of the church... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
From the early years of the church people of faith have been responding to the call of the writer of
I love going to concerts... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Craig Kelly -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
I love going to concerts. It always thrills me to hear bands I love playing my favorite songs live.
There seems each year that there is a doomsayer... -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
There seems each year that there is a doomsayer who is predicting the end of the world.
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2012) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Acts 10:34-43
Leonard Sweet tells an old story... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Leonard Sweet tells an old story about three African elders visiting the West.
Our system of justice is... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Craig Kelly -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Our system of justice is based to a great degree on testimony.
Paul reminded the constituents... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Paul reminded the constituents in the church at Corinth "of the good news that I proclaimed to you,
The boy was saddened and cried... -- John 20:1-18 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Chuck Swindoll in his book, Growing Deep in the Christian Life relates the story about a Sund
There is something fascinating about illusionists... -- John 20:1-18 -- Craig Kelly -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
There is something fascinating about illusionists like David Copperfield or Penn and Teller.
Sermon Illustrations for Second Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 4:32-35
It was a spirited Wednesday for the 55,528 fans gathered in Metrodome... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
It was a spirited Wednesday for the 55,528 fans gathered in Metrodome.
Whether it's from the perspective of the prosecution... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Whether it's from the perspective of the prosecution, such as Law and Order, or from the defe
One of the major heresies... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
One of the major heresies that threatened the early church was the heresy of Gnosticism which over-e
Roger Bannister is the first man to run the four-minute mile... -- John 20:19-31 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Roger Bannister is the first man to run the four-minute mile.
Sermon Illustrations for the Third Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 3:12-19
Lloyd Ogilvie one day was pondering this passage... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Lloyd Ogilvie one day was pondering this passage about Peter's sermon in the temple after Peter and
I wonder why it is that so many... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
I wonder why it is that so many in the body of Christ see so many events in scripture as only being

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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
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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New & Featured This Week

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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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