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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Self--Denial -- Genesis 17:1-10, 15-19; 28:10-17 (18-22);, Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
One of the most easily recognizable activities most associated with Lent is the practice of self--de
Roots, Sprouts and repentance! -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
The world and the church approach the "Mass of Christ" with a different pace, and "atmospheres" that
Shall we dance? -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29, Psalm 24 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
In both its original Japanese and later American versions the movie, Shall We
Passover and Pentecost -- Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - B
I encourage you to do some extensive work in an effort to understand something of the meaning of Pen
Disputed election -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43, Luke 1:68-79 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
Now that election day is behind us again, we can get on with business as usual.
Off the cutting room floor -- Joel 2:23-32, Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
The late English theologian, Peter Taylor Forsythe, was, in the earlier decades of this century, a s
Learning from cancer -- Luke 24:36b-48, 1 John 3:1-7, Acts 3:12-19 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
For the past seven years, cancer has been part of my journey.
A Proper Spirit -- 2 Kings 4:8-17, Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:21-29 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
During Pentecost we spend a lot of time talking about God's Spirit, the gift of the Spirit, the gift
Jesus -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
It is clear from the selections for this Sunday that the early church was taking all its clues from
Somebody has to pay! -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Anger is like a volcano. Deep in many of us there is a lake of pain, pure molten hurt.
Epiphany All Year -- Isaiah 42:1-7; 61:1-4, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Sometimes I think that we do the concept of Epiphany harm by observing one Sunday as Epiphany.
That's the way -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- David Kalas -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
Walter Cronkite, in his long tenure as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, was known for his
The Pastoral Heart -- 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, Mark 3:20-35, Mark 3:20-35 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C
God's Initiative -- Psalm 34:1-8 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
If you attend enough revival meetings, you can soon come to the conclusion that salvation is somethi
Either/Or -- 1 Kings 19:14-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
One of the most overwhelming things about the faith we share is its uncompromising demand.
Say it ain't so! -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
The year was 1919, and it was the beginning of the first World Series after the "War to end all wars
That's a plan -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, Psalm 89:20-37 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The best laid plans of mice, men, and ministers often go astray. We seem to have fallen
The God Who Is Always the Same -- Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29, Luke 14:1, 7-14, Hebrews 13:1-8 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Often when you hear some people talk about God you get the idea they are really talking about two go
Repentance and Penance -- Joel 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2, Joel 2:1-2 -- Ash Wednesday - B
The meaning of words like repentance, penance, grace, reconciliation and the like have a way of get
Getting to a teachable moment -- Mark 15:1-39 (40-47), Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Passion Sunday - B
I spent part of a recent Sunday talking with a public school teacher who was quickly coming to the e
Knowing our limits -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15, Psalm 8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
During the years when Jesus was passing his childhood in Palestine, the Latin poet Ovid was writing
Suffering -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - B
It is clear that the writers of the New Testament accept the suffering role of God's Messiah and wri
GOOD Friday? -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
Anyone who read the story of Holy Week for the first time without understanding might wonder just ho
Assurance -- Psalm 67, Revelation 21:10, 22-27, John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Sometimes I think that we take assurance with a lack of seriousness.
Wrestling -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
We all love stories of courage among those who wrestle with daunting difficulties in life and actual

Communicating God's Love

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Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
When Judas had to be replaced by a new apostle... -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Ron Love -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When Judas had to be replaced by a new apostle, the Christian community was scrutinized for the two
Tony Campolo cites a Fortune magazine article... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Tony Campolo cites a Fortune magazine article telling how young men and women entering the bu
We live in a politically correct world... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Craig Kelly -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
We live in a politically correct world. Tolerance is a key word in today's society.
Ken and Carol Dorushka were having their morning cup of coffee... -- John 17:6-19 -- Ron Love -- 2012
Ken and Carol Dorushka were having their morning cup of coffee, when Carol mentioned she needed some
Sermon Illustrations for Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Acts 2:1-21
Leslie Weatherhead was an outstanding English Methodist preacher... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Leslie Weatherhead was an outstanding English Methodist preacher and writer who tells of a visit to
Why do we live as Christians?... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Craig Kelly -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Why do we live as Christians?
In the movie Star Wars... -- Romans 8:22-27 -- Ron Love -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Paul wrote "that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains" in expectation of a Savior.
It's funny how looking at the ideal of something... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Craig Kelly -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
It's funny how looking at the ideal of something shows us how far away we are from it.
Anne Lamott in her best-selling book, Traveling Mercies... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Anne Lamott in her best-selling book, Traveling Mercies tells of her fear at the appearance o
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2012) -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
Isaiah 6:1-8
In the early 1800s the Sisters of Mercy... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
In the early 1800s the Sisters of Mercy were organized in Ireland.
In 1901 President William B. McKinley visited Niagara Falls... -- John 3:1-17 -- Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
In 1901 President William B. McKinley visited Niagara Falls.
Why does God so love the world?... -- John 3:1-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
Why does God so love the world (v. 16)? The Triune God knows no other way.
Isaiah's call... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
Isaiah's call. We make a big deal of responding to God's call. It is odd.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 (2012) -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- Richard A. Hasler, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20
The people put pressure on Samuel... -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
The people put pressure on Samuel to anoint a king, and Samuel prays to God for guidance.
Scolded and criticized... -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Ron Love -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
Scolded and criticized, Abraham Lincoln still insisted on signing the Emancipation Proclamation.
God's ways are not our ways... -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
God's ways are not our ways.
Jesus in his debate with the scribes... -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
Jesus in his debate with the scribes showed how absurd their claim was that he is associated with Sa
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 6 | OT 11, Cycle B (2012) -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 15:34--16:13
A psychologist asked 3,000 people... -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
A psychologist asked 3,000 people, "What have you to live for?" He was surprised to find that 94% we
Life is difficult in America given our present economic realities... -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
Life is difficult in America given our present economic realities, not unlike the hopelessness felt
John Killinger tells the story of a man deeply depressed... -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
Paul writes: "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; se

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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
and more...
Easter 7
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Pentecost
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

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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