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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Have you been to the mountaintop? -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
There are only two kinds of people in the world.
Maker of heaven and earth -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, Psalm 130 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Okay, sooner or later, and more likely sooner than later, if you engage in the homiletical
Show me your ways -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
I have to admit that I have absolutely no interest in preserving the institution of the church.
Beginnings -- Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18, John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
On the first Sunday in the new year, a theme of beginnings seems very appropriate.
It was good -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 8 -- William H. Shepherd -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
The more I listened, the more I heard desperation.
The Exalted Lord -- Ascension of the Lord - B
I imagine the world could not hold all the records of discussions about the ascension and its meanin
Triumphant suffering -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C
On this day for remembering the death of Jesus, each of the lessons portrays nobility in suffering.
A good story retold -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
The movie Jesus of Montreal (1989) pictures young actors working to revitalize a passion play
No spring chicken -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45, Psalm 130 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Each year about this time, we in the church are fond of making a misplaced analogy.
Salvation -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-13, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
It is natural to expect that people will always couch any talk about salvation in terms of their own
Facing Up to Life -- Psalm 107:1, 33-43, Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Sometimes when I hear people speak of their faith and their relationship to God, I get the idea that
Past and future -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
As Holy Week draws near, the lessons carry the struggle between past and present, continuity and dis
Symbols and Communication -- Exodus 34:29-35, Luke 9:28-36 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
History is filled with stories of conflict over symbols, icons, images, and other representati
The Last Enemy -- Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B
In 1 Corinthians 15, verse 26, Paul declares that "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
The Partial Gospel -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23 -- All Saints Day - A
One of the problems faced by every preacher is the fact that one cannot say everything about everyth
Of simplicity and simpletons -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12, Psalm 15 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A
We have a prejudice in favor of things complex.
The Call of Duty -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, Luke 17:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
There are those who chafe at the word duty. It seems so arbitrary, so oppressive, so binding.
Challenging the Status Quo -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
I never cease to be amazed at those Christians who are shocked to discover that they are not the mos
Victory -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Luke 19:28-40, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - C
Once a woman came to Abraham Lincoln, after he had made a speech during the Civil War, and said, "Mr
God I ain't -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13, Psalm 85 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
The movie Rudy (1993) is about a football player who refuses to quit.
Salvation -- Acts 3:12-19; 4:8-12, Acts 3:12-19; 4:8-12 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Easter is more than a story of the only man in history who was raised from the dead.
Mountaintop experience -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- William H. Shepherd -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
It was the most boring sermon I ever heard, until it became the most interesting.
Lenten Athletes -- Psalm 91:9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Sometimes when I hear people talking about what they are going to do during Lent, it seems to me tha
Table manners -- John 2:13-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Exodus 20:1-17 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Perhaps it is the oddity that I am writing this on the Monday before Thanksgiving or it is my procli
Under the circumstances -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- David Kalas -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
As I was driving home from the office the other day, I was waiting at a traffic light downtown, when

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

After David had consolidated his kingdom... -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
After David had consolidated his kingdom he decided it was time that he built a house for God.
Paul refers to Christ creating one new humanity... -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
Paul refers to Christ creating one new humanity, especially in the church.
Statistician Hans Rosling is recognized for his contribution to advancing the public health... -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Ron Love -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
Statistician Hans Rosling is recognized for his contribution to advancing the public health in Afric
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him... -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him, but his disciples tended to feel that there were some peo
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Some children were taken to a nursing home... -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Ron Love -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
Some children were taken to a nursing home to sing to the residents and share some time with them.
Like David, Americans do not want to acknowledge their sin... -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
Like David, Americans do not want to acknowledge their sin.
N.T. Wright tells the following story about Desmond Tutu... -- Ephesians 3:14-21 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
N.T. Wright tells the following story about Desmond Tutu's prayer life.
Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson made an insightful comment... -- John 6:1-21 -- Ron Love -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson made an insightful comment that could only come from one who stud
An article in a 2010 issue of Nature magazine indicated... -- John 6:1-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
An article in a 2010 issue of Nature magazine indicated that we have the food resources to fe
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 13 | OT 18 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a
As Nathan told his story about the rich man... -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
William J.
In the May 2012 publication of Time magazine... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Ron Love -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
In the May 2012 publication of Time magazine, the editors devoted a special double issue to t
Our lesson speaks of our unity... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Our lesson speaks of our unity, for Christ now fills all things.
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian... -- John 6:24-35 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian who was hurrying to finish his Ph.D. dissertation.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 14 | OT 19 (2012) -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:34, 41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
An elderly lady had been waiting to pull into a parking place... -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Ron Love -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
An elderly lady had been waiting to pull into a parking place.
The story of David's remarkable compassion toward his rebellious son... -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
The story of David's remarkable compassion toward his rebellious son Absalom is a love that seems to
Garret Keizer in his provocative book... -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
Garret Keizer in his provocative book, The Enigma of Anger, tells a story about his father-in
In calling himself the bread of life... -- John 6:34, 41-51 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
In calling himself the bread of life, Jesus was making the point about how essential he is for human
Suze Oman, financial expert and TV host... -- John 6:34, 41-51 -- Ron Love -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
Suze Oman, financial expert and TV host, reflected on what she thought was the most influential plac
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | OT 20 (2012) -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4
Debra Farrington in her book... -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
Debra Farrington in her book, Learning to Hear with the Heart, tells of the horror of an expe
Our lesson urges us to make the most of our time... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
Our lesson urges us to make the most of our time (v. 16). Americans do not do that very well.
The early church fathers saw... -- John 6:51-58 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
The early church fathers saw the sixth chapter in the gospel of John as depicting Jesus as the sourc

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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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Easter 7
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
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Pentecost
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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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