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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Trouble -- Genesis 15:1-12 , 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12 , 17-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Overcoming trouble provides the theme this week.
In gratitude -- Micah 1:2; 2:1-10, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
At the heart of most sinning is the spirit of ingratitude.
Preparing for the fulfillment -- Isaiah 28:14-22, Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-29, Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
If death is a closing of the eyes to the segment of life we play out this side of eternity, then lik
Looking for heroes -- Mark 4:35-41, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, Psalm 9:9-20 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
The year was 1934. Times were difficult around the world. Times were especially
The Spirit -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Few issues trouble the church more than dealing with matters of the Spirit.
Getting on the right frequency -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
One of my proofs for the existence of God is that as a child I neither set the neighborhood ablaze n
Now it's time to preach -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
The Sunday after Easter is an unenviable time for preachers in many churches.
No turning back -- 1 Kings 19:15-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
What does it mean to us that we say our lives are in the service of God?
God is Where We See Him -- 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-6, Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
God in the Wings -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Many in Christendom express concern that Christ is crowded out of Christmas by our fascination with
Joy Versus a High -- Jeremiah 31:10-13, Luke 2:41-52, Colossians 3:12-21 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Surely one of the central themes of the Christmas season is the theme of joy.
The full gospel -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-9, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
There wasn't much sophistication about the preaching of John the Baptist.
Upside-down kingdom -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
In his classic book, Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift takes the reader on an adventure thro
Christian (Version 7.0) -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8, Psalm 126 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Personality tests, such as the Meyers-Briggs, will place two-word sets side by side and ask the part
Heaven on their minds -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 12 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
At the opening of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar, Judas laments, "A
The deed in the jar -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
If I've read it once, I've read it a dozen times: the religious thriller, where the plot hinges on a
Leveraging the family genome -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Roman historian, Herodotus, told of the pride the Egyptians had in being the oldest
For all the saints -- Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21, Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27, Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - C
"For all the saints who from their labors rest...!" Today we sharpen our memories, and focus our att
Covenant: the next generation -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
One of the central concepts of the Bible is the "covenant." A covenant is a contract-plus.
When the crows come home to roost -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21, Galatians 6:7-18, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
The Sundays after Pentecost and Trinity traditionally have focused on the growth in the Christian li
New Age religion -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
What has been called New Age religion has been with us for a while now.
God's Intentions -- Ezekiel 2:1-5, Mark 6:7-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
The cross of repentance -- Psalm 51:1-13, Joel 2:12-19, Matthew 6:1-6 -- Ash Wednesday - A
Mardi Gras! Festivals of light! Great crowds gathering to have fun.
Unity -- Psalm 19:7-14, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Surely one of the constant themes of the New Testament is a call to unity.
From God to us -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14, Psalm 98 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A
There will be a lot of present-opening these days.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
The heart of the Reformation message is that righteousness/salvation is not something we achieve by
NULL -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Martin Luther was a troubled Augustinian monk trying to gain the assurance of his personal salvation
NULL -- John 8:31-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr.
NULL -- John 8:31-36 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
"Please give me your attention," the flight attendant announced.
NULL -- John 8:31-36 -- Bob Ove -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Abraham was not perfect. He had his ups and downs!
NULL -- John 8:31-36 -- Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Hans Rosling, 63, is trained in statistics and medicine.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2012) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Ruth 1:1-18
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Vera was a unique woman. During her marriage she birthed two natural sons.
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
There is a saying: "Mind your thoughts for they become words.
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
When we lived in Nepal there were families being torn apart by intermarriage.
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) in July 2012 cast her 5,000th consecutive vote in the Senate.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
In her book The Undoing of Death, Fleming Rutledge explores the meaning of the cross by refer
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
A 2008 Pew Forum poll revealed that 65% of the American public believe that many religions (not just
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
I have often had church members ask me, "How can I love God with my heart, soul, strength, and mind
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Wherever Anne went, she ran each morning.
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Donald Sadoway, 62, is an MIT engineer. His specialty is liquid-metal batteries.
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Consider the shape of the cross; it visually summarizes for us the two great commandments.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2012) -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
NULL -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Ted Geisel of Springfield, Massachusetts, wanted to be a writer.
NULL -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
The whole story of Ruth is full of surprises. The surprising loyalty to a mother-in-law.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Al-jen Poo, 38, is the daughter of pro-democracy immigrants from Chiang Kai-shek's Taiwan.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
The church I attend in retirement meets in a storefront sanctuary.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (part of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Mrs. Edwards had a passion for teaching.
NULL -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Our lesson is all about giving, not about how much to give, but the spirit of giving.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

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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