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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

When the predictions become reality -- Isaiah 66:16-23, Hebrews 12:18-24, Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Most of the time, I think the predictions of the Bible, especially those related to the coming of th
Holding up when sag-time strikes -- Luke 18:1-8, Exodus 17:8-13 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Plop! Plop!
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.
Prophets -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Unfortunately for us the word "prophet" has come to be a kind of category word that embraces a
No Free Ride -- Malachi 4:1-6, Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
In Luke 12 the story is told of a rich man who had more than he knew what to do with.
A share of the Spirit -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
"Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it." Now there is a bit of sage advice tha
Opposites -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
The traditional symbol for drama was two masks, one for comedy with the mouth wide and corners turne
Do you see what I see? -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, Psalm 20 -- David Kalas -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Sellers will sometimes advertise with the initials "WYSIWYG" -- What you see is what
Hearers of the Terrible Words -- Isaiah 66:18-23, Hebrews 12:18-24, Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
If one is not careful, she can so focus attention on the terrible judgmental words of the selections
Costly Discipleship -- Isaiah 50:4-10, James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18, Mark 8:27-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
One of the great tragedies that has befallen the modern Christian church is the current-day movement
When silence is not golden! -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
The avalanche of dealings we have had these past weeks with sin, impending judgment and the call for
God of the ages -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
What is the relationship between the past, the present, and the future?
"X" marks the spot -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Psalm 119:129-136 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
God works in hidden ways.
Baptism -- Isaiah 61:1-4, Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Most of the time we hear the evangelistic declaration that baptism is a rite of cleansing, a sign of
Search and preserve mission -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- William H. Shepherd -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
"Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty," says the bumper sticker.
Faithful finances -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Reformation Sunday - C
They are almost universally despised and ridiculed in our country, but it is impossible to avoid at
Snake oil religion and tunnel vision -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Browsing through a friend's collection of antique botties I came across a bottle of patent medicine.
More than meets the eye -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
In many congregations this Sunday after Labor Day marks the transition from the lessened activity of
System requirements -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10, Psalm 137 -- David Kalas -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
Before you buy a new piece of software, you check the side of the box where it lists the system requ
Transfiguration or disfiguration -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
The transfiguration plunges us into the kind of text that many preachers would rather avoid if possi
Know thyself -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
While this famous Greek maxim is attributed to any number of ancient Greek
Looking For God In Miracles -- 1 Kings 17:17-24, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C
"If only things like that would happen once again.
The Blood -- Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
One of the interesting things about blood, as it is presented in the New Testament, is the fact that
The old and the new -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
The beginning of a new church year and a new lectionary series from the Gospel of Luke set me to mus
For there's no other way -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
When I sit down to plan the worship services for this Sunday, I will start by penciling in John H.

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Billy Sunday was a major league baseball player turned evangelist.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2012) -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 1:4-20
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Does prayer work? Hannah prayed and trusted God; she received a son.
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
"God's not answering my prayer. Why don't my children call me or visit?
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Juan Manuel Santos is Colombia's turnaround man.
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
We all have favorites. Jesus' favorite disciple was John.
NULL -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all th
NULL -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Our lesson suggests that the sacrifice of Christ gives confidence to enter into the presence of God
NULL -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Ron Love -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Yoga instructor Alice Van Ness was terminated from her position at the Menlo Park campus of Facebook
NULL -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
What happened to peace on earth? Why do we have to put up with all these birth pangs?
NULL -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Solomon built the first temple, which was destroyed by the Babylonians in the sixth century.
NULL -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Question: What state records the greatest number of earthquakes along with volcanic eruptions
Sermon Illustrations for Christ the King Sunday (Proper 29) (2012) -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
2 Samuel 23:1-7
NULL -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Howard Stern wrote an editorial in which he expressed his admiration for the professionalism of Matt
NULL -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
The image of a rock is often used in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy, Psalms, Isaiah) to speak of God
NULL -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
What will our last words be? What will we leave to our children? Those words of David give me hope.
NULL -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Evan was graduating.
NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
How is Christ king in light of all the evil that still plagues us, all the suffering, war, and injus
NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Eugene Peterson not only produces Bible translations, he also is a poet.
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Bob Ove -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
There is no jihad in Christianity.
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Las Vegas is the prime destination for trade shows.
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Pilate exemplifies what Winston Churchill once observed: "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, b
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Three-year-old Benjamin pranced around wearing his Burger King crown.
Sermon Illustrations for Thanksgiving (2012) -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Joel 2:21-27
NULL -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
There is an ecological dimension to this text (concern with the land).

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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
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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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