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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Breaking boxes -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Easter Day - A
The central message of Christian faith is that Jesus was raised from the dead.
Glory -- Exodus 34:29-35, Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
When I was young, I knew an old man, bedfast in his terminal illness, who would say to the pastor, "
God brought laughter -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Romans 5:1-8, Psalm 100 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
A few years back, the religious media was filled with reports of "holy laughter." Some charismatic c
The day the Spirit moved in -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- David Kalas -- Day of Pentecost - C
Things change in a house when someone new moves in.
Persistence -- Genesis 32:22-30, Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Here and there in the Biblical record, one can find material that seems to issue a call for persiste
Great Expectations -- Jeremiah 11:18-20, Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Most of us have been conditioned to expect great things from God.
Deliverance -- Exodus 3:1-15, Luke 13:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
By Ross Marrs
Just do it -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28, Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
In the 1980s, Nike challenged athletes (and would-be athletes) with this straightforward motto: J
Pick me! Pick me! -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- David Kalas -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
The children gather on the playground for a game: perhaps kickball, or basketball, or touch football
The tenth leper -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
When Jerusalem fell to the Chaldeans the significant portion of the population forcibly resettled in
The ministry next door -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 82 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
A friend tells that from time to time his wife chides him for what he is able to walk past around th
Utopia -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, Acts 16:9-15, Psalm 67 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Recent years have seen a resurgence of participation in public discussions of books.
For those who have ears to hear -- Ezekiel 33:1-11, Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
This is a day when a lot of ears will burn if the preaching follows the lead of the texts.
Night watch -- Isaiah 62:6-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Rembrandt's grand painting of The Company of Captain Frans Cocq has captured lingering reflec
Teaching -- Nehemiah 8:1-10, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
This week, all three lessons present the teaching ministry for the people of God.
Christian community -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29, Revelation 21:10, 22-27, John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Here we see community formation in action.
The Broken Heart -- Hosea 6:1-6, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 19:17-30 -- Good Friday - C
Much discussion has gone on in the church regarding God's attitude on Good Friday. Where was he?
Wonder -- Exodus 15:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
By Ross Marrs
Act for tomorrow today! -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
In the parables of last Sunday Jesus presented two central characters who would discombobulate the s
The wrong anthem -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14-27:66 -- William H. Shepherd -- Passion Sunday - A
The choir director was aghast. "I just didn't realize," she said. "It was totally inappropriate.
The Presence of the Spirit -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Whether considering the Hebrew or New Testament selections, one is made fully aware that all the wr
Help wanted -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- David Kalas -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A
A friend, who was about to become a father, asked me about the relationship I had with my father whe
On being a nuisance -- Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Revealed through his parables is the unique ability of Jesus to present us with cameo glimpses of th
Lost and found -- Joshua 5:9-12, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
This week the Old Testament lesson might remind us of homeless people who have found a decent place
Anatomy of a sermon -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Here's a riddle. What is both common and precious? Both priceless and free?

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Though in the pastorate for a number of years... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Though in the pastorate for a number of years, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, still harbored
Advent is a time of waiting, longing, expecting, hoping... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Advent is a time of waiting, longing, expecting, hoping.
I like the way Paul begins all his epistles with a compliment... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
I always like the way Paul begins all his epistles with a compliment.
The ancient theologian Saint Augustine... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
The ancient theologian Saint Augustine helps us see that John is a model for how we might be messeng
When the word of the Lord came to John the Baptist... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
When the word of the Lord came to John the Baptist it brought him a spiritual peace and a desire to
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 3 (2012) -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Zephaniah 3:14-20
What would it sound like to hear God sing? -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
What would it sound like to hear God sing?
Sermon illustrations for New Year's Eve/Day (2012/2013) -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Sermon Illustrations for First Sunday after Christmas Day (2012) -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
Over the holidays Connie lost her watch -- a special gift from her father.
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
What time is it? Maybe it is whatever time we make it to be!
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
There have been so many ways invented to keep track of time.
NULL -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
This is not a text about making New Year's resolutions, but a description of the new reality God has
NULL -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Ron Love -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
The word "amen" used by the church was incorporated directly from the Jewish synagogue, with no alte
NULL -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
We see so many appeals in magazines and on television for many causes both at home and in other coun
NULL -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
In her book God Never Blinks, Regina Brett recounts her upbringing in parochial school.
NULL -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
When driving through farm country, have you ever seen llamas grazing with horses?
NULL -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
The idea of giving things up for Jesus seems rather quaint; not very fashionable these days.
NULL -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
The Moravian community of Herrnhut in Saxony was well established by the year 1727.
NULL -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
Great advice! Memorize this passage and try to fulfill it.
NULL -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
When we dress for the day's activities, we do not put on just one piece of clothing.
NULL -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
The belief of a military apocalyptic Messiah that would come from the House of David was so dominant
NULL -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
The boy Jesus was focused on the things of God, so much so that he even overlooked his parental ties
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 | OT 2 (2013) -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2012
Isaiah 62:1-5
The lesson refers to the people of faith relating to God like in a marital union... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2012
The lesson refers to the people of faith relating to God like in a marital union.

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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

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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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