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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

On having a physical relationship... with God! -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
If a human being was a candy bar, what would the label say? What are our ingredients?
Hearing a familiar voice -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Wayne Brouwer -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
One of the greatest marketing trademarks of all time was built on Francis Barraud's 1899 painting of
Who was, who is, and who is to come -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- David Kalas -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
I have been leading several dozen folks from my congregation through a year-long, cover-to-cover rea
I know my sheep -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Bass M. Mitchell -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
I was saddened beyond expression when the news reached me that a dear friend had taken his life.
Hanging onto hope -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Advent is, for the church, a solid hook in the vast, uncharted, chaotic voids of space, allowing us
Extension cords -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Our family moved into a new house recently.
Time after time -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
Time is the news of the day. Yesterday was yesteryear.
Somebody with skin on -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
It was a dark and stormy night. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed.
Lord of the strong reaction -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
The New Testament gives us only one peek into Jesus' childhood.
Wedding day -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2012
The bride was obviously nervous. She could hardly get through the wedding rehearsal.
What goes up -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- David Kalas -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
"What goes up must come down." So goes the old saying, in an axiomatic testament to the gravitationa
Glow-in-the-dark -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2012
The story of Madame Curie is more fascinating than most fictional novels.
Walking the hall -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- David Kalas -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Some sports teams have great heritages -- traditions that go way back, and legendary names and event
Have I thought enough? -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- David Kalas -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2012
The award-winning 1968 movie A Man for All Seasons portrays a portion of the real-life story
The practicality of penitence -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2012
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent, a season of penitence.
Harvest hope -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
An ancient Jewish writing declares, "Pentecost is the day on which Torah was given." According to th
The God who keeps promises -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Both my congregation and local community are exhausted with the past political campaign season of at
Tears -- Genesis 15:1-12 (17-18), Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2012
"As luck would have it, providence was on my side!" wrote Samuel Butler. But what does that mean?
It's a mystery -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Bass M. Mitchell -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
One of the most delightful movies I have seen in a while was Shakespeare in Love, which won t
More than a warm feeling -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
The Christmas story is one of the best-loved stories in the Bible.
Cover art -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- David Kalas -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
I wonder who the first person was who said, "You can't judge a book by its cover"?
What kind of kingdom? -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
When I was in high school a new music teacher came to town.
Looking for a king in a democratic age -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
One morning in 1872, David Livingstone wrote this in his diary: “March 19, my birthday.
Battles and storms -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- David A. Davis -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
It was a scene from vacation Bible school that I will never forget.
Seeing the world through Abraham's eyes -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Scott Camp told of a university student who was working on a doctorate investigating the social cult

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Two young men were... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Two young men were making fun of the Christian idea of resurrection from the dead, saying that it wa
Envy is also determined... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Ron Love -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Envy is also determined by "proximity." This hypothesis was put forth by David Hume, the 18th-centur
As the whole account... -- John 20:1-18 -- Bob Ove -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
As the whole account of the resurrection seems to indicate, no one, family or disciples, seemed to h
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 2 (2014) -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
As all the other... -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
As all the other Anglicans in church knelt at their pews, during prayer George Washington would stan
Peter's preaching on the... -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Peter's preaching on the first Pentecost was a testimony to the fact that though Jesus has returned
Blaise Pascal said... -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Blaise Pascal said that in every human heart there is a God-shaped vacuum that can never be filled b
Our first assignment... -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Our first assignment is to give praise to God the Father of Jesus.
The Masada was Herod's... -- John 20:19-31 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
The Masada was Herod's summer palace and fortress.
Doubt about the... -- John 20:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Doubt about the resurrection is not just Thomas' hang-up.
Transactional analysis (TA)... -- John 20:19-31 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Transactional analysis (TA) is an integrative approach to the theory of psychology and psychotherapy
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 3 -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Talk about a fire and... -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Talk about a fire and brimstone sermon! Most will turn people off, but this one hit home.
Dr. Adam Geibel, a music... -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Dr.
Democratic President Harry... -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Democratic President Harry Truman so disliked Robert Taft, the Republican Senator from Ohio, that he
This lesson's call... -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
This lesson's call to holy living seems to put more pressure on us.
There were two men... -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
There were two men walking along. Only one is named, Cleopas, so who was the other?
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 4 (2014) -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 -- Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 2:42-47
The story is told... -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
The story is told of Associate Justice Joseph R.
Philosopher and theologian... -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas was born circa 1225 in Roccasecca, Italy.
The latest IRS statistics... -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
The latest IRS statistics indicate that the gap between rich and poor in America reached levels in 2
My wife and I are helping... -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
My wife and I are helping a girl in prison near our residence.
Let's not romanticize... -- John 10:1-10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Let's not romanticize the sheep in the story of the good shepherd.
Robert and Helen Lynds... -- John 10:1-10 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Robert and Helen Lynds were sociologists who studied the lifestyles of Middle America, selecting the
During the Palestinian... -- John 10:1-10 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
During the Palestinian uprising in the late 1980s, a village near Bethlehem was punished for not pay

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
34 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For November 16, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Another natural disaster has flattened a number of coastal communities. Despite the weather and major television station warnings, and government disaster preparations, the dystopian destruction nightmare of Luke 21 has decimated another community. Also, it is reasonable to believe that this is not the last year for hurricanes, Tsunami’s, wildfires, mudslides and tornados. They will occur again. However, as weary citizens are interviewed in one group of people with the background of homes in rubble and streets still draining flood waters, they will not leave. This is their home.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez

Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (v. 25)

A week after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, country singer Toby Keith — who died Feb. 5, 2024 — wrote a patriotic ballad titled “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” It was filled with populist fighting rhetoric that matched the mood of a nation shaken by the shocking death and destruction of that day.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A blood pressure monitor. It is actually called a sphygmomanometer, and is pronounced “sfig·mow·muh·naa’·muh·tr”.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

John W. Clarke
No reading of Luke is complete without coming to realize that Luke is concerned that the world understands that Jesus is the hope of the world and that any teaching that leads away from that fact is a false teaching. No matter what, no matter when, Jesus will be there to give us life.

Scott Suskovic
Whoever does not work should not eat!
-- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Wow! Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? Not a lot of ambiguity in that rule. "You don't work, you don't eat." For a religion based on grace, it seems a bit unyielding.

Mark Ellingson
Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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