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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Religious balkanization -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Psalm 133 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2008
One dimension of religious life we have in common across faith traditions and
God of the nonconformists -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20, Psalm 124 -- David Kalas -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2008
I should confess that I do not begin with a prejudice in favor of nonconformists. Some
Choose your weapon -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28, Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2008
Weapon: "1) something (as a club, knife, or gun) used to injure, defeat, or destroy; 2) a
The gospel of the Sistine Chapel -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 52 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2007
I cannot read these texts without finding myself pondering the ceiling of the Sistine
Grounds for divorce -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13, Psalm 85 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2007
The images of adultery and divorce may strike close to home for some of the people in
The three atheists -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
It seems that no classical music producer can go wrong nowadays by promoting anything
Feast of fools -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
In Harvey Cox's book, Feast of Fools, he described the yearly medieval
Keep looking -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Alone for his first cruise ship voyage, a young man felt a stranger among crowds of aging
Law and order -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
I am somewhat of a hopeless addict to the NBC television series, Law and Order.
Watching and waiting -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11, Psalm 146:5-10 -- David Kalas -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
When I was a boy, the father of my best friend accepted a job offer in another country. It
Hall of fame game -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- David Kalas -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
Every major professional sport has a hall of fame. So do a lot of more obscure sports.
Are you kidding? -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Over the years, I grow more cynical about Christmas and just about everything that
Touched -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2007
Sometimes two hands aren't enough. One writer tells of the morning her son came in
This is Christmas -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Psalm 96 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
"And so this is Christmas...." Bob Geldof's musical Band Aid gift to Africa ("Do They
There is going to be an investigation -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2007
"There is going to be an investigation." Are there any more chilling or challenging words
Trapped in stained glass -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
I love stained glass. I grew up in churches that were very traditional, older structures, and
The object of the game -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2007
My little girls recently received a new board game for children as a present. They asked
Connected -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10, Psalm 137 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2007
The bride-to-be was obviously nervous. It was only the rehearsal, but already the pastor
Glory -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2007
William Beebe, the naturalist, used to visit fellow nature-lover, Theodore Roosevelt.
Changed -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2007
When one congregation finished its building project, the dedication team wanted to place
What you are not responsible for -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 8 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2007
'Tis the season to measure up, sum up, and own up. While most sanctuaries will not be
Let your light so shine -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17, Psalm 29 -- David Kalas -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
Sometimes when a certain business -- perhaps an automobile dealership -- is having a big
Word on the street -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2007
Over the years, I have been impressed with how the back streets of our land as much as
A tragic turn -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35, Psalm 27 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2007
For several years of our married life, my wife and I had jobs working with very different
Keeping up appearances -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42, Psalm 40:1-11 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2007
One of my favorite British situation comedies is Keeping Up Appearances. It

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2014) -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
Revelation 7:9-17
Isn't it hard to "picture"... -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Bob Ove -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
Isn't it hard to "picture" heaven in your mind?
The multitude that John saw... -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Derl G. Keefer -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
The multitude that John saw wearing white robes in his vision in this passage are holding palm branc
The Cold War threatened our... -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- Ron Love -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
The Cold War threatened our security.
The essence of sainthood... -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
The essence of sainthood, our text makes clear, is love.
In the Sermon on the Mount... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Derl G. Keefer -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains the root of authentic sainthood.
Some translations say "happy"... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Bob Ove -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
Some translations say "happy" instead of blessed.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2014) -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
Joshua 3:7-17
Twentieth-century English... -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
Twentieth-century English actor Norman Wisdom speaks for many of us when he once said, "I like consi
As a nation we celebrate... -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
As a nation we celebrate Independence Day by recognizing the deposing of the tyranny endured under K
I have a Baptist pastor friend... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
I have a Baptist pastor friend who is so proud of the fact that he has a job on the side and gets no
Paul writes to the Thessalonians... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
Paul writes to the Thessalonians that he has been a messenger of encouragement to them and, in essen
To the Seven Deadly Sins... -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
To the Seven Deadly Sins we ought to add an eighth.
John Calvin well captures the main... -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
John Calvin well captures the main point of Jesus' teachings in the gospel: "For those who fear God.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 (2014) -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Joshua 24:1-3a
Shechem was appropriate for... -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Shechem was appropriate for this meeting since it was the place where they had the first covenant af
Over the years many people... -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Over the years many people impacted my life for the good.
Statistics from the Center for... -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Statistics from the Center for Disease Control indicate that 1 in 20 Americans are depressed.
Dressed in rags, the South... -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Dressed in rags, the South Carolina delegate who signed the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Heyw
Missionary Jerry Porter wrote... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Missionary Jerry Porter wrote in a sermon titled "From Generation to Generation" that Dr. L.
This passage seems to say... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
This passage seems to say that there is a time value in our faith.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2014) -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
Judges 4:1-7
There are three festivals... -- Judges 4:1-7 -- Ron Love -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
There are three festivals that all male Jews living within twenty miles of Jerusalem were required t
A 2010 study of the Hartford... -- Judges 4:1-7 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
A 2010 study of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research revealed a glass ceiling for women in c
In my last pastoral assignment... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
In my last pastoral assignment I lived in a parsonage, but my congregation gave me the privilege of

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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