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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The face at the center of history -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
My friend is an agnostic. He grew up in a Christian family where church participation
Do you really want to be in that number? -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44, Psalm 24 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
I have to admit that Monty Python's Flying Circus is an acquired taste. Yet,
Values clarification -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34, Psalm 146 -- David Kalas -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
Sometimes in conversation with friends, we will amuse ourselves -- or torment ourselves
Acts of consecration -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44, Psalm 127 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
While one of our daughters was serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana, she was
Propping up or opening up -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
It is never a good place to be when you feel that you are loosing it. When clearly marked
He doth provide -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33, Psalm 126 -- David Kalas -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
Henry Alford's familiar hymn, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come," so often sung at this
Majesty -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Several generations ago, King George and Queen Elizabeth went to a London theater to
That'll be the day -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36, Psalm 25:1-10 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Approaching Advent and Christmas, it feels like the ante has been upped, the stakes have
Hitting out of the rough -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b -- David Kalas -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2005
Note: This installment was originally published in 2005.
The long and winding road -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
The "journey" is a favorite image for spiritual growth. It fits the subject in so many ways.
Returning from exile -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2004
Recent biblical scholarship has placed tremendous emphasis on the ways that the scriptural tradition
Can I get a witness? -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
I was in a most meaningful worship not long ago. The singing was wondrous.
While you wait -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36, Psalm 25:1-10 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
What is the relationship between waiting and probability?
Happily ever after? -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22) -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
I went to the movie About Schmidt really expecting to enjoy it. I like Jack Nicholson a lot.
God's greatness (and ours) -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2003
When my son was in middle school he was assigned to make a timeline poster of the history of ancient
The Christmas visitor -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2003
If some visitor from another part of the universe came to Earth during the Christmas season, I wonde
Spirit-person -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2003
Who could have imagined that the top-grossing movie of the past year in America would be Spider-Man.
Even apostles hate passing the hat -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 130 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2003
If you are like most pastors, then you probably dread preaching the annual stewardship sermon or (ga
I choose you -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
In John 15:16, Jesus says, "You did not choose me but I chose you.
Lost to all but God -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52, Psalm 148 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
It was a few weeks before Christmas, about 10 years ago.
Battles and storms -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, Mark 4:35-41, Psalm 9:9-20 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2003
It was a scene from vacation Bible school that I will never forget.
Perceiving new things in the kingdom of God -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12, Psalm 41 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2003
Most brides and grooms don't seem to have much investment in the selection of scripture for the wedd
Eating humble pie -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
My family lives in a typical, middle-class suburb just outside the nation's capital.
A wake for Death itself -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44, Psalm 146 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
My friend has the oddest idea: He wants to have his wake before he dies.
"Of signs and of things signified" -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
Not too long ago I attended a preaching conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Over 46 million Americans... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - B -- 2014
Over 46 million Americans live in poverty.
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 2 (2015) -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
Jeremiah 31:7-14
How many times has that... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
How many times has that been sung by the Israelites?
The prophet Jeremiah tells... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
The prophet Jeremiah tells the people of Israel that their mourning will be turned to gladness and g
When a little girl's letter... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
When a little girl's letter to Legos went viral asking why the company did not have a line of toys f
Predestination: This is nothing... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
Predestination: This is nothing more than saying that God's love is a little like that of a Father l
John tells us that Jesus... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
John tells us that Jesus is the word who became flesh. He is God incarnate.
The word was Jesus... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
The word was Jesus. He was with God in the beginning and he was God. There is only one God.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of Our Lord (2015) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
Isaiah 60:1-6
We need light in the midst... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
We need light in the midst of our darkness our lesson proclaims.
When Dr. Kent Brantly was... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
When Dr.
This is Paul writing to the church... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
This is Paul writing to the church at Ephesus that Christ brings freedom and confidence to all who w
How many I knew in Nepal... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
How many I knew in Nepal who were prisoners because of Jesus.
James Foley was the American... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
James Foley was the American journalist from Rochester, New Hampshire, who was kidnapped on Thanksgi
Epiphany continues the celebration... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
Epiphany continues the celebration of Christmas.
Sermon Illustrations for Baptism of Our Lord (2015) -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Genesis 1:1-5
Just like the creation narrative... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Just like the creation narrative tells of the beginning of life so baptism is the symbol of God's be
I suppose some would say... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Bob Ove -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
I suppose some would say "in the big bang." I'm not sure it makes much difference how God does thing
Baptism and the Holy Spirit... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Baptism and the Holy Spirit belong together intimately according to Luke.
Marcus Mariota has been... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Ron Love -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
Marcus Mariota has been the starting quarterback for Oregon since the 2012 season.
His message is one of baptism... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Bob Ove -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
His message is one of baptism. That seems to be the beginning our Christian walk.
The pastor of the church... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
The pastor of the church that I attended as a child told the congregation that he would be holding a
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 (2015) -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
The New York Times has... -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
The New York Times has a column called the "Corner Office" in which they interview the CEO of
Our text is all about the... -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
Our text is all about the surprising ways in which God operates, how God took the little boy Samuel

Political Pulpit

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The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
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

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For September 28, 2025:
  • Money! Money! Money! by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. “This is the even-handed dealing of the world! There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!” — Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
The president of the college I attended was the kind of man who always said what was on his mind. He had a very healthy self-image and wasn’t concerned about how people might take him. At one of the graduation ceremonies, he stood at the podium, looked out over the huge crowd of people, shook his head, and said to himself (right into the microphone, of course), “All these Christians in one place, and no one’s taking an offering!”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
The lesson makes clear that God is present in the world of business, in our daily work.  John Wesley offered thoughtful reflections on the nature of work; he noted:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. (vv. 14-15)

One morning last October, Bruce Klemm got up and sang a song to his wife, Virginia, as he has done every morning of the 42 years they have been married. Little did he know that within a few hours, he would be calling her to say goodbye.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told a story about a rich man and a beggar to illustrate the way in which we fail to notice those who are poor. In our worship today let us remember the poor and ask God to teach us a real concern for them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we fail notice some people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we deliberately leave people out.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we care only about ourselves.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Lent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 9-16.)

The writer of this psalm deftly employs a striking image, that at once offers us hope in times of trouble -- but at the same time, redefines for us what it means to be a human being in the world.

Schuyler Rhodes
Many Christians can be heard in or out of worship these days as they lift up their voices and say, "Praise the Lord!" The phrases are familiar, almost rote. Mouths open and words emerge. Pastors and liturgists remind the faithful that this God is not only worthy of our praise; this God sort of requires it of us. This God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5) who brooks no competition from other gods we might pursue. Yes, God is worthy of praise. Right?
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
It always amazes me when I read about a sports figure who decides to hold out for more money. With salaries that are often in the millions, they feel underpaid unless they are at the next level. I heard one player say to a reporter on Sports Center, "It's not about the money. It is about respect." A few moments later, the host of the show made the comment, "When they say it isn't about the money, it's always about the money."

Chrysanne Timm
As we conclude several weeks of readings in the book of the prophet Jeremiah and next week look at the companion text from the book of Lamentations, a common thread begins to emerge. It is the thread of grief. Jeremiah has been called by God to a truly thankless job -- that of accompanying the people of his homeland into a time of loss and grief. Because of decades of idolatry and treaties with neighboring nations, the people of Judah will lose the land God once graciously gave to their ancestors.
R. Robert Cueni
The lesson for today continues the discussion on the proper use of material possessions by describing what happens when a person tries to "serve both God and wealth" (Luke 16:13). Today's Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus leaves us repulsed by the gory details, puzzled by the literal description of eternal life, and hopeful that the Lord didn't really mean all those terrible things about the punishment due us "Haves" for our treatment of the "Have Nots."

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Good morning, boys and girls. I brought some coins with me this morning. (Show the coins.) How many of these coins would it take to be rich? (Let them respond.) I think it would take millions of these coins before you would really be rich. How many of you would like to be rich? (Wait for show of hands.) I think most of us would like to be rich. What would you think if you had a wish that everything you touched turned to gold? (Let them respond.) You would soon have lots and lots of gold and you would quickly be very, very rich. There's a famous story about a man who had

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