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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hearts under construction -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
It was the late 1970s ...
The road to redemption -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
Last summer my family and I moved from the East Coast to the Midwest.
Life goes on -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
October 27 this year is the Sunday before "All Saints Day." That festival day in the church on Novem
What's so good about Good Friday? -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42, Psalm 22 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
One of my favorite movies of all time is the 1956 classic titled Twelve Angry Men featuring an all-s
Night of light -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20, Psalm 96 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
One of the great cultural traditions of modern American Christmas observance is the use of lights.
God's top-ten list -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2002
One of the staples of The Late Show with David Letterman has long been its nightly top-ten list.
The "Not-Me" gremlin -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
One of the tasks that I always squeeze somewhere into my day is to read the newspaper.
King for a day -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2001
Each year, in communities across the country, high school students are given the opportunity to beco
Surviving for real! -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2001
Earlier this year the nation was captivated by the television series Survivor -- the Outback.
The goodness that roared -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
In the study of the martial arts, the student learns the difference between the good, the higher goo
Life's fundamentals -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2001
Erik Erikson, noted American psychiatrist, has observed that there are two basic needs in all of hum
Experience Jesus and know God -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2001
In this age of computers and the Internet, there is so much information "out there" to access.
Grown-up gratitude -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35, Psalm 100 -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2001
Every parent has been through it.
Witness: suffering and rejoicing with hope -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
Is the church living post-Christendom or post-Easter?
Love is mercy unending -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, Luke 6:27-38 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2001
Every year at this time, younger and older lovers alike enjoy the rituals of Valentine's Day.
Passion for God -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2001
It would not be difficult to look around in our world and identify passionate people.
Happy Easter -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
On the first Sunday after Thanksgiving the little box began to appear.
Searching for truth in all the wrong places -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2001
Gods and goddesses are plentiful these days, luring adherents into strange expressions of faith.
Prophecy manifest -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2001
One of the best known lines from the movie Jerry McGuire is "Show me the money!" The athlete
In all the wrong places -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2001
Have you heard about the Question Box?
Get it straight -- get it right -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
One of the echoes reverberating through a young child's mind (and an adult's memory) is that of Moth
What fragrance fills your house? -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
How can the world be a safe place?
Life in the waiting lane -- Haggai 1:15b-2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2001
How long did it take you to get to work today?
Scripture and history fulfilled -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C -- 2001
Our new American president has been elected and has been in office now nearly the first 100 days.
Living forward in the present -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
"I felt almost guilty thinking too much of heaven." That is what David Burton, a Southern Baptist tu

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Lent 5 (2013) -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Isaiah 43:16-21
NULL -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
I'm sure the writer was thinking of Pharaoh's chariots, which drowned in the sea to save God's peopl
NULL -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
"What you did was wrong, John," Mary sternly reminded him, which she really did not have to do becau
NULL -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Ron Love -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
The honesty and integrity of George Washington is often associated with the story that after he chop
NULL -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Orienting your life by the past is not the Christian way, Paul proclaims in this lesson.
NULL -- John 12:1-8 -- Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Beware you church treasures!
NULL -- John 12:1-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Dewey had the thickest, blackest head of hair of anyone in the class.
Sermon Illustrations for Palm/Passion Sunday (2013) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
Isaiah 50:4-9a
NULL -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Ron Love -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
Dennis and Peter Gaffney wrote a book titled The Seven-Day Scholar: The Presidents, in which
NULL -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
Our lesson, the Third Servant Song, about the Suffering Servant whom Deutero-Isaiah describes, refer
NULL -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Bob Ove -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
How important am I? I am certainly above many I see around me. I pay my income tax!
NULL -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
A quick look in Roget's Thesaurus reveals these words that explore the meaning of empty, whet
NULL -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Ron Love -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
George Washington's father died when he was eleven.
NULL -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
The Passion Sunday gospel reveals how insidious our sin is.
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2013) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
NULL -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
The Revolutionary War was not going well for the Americans, as the British were continually defeatin
NULL -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
The lesson portrays the Servant who suffers for us, the Messiah on the cross, as undesirable in appe
NULL -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Bob Ove -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
God makes contracts with us, but he plants them in our hearts and minds.
NULL -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Archaeologists in the Holy Land and in other scattered Jewish settlements throughout the Middle East
NULL -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
During the French and Indian War, George Washington was accompanying General Edward Braddock on his
NULL -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Again and again we become Peter, repeating his denials of Jesus with the way we live.
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2013) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
Acts 10:34-43
NULL -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Bob Ove -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
We like that God doesn't show favoritism, but too often we do.
NULL -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
Before the days of texting and Twitter, people actually had to talk with one another.
NULL -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Ron Love -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
Perhaps Phillips Brooks has given us one of the best definitions of preaching when he wrote that pre

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 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
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29 – Worship Resources
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
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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, wild fires, 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 September 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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