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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Seeing the glory of God -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1996
Remember and act -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 1996
Three actions -- the passing over of the houses of Israel while they hurriedly feast, the blessing o
Leaps of understanding -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 1996
Faith -- pure and simple -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1996
To believe is not very complicated.
Reverent fear -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1996
Good for you! -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1996
Today's English Version of the Bible suggests that Jesus' word to Peter, "Blessed are you, Simon so
Promise and fulfillment -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - A -- 1996
Let's have a parade! -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1996
Unless you happen to serve in a recreation/vacation area where you are blessed with summertime visi
Reforming worship -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1996
Something to shout about -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1996
We had part of this text for our lesson on the third Sunday in Advent.
Choose life -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1996
Finally! It's all right to celebrate Christmas -- Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
We have followed the fortunes -- and misfortunes -- of the people of Israel for many weeks.
Awe-inspired action -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1996
God calls -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 1996
We wish we knew or could know more about the nature of faith.
Back to life -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1996
Dry bones. Fleshly living. Stinking body in the grave. This is not a day for natural exuberance.
A taxing question -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
Will it ever end!
Is your world too small? -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1996
I am fascinated by the writings and television work of Dr. Carl Sagan, the American astronomer.
How to change God's mind -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1996
With Moses absent for a brief time the people begin to doubt.
God is there -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - A -- 1996
I don't know whence it came or why and how it sticks in the mind, but from sermon research twoscore
God self-revealed -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1996
I once counted 27 electrical switches that I touch to get the day going: lights, alarm clocks, b
Braving the waters -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
After the encounter with the Risen Lord and their ordination to mission Peter announces to the rest
Contrasting scenes -- Jezebel to Joanna -- 1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 1995
One of the great stories of the Old Testament greets us in the first reading for this Sunday.
A time to get personal -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 1995
Ash Wednesday services are well-rooted in some traditions and absent in others though an increasing
The written word and the living word -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 1995
Out of the Old Testament reading for this day verse eight of the eighth chapter of Nehemiah leaps ou
Beating down the devil -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 1995
Ask me if I believe in the devil and I would have to answer this way.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

This is a dangerous... -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
This is a dangerous text, easily distorted.
This verse could... -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
This verse could refer to the beautifully fitted stones and jewels in the temple wall.
Not one stone... -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
"...
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2013) -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 2:1-5
We can preach... -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
We can preach from our pulpits with confidence about the consequence of sin, and we can often be mor
The text refers... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The text refers to the darkness and drunkenness/addictions of the present age, calling us to get rea
Christ came into... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Christ came into the world to forgive sin.
Charles Darwin in... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Charles Darwin in the 1830s theorized the concept of natural selection and the succeeding concept of
That first sentence... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
That first sentence should make fools of the ones who claim to know more than our Lord, who, this pa
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2013) -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 11:1-10
In the summer... -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
In the summer of 2013 the Madame Tussauds wax museums in Berlin and Amsterdam added a life-size figu
According to... -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
According to Prairie Overcomer the story is told of Crowfoot, chief of the Blackfoot confeder
The text makes... -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The text makes clear that the Messiah is concerned with justice, especially for the poor.
The instruction... -- Romans 15:4-13 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The instruction book for life is our Bible.
John the Baptist... -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
John the Baptist called his followers, calls us, to repentance!
The renegade... -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The renegade prophet/preacher used his human voice to articulate a message from God.
Carol Klein... -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Carol Klein, with schoolbooks under one arm and a sheet of music under the other, got off the expres
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 3 (2013) -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 35:1-10
"Desert" often... -- Isaiah 35:1-10 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
"Desert" often referred to spiritual desolation.
We have all... -- James 5:7-10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
We have all heard that patience is a virtue.
Most people... -- James 5:7-10 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Most people I know do not have the virtue known as patience.
It is documented... -- James 5:7-10 -- Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
It is documented that hymn singing continued to be a part of worship throughout the span of the earl
Don't we like... -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Don't we like to be sure? Was John an agnostic? Did he doubt who Jesus was?
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2013) -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 7:10-16
Bobby McFerrin... -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Bobby McFerrin is best known to us for his iconic 1988 feel-good hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." S

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
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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

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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