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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Small, medium, or large? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- David Kalas -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
With a national election still large in our rearview mirror, it's an easy thing for us to be preoccu
The cosmic Christ -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Happy New Year!
Response -- 1 Kings 2:1, 6-14, Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
All three of the Scriptures for this Sunday have to do with different kinds of responses to God's gi
Great awakenings -- Isaiah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Unexpected change may be good or bad.
Spirited speech -- Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C
The issue of communication, godly and human, forms the common bond among the Pentecost texts.
The God Who Saves -- Psalm 117, Isaiah 55:10-13, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C
Sometimes I hear people talking as if God were some sort of tyrant who was forever either tempting u
Suffering -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
No issue has been so difficult for Judaism and Christianity than suffering.
Children of the Heavenly Father -- Zechariah 12:7-10, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
I can remember as though it were yesterday the birth of our first son.
Etiquette for God's realm -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
It has happened to me often enough in my ministry that I must conclude that it is a common experienc
Commandment -- Exodus 34:3-11, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (18-21), Mark 14:12-26 -- Maundy Thursday - B
"Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
Words on singed lips -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 138 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
You can always tell the prophets by the scars on their lips.
Theme and Season -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
If the spirit of expectancy and anticipation is appropriate at Advent it is clear that a question a
Realism -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, John 12:9-19, Colossians 1:11-20 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
All through this series of lessons I have been referring to realism as if all of us understood its m
Christmas lights -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
Editor's note: Because some churches now use the Epiphany Day lections instead of th
Eternity Present with Us -- Psalm 47, Acts 16:16-34 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Very often I hear someone speak of eternity in terms that give me pause.
Advent's long promises -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - B
The lectionary permits an easy move from the end of one church year to the beginning of another.
Maundy -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Maundy Thursday - C
The word "maundy" means commandment -- "this I command you."
Covenant -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:7-10, John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Sometimes I hear persons talking about their relationship to God as though they're bargaining with h
The price of loving! -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Galatians 4:4-7, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Now come the bills! Christmas is a time of exhilarating gift giving.
Ultimately! -- Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
One of the little books that ought to be required reading for every Christian is The Will of God
Good cop, bad cop -- 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
I do not watch a lot of entertainment television (most days none at all), but there is one televisio
Anxiety -- Psalm 127, Genesis 15:1-12, 17, 18, Luke 13:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
It is a good exercise to contrast Abram's anxiety about his future with the assurance on the part of
The unwelcome work of God -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Doctors and dentists: They are the patron saints of unwelcome work.
A watery grave -- Mark 1:9-15, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Genesis 9:8-17 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday in Lent - B
A photograph of the earth from outer space reveals how much of our world is water.
God's Initiative -- Psalm 34:1-8 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
If you attend enough revival meetings, you can soon come to the conclusion that salvation is somethi

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Ever watch one of those paranormal investigation shows... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Ever watch one of those paranormal investigation shows, like SyFy's Ghost Hunters?
Bill Tammeus in his article... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Bill Tammeus in his article "Facing Funerals, Affirming Faith" in The Presbyterian Outlook ar
Sermon Illustrations for the Fourth Sunday after Easter (2012) -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 4:5-12
Peter proclaims in his sermon that Jesus is the "cornerstone"... -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Peter proclaims in his sermon that Jesus is the "cornerstone" on which the church is built.
Debra Farrington calls our attention to a children's book... -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Debra Farrington calls our attention to a children's book written by Kenneth Grahame titled Wind
It is so easy for us to look at our bank accounts and think that we're not making a lot of money... -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Craig Kelly -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
It is so easy for us to look at our bank accounts and think that we're not making a lot of money.
When Melinda Gates returned from Bangladesh... -- John 10:11-18 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When Melinda Gates returned from Bangladesh, she shared what she learned about the humanitarian work
Sermon Illustrations for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 8:26-40
In the musical Rent... -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
In the musical Rent the hit song "Seasons of Love" speaks of 526,600 minutes in a year.
When the British monarch is coronated... -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When the British monarch is coronated, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland gives the new king or
When Melinda Gates returned from Bangladesh... -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Ron Love -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When Melinda Gates returned from Bangladesh where she observed the humanitarian work being performed
Not all of us farm or tend gardens anymore... -- John 15:1-8 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Not all of us farm or tend gardens anymore, so for some, this illustration may not be quite as illum
New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright tells... -- John 15:1-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright tells of learning to prune roses.
Sermon Illustrations for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 10:44-48
Sid Cook, 59, is a fourth generation Wisconsin cheese maker... -- Acts 10:44-48 -- Ron Love -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Sid Cook, 59, is a fourth generation Wisconsin cheese maker.
The late Peter Gomes once commented on Eastern Orthodox baptism... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
The late Peter Gomes once commented on Eastern Orthodox baptism and said: "...
Whenever immigrants to the United States become naturalized citizens... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Craig Kelly -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Whenever immigrants to the United States become naturalized citizens, they are required to take an o
John spoke to his followers -- John 15:9-17 -- Ron Love -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
John spoke to his followers as "friends" because of the love he had for them.
Sermon Illustrations for Ascension of the Lord (2012) -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
Acts 1:1-11
In classic western films... -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Craig Kelly -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
In classic western films, there is the cliché ending of riding off into the sunset.
Max Lucado in his book, Just Like Jesus... -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
Max Lucado in his book, Just Like Jesus, cites an episode from his experience of being a tran
In the comedy film The Money Pit... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Ron Love -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
In the comedy film The Money Pit, Tom Hanks and Shelly Long play a young couple in New York C
I've grown to really enjoy cooking over the years... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Craig Kelly -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
I've grown to really enjoy cooking over the years.
One of the great passions of Bono... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
One of the great passions of Bono, the lead singer of the rock band U2 is to end Third World debts a
Sermon Illustrations for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

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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