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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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.
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
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.
Caught by grace -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1995
A pastor was asked why he never delivered a sermon about sin.
Famine in the midst of plenty -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1995
"One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy
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.
Sounds like a job for Superman or Wonder Woman -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1995
See, today I appoint you overnations and over kingdoms,
God always comes -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
During my growing up years we had no family automobile. My father walked to work and home again.
The seeing and hearing of God -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 1995
Some commentaries and many sermons treat the narrative of the transfiguration as a literal and fleet
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1995
*Editor's note: Charting The Course for Sunday, November 5, 1995, highlights the lectionary texts fo
The passion according to Luke -- Luke 23:1-49 -- Passion Sunday - C -- 1995
Some of us will remember when the fifth Sunday in Lent was called Passion Sunday.
Without fear or favor -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 1995
Gathered around Jesus in Luke's narrative of the Sermon on the Plain are the representatives of two
That old time religion -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
That old time religionGive me that old time religion,that old time religion.
Language, community and relationship -- Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1995
How does the preacher cope with those Sundays of the year that carry a specific theme?

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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
Children are... -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Children are an important part of the scriptures.
This close to... -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
This close to Christmas we are led to think of children and their welfare.
A servant could... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
A servant could mean a slave, or it could mean the messenger of a king -- a high officer in the roya
This passage... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
This passage deals with the entrance of the Savior on the planet earth.
The story... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The story of Mary's pregnancy and eventual virgin birth is a problem for some American Christians.
The Fourth... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The Fourth Ecumenical Council, also known as the Council of Chalcedon, was a church council held fro
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2013) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
The people who walked in darkness are the outsiders who have no faith and are not the favored ones.
God's grace... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
God's grace has appeared in Jesus Christ to offer salvation (God's forgiveness) to all people accord
Twentieth-century... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
Twentieth-century Anglo-American novelist Taylor Caldwell compellingly captured the meaning of Chris
The European... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
The European countries in the late 1800s needed colonies.
This passage... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
This passage presents a problem for some. How literally should we take every passage in scripture?

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