Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Ascension perspective -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1996
To love is to serve -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1996
The scenario continues from a week ago. Then it was complaining for lack of bread and meat.
The mysterious Trinity -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1996
A light to the nations -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1996
The second "Servant Song" continues the theme of the universal intent of the God of Israel and thus
Christ crucified -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1996
Give us this day -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1996
The signs of grace continue, in spite of the resumption of complaints.
Seeing the glory of God -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1996
Be dazzled -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1996
Theophany: a word we do not use today except in specialized classrooms, signals the "-phany" or appe
Leaps of understanding -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - 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
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.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Paul is hinting... -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Bob Ove -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
Paul is hinting that we have no excuse for not serving our Lord in whatever he gives us to do for hi
Paul encourages the... -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
Paul encourages the Colossians to be strong, endure everything, and give thanks.
We need to expand... -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
We need to expand our horizon beyond that of Paris Hilton, whose life's philosophy never transcends
How can we say... -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
How can we say Christ is King in view of the natural catastrophes that befall our nation, in view of
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2013) -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
Isaiah 65:17-25
A few years ago... -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
A few years ago, Suzanne Collins wrote a popular trilogy that began with The Hunger Games.
This text is so... -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
This text is so different from the one in Habakkuk where the Lord does not seem to be answering.
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

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL