Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Invitations -- Acts 4:32-35; 3:13-15, 17-26, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35; 3:13-15, 17-26 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
One of the interesting things about the Old and New Testaments is their use of the word "therefore."
The wedding hour -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
The wedding liturgy in my denomination begins with a paragraph that includes this line: "Our Lord Je
From chills to thrills -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 130 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
There are words and phrases in our culture that are guaranteed to send chills up and down
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."
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
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
Believing then seeing -- Genesis 18:1-10, Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Believing and seeing are intricately wrapped up with one another.
On high alert -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- David Kalas -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
If the pitcher spends too much time fingering the rosin bag or peddling the dirt on the mound or loo
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
Maundy -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Maundy Thursday - C
The word "maundy" means commandment -- "this I command you."
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.
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
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

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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
When Judas had to be replaced by a new apostle... -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Ron Love -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When Judas had to be replaced by a new apostle, the Christian community was scrutinized for the two
Tony Campolo cites a Fortune magazine article... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Tony Campolo cites a Fortune magazine article telling how young men and women entering the bu
We live in a politically correct world... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Craig Kelly -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
We live in a politically correct world. Tolerance is a key word in today's society.
Ken and Carol Dorushka were having their morning cup of coffee... -- John 17:6-19 -- Ron Love -- 2012
Ken and Carol Dorushka were having their morning cup of coffee, when Carol mentioned she needed some
Sermon Illustrations for Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Acts 2:1-21
Leslie Weatherhead was an outstanding English Methodist preacher... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Leslie Weatherhead was an outstanding English Methodist preacher and writer who tells of a visit to
Why do we live as Christians?... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Craig Kelly -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Why do we live as Christians?
In the movie Star Wars... -- Romans 8:22-27 -- Ron Love -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Paul wrote "that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains" in expectation of a Savior.
It's funny how looking at the ideal of something... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Craig Kelly -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
It's funny how looking at the ideal of something shows us how far away we are from it.
Anne Lamott in her best-selling book, Traveling Mercies... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Anne Lamott in her best-selling book, Traveling Mercies tells of her fear at the appearance o
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2012) -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
Isaiah 6:1-8
In the early 1800s the Sisters of Mercy... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
In the early 1800s the Sisters of Mercy were organized in Ireland.
In 1901 President William B. McKinley visited Niagara Falls... -- John 3:1-17 -- Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2012
In 1901 President William B. McKinley visited Niagara Falls.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Ascension of the Lord
25 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
19 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
27 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
20 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
22 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Pentecost
33 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Elena Delhagen
For May 19, 2024:
  • Dry Bones or Dancing Bones by Dean Feldmeyer based on Ezekiel 37:1-14. “Hope means to keep living amid desperation and to keep humming in the darkness.”  Henri J.M. Nouwen

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Pentecost accents the belief that the Christian church is a Spirit movement, not another world institution. Imagine a pastor who is on the denomination committee for examining pastoral candidates that are on various points along their journey toward ordination either before, during or just after completion of seminary/Bible college training. All the pastoral candidates are excited about their future of making a positive change and impression on the churches they serve.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Acts 2:1-21
Martin Luther viewed Pentecost as a day of celebration, as on a sermon in the topic he noted “it was on this present Pentecost Day that the joyful blessed and lovely kingdom of Christ was established, a kingdom filled with joy, courage, and certainty.”  Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.152) Awareness of the Holy Spirit is a big part of the joy and certainty Pentecost brings.  John Wesley, then, offers a timely warning about how not to lose a sense of the Spirit and the joy and confidence this insight offers.  He wrote:

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“I’m not sure why we’re doing this,” Ollie muttered to himself as he took his place on the bandstand. He unpacked his guitar and played a few chords to make sure that it was in tune. “The acoustics are better in the church building.”

“They may be,” Todd said raising his voice over the sounds of the busy park. “Going to be a noisy afternoon from the sounds of it.”

“Huh?” Ollie looked over at his smiling friend. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“You’re just saying what we’re all thinking, isn’t he Wendy?’

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: Today’s message will include a role-play. You will need one child to play the role of the shepherd and the rest of the children will be the people from town. I usually pick an outgoing child for my shepherd so they will act out a bit. Encourage everyone to have fun and ham it up a bit.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
As I recall, there was a mighty, rushing wind at the last Bank Holiday weekend. It didn't herald the coming of God quite as much as the coming of a mighty, rushing rain, and for many unfortunate people, substantial flooding. And it was accompanied by considerable power, for it uprooted and destroyed one of our laburnum trees.

SermonStudio

Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
The Holy Spirit gets around. Historically the church has also commemorated its origins on this festival. In some traditions, confirmation is celebrated.

Collect of the Day
Petitions are offered that the Spirit come and transform the faithful to give them language to proclaim the word. The Holy Spirit, Justification (by Grace), Sanctification, and Evangelism are emphasized.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
* Hymn to God the creator; praise for God's providential interventions.
James Evans
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)

Elizabeth Achtemeier
On the previous Sundays of this Eastertide, we have heard the risen Christ tell his followers to remain in Jerusalem until he sends the Holy Spirit upon them. That will enable them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Having promised that, he ascended into heaven, to rule over all at the right hand of the Father. That promise was spoken during the forty days that the Lord was with the apostles and disciples after his resurrection.
Arthur H. Kolsti
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord to the breath, prophesy mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
-- Ezekiel 37:4-10
Ron Lavin
The Holy Spirit is called "your Advocate" in the New English Bible translation of John 15:26. Other translations may be helpful in understanding the meaning of the Holy Spirit. The King James Version uses the term "The Comforter." The Revised Standard Version and the New International Version use the term "The Counselor." The Phillips translation and the Barclay translation call the Holy Spirit "The Helper." I like the title "The Advocate" best of all. This term "The Adovcate" includes comforting, counseling, and helping.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL