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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Preparing for the fulfillment -- Isaiah 28:14-22, Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-29, Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
If death is a closing of the eyes to the segment of life we play out this side of eternity, then lik
Leveraging the family genome -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Roman historian, Herodotus, told of the pride the Egyptians had in being the oldest
The cross of repentance -- Psalm 51:1-13, Joel 2:12-19, Matthew 6:1-6 -- Ash Wednesday - A
Mardi Gras! Festivals of light! Great crowds gathering to have fun.
Unity -- Psalm 19:7-14, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Surely one of the constant themes of the New Testament is a call to unity.
For all the saints -- Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21, Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27, Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - C
"For all the saints who from their labors rest...!" Today we sharpen our memories, and focus our att
New Age religion -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
What has been called New Age religion has been with us for a while now.
Upside-down kingdom -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
In his classic book, Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift takes the reader on an adventure thro
Christian (Version 7.0) -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8, Psalm 126 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Personality tests, such as the Meyers-Briggs, will place two-word sets side by side and ask the part
God's Intentions -- Ezekiel 2:1-5, Mark 6:7-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
The full gospel -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-9, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
There wasn't much sophistication about the preaching of John the Baptist.
Covenant: the next generation -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
One of the central concepts of the Bible is the "covenant." A covenant is a contract-plus.
When the crows come home to roost -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21, Galatians 6:7-18, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
The Sundays after Pentecost and Trinity traditionally have focused on the growth in the Christian li
Heaven on their minds -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 12 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
At the opening of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar, Judas laments, "A
The deed in the jar -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
If I've read it once, I've read it a dozen times: the religious thriller, where the plot hinges on a
A share of the Spirit -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
"Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it." Now there is a bit of sage advice tha
Hearers of the Terrible Words -- Isaiah 66:18-23, Hebrews 12:18-24, Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
If one is not careful, she can so focus attention on the terrible judgmental words of the selections
Do you see what I see? -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, Psalm 20 -- David Kalas -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Sellers will sometimes advertise with the initials "WYSIWYG" -- What you see is what
When the predictions become reality -- Isaiah 66:16-23, Hebrews 12:18-24, Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Most of the time, I think the predictions of the Bible, especially those related to the coming of th
When silence is not golden! -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
The avalanche of dealings we have had these past weeks with sin, impending judgment and the call for
Married to God -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
For this Sunday, the lessons have a positive, happy view, as might be expected in this season of Epi
God of the ages -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
What is the relationship between the past, the present, and the future?
No Free Ride -- Malachi 4:1-6, Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
In Luke 12 the story is told of a rich man who had more than he knew what to do with.
Holding up when sag-time strikes -- Luke 18:1-8, Exodus 17:8-13 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Plop! Plop!
Prophets -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Unfortunately for us the word "prophet" has come to be a kind of category word that embraces a
From God to us -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14, Psalm 98 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A
There will be a lot of present-opening these days.

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) in July 2012 cast her 5,000th consecutive vote in the Senate.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
In her book The Undoing of Death, Fleming Rutledge explores the meaning of the cross by refer
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
A 2008 Pew Forum poll revealed that 65% of the American public believe that many religions (not just
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
I have often had church members ask me, "How can I love God with my heart, soul, strength, and mind
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Wherever Anne went, she ran each morning.
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Donald Sadoway, 62, is an MIT engineer. His specialty is liquid-metal batteries.
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Consider the shape of the cross; it visually summarizes for us the two great commandments.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2012) -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
NULL -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Ted Geisel of Springfield, Massachusetts, wanted to be a writer.
NULL -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
The whole story of Ruth is full of surprises. The surprising loyalty to a mother-in-law.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Al-jen Poo, 38, is the daughter of pro-democracy immigrants from Chiang Kai-shek's Taiwan.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
The church I attend in retirement meets in a storefront sanctuary.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (part of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Mrs. Edwards had a passion for teaching.
NULL -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Our lesson is all about giving, not about how much to give, but the spirit of giving.
NULL -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Billy Sunday was a major league baseball player turned evangelist.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2012) -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 1:4-20
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Does prayer work? Hannah prayed and trusted God; she received a son.
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
"God's not answering my prayer. Why don't my children call me or visit?
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Juan Manuel Santos is Colombia's turnaround man.
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
We all have favorites. Jesus' favorite disciple was John.
NULL -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all th
NULL -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Our lesson suggests that the sacrifice of Christ gives confidence to enter into the presence of God
NULL -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Ron Love -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Yoga instructor Alice Van Ness was terminated from her position at the Menlo Park campus of Facebook
NULL -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
What happened to peace on earth? Why do we have to put up with all these birth pangs?

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Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
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Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For September 21, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Well, it’s autumn, and by now the seeds we planted in the spring either took root and produced or else the weather, pests, rabbits, or our own laziness conspired to make this year’s garden less than a success. But at one point we had to get started and actually plant seeds for the future.

Jeremiah is looking back from the perspective of our spiritual well-being and laments than our spiritual harvest has all been for naught. He wonders if it is now too late for a recovery. Is there no healing, no balm in Gilead, to apply to our wounds?
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
In the spring as farmers and gardeners prepare to plant we are looking at a summer of possibilities. Hard work, to be sure, but also potential. What will happen? What will this season be like? At summer’s end there will be no more questions. We’ll know. Maybe it was a great season, and we have canned or frozen many vegetables. Maybe the farmers have brought in a bumper crop and they got a good price besides.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message will be based on a game you will play. See the note below.

NOTE: Ask three or more adults to come up and play the role of Simon for your group. Tell them to all speak at once, asking the children to do different things. The goal is to create a nice bit of confusion for the children to experience.

* * *

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

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hey!” Annie waved at the woman standing next to the open doorway. “Can you come here?”

The woman made her way past the other nursing home residents and stood next to Annie’s wheelchair.

“What can I do for you?”

“You look familiar.” Annie squinted at her. “Do I know your name?”

“I’m Brenda.” The woman pointed at her name tag. “I work in the kitchen and sometimes help serve the meals when they are ready.”

“That’s right. I think we’ve met before.” Annie tapped her lips with her finger. “You have the nice smile.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” In our worship today let us remember the little things in our lives and ask God to help us to be utterly faithful in them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we pretend that little sins don't matter.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we imagine that you don't notice little sins.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer as a person of faith. If we believe we are truly part of God's community, then the destruction of that community -- as was the case with Israel in 587 B.C. -- becomes a time for doubt, anger, and confusion. Furthermore, if we believe we are individual members of that community, our personal suffering also creates an opportunity for a crisis of faith: "Why didn't God protect me?" Of course, it does not take a national catastrophe to raise those sorts of questions.
Kirk R. Webster
If feedback is the breakfast of champions, perhaps we would do well to examine some of our prayer habits. If you have ever heard someone use The Just Really Prayer, you know exactly what problem we are talking about.

That prayer goes something like this, "Lord, we just really thank you for this day. We come before you and just really pray for mercy. We offer ourselves to you and just really ask that your will be done in our lives. Amen." I'm thankful this particular Just Really prayer was mercifully short, unlike the next example, The Good Guilt-Based Prayer.
John W. Wurster
Another season has come and gone. Promises that were made have not been fulfilled. Good intentions haven't yielded any tangible results. Dreams have not come true. High hopes have proven to be only wishful thinking. Nothing has really changed; nothing has really improved. The time keeps moving along, but we seem stuck in the same ruts. Old routines remain, prejudices persist, dullness and anxiety continue to be constant companions. Lingering in the air is that nagging sense that things aren't quite right, not as they could be, not as they should be.
R. Robert Cueni
In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest employee who was praised for his dishonesty. In this story Jesus not only seems comfortable suggesting that it is acceptable to compromise with moral failings, but our Lord appears to commend his disciples to "go and do likewise." For centuries, preachers, commentators, and scholars have struggled to make sense of this outrageous tale.

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