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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

"X" marks the spot -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Psalm 119:129-136 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
God works in hidden ways.
More than meets the eye -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
In many congregations this Sunday after Labor Day marks the transition from the lessened activity of
Search and preserve mission -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- William H. Shepherd -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
"Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty," says the bumper sticker.
Snake oil religion and tunnel vision -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Browsing through a friend's collection of antique botties I came across a bottle of patent medicine.
Know thyself -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
While this famous Greek maxim is attributed to any number of ancient Greek
For there's no other way -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
When I sit down to plan the worship services for this Sunday, I will start by penciling in John H.
The Blood -- Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
One of the interesting things about blood, as it is presented in the New Testament, is the fact that
Transfiguration or disfiguration -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
The transfiguration plunges us into the kind of text that many preachers would rather avoid if possi
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
Faithful finances -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Reformation Sunday - C
They are almost universally despised and ridiculed in our country, but it is impossible to avoid at
Ashes -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- Ash Wednesday - C
Most of us are aware of ashes as a symbol of a repentant heart and spirit and have heard this theme
What God Is Like -- Acts 13:15-33, John 10:22-30, Revelation 7:9-17 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
The Bible has God as its single subject.
Providence -- 1 Kings 19:1-8, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
God's love is never described as an emotion in the Scriptures.
Vocation -- Isaiah 42:1-7, Acts 10:34-38, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
In most of Christian history, the church has needed to stress the calling to service within its own
Christmas Comes All the Time -- Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55), Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Probably the worst thing we do at Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ.
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
For there's no other way -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
When I sit down to plan the worship services for this Sunday, I will start by penciling in John H.
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
Dust off the throne -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
When I was a kid, my parents would host several Christmas parties each year -- one for each of the a
By what authority? -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
They rang the church doorbell insistently.
The Jealous God -- Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Most of us are convinced that jealousy is not a Christian or godly virtue so we are a bit put off, e
Amazing grace how sweet the sound -- Genesis 18:10-33, Colossians 2:6-15, Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
The Bible, Old Testament and New, is filled with words for forgiveness in its original tong
Appearance and/or reality? -- Acts 9:1-20, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
A common phrase rightly reminds us that "appearances can be deceiving." In fact, experience has ofte

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
How is Christ king in light of all the evil that still plagues us, all the suffering, war, and injus
NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Eugene Peterson not only produces Bible translations, he also is a poet.
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Bob Ove -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
There is no jihad in Christianity.
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Las Vegas is the prime destination for trade shows.
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Pilate exemplifies what Winston Churchill once observed: "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, b
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Three-year-old Benjamin pranced around wearing his Burger King crown.
Sermon Illustrations for Thanksgiving (2012) -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Joel 2:21-27
NULL -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
There is an ecological dimension to this text (concern with the land).
NULL -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
A couple traveling in Europe wanted to stop in and see a famous Jewish rabbi who happened to live ne
NULL -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
One year Thanksgiving plans were cancelled for the Husings.
NULL -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Timothy didn't fail! That is one reason the church grew so fast in those early years!
NULL -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
In the tradition of what was started by Leymah Gbowee, 2012 Nobel Peace Laureate, the women of Liber
NULL -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Ron Love -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
In July 2012 at a Sotheby's auction, Edvard Munch's painting The Scream was sold for $120 mil
NULL -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Arthur Gordon was a writer who helped many people on their own spiritual journeys, yet he had his ow
NULL -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Martin Luther provides compelling images about this text: "Day and night everybody's concern is how
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2012) -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9
The Wisdom of Solomon from the Apocrypha... -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
The Wisdom of Solomon from the Apocrypha, those writings that illuminate the period between the Old
The lesson refers to grace and mercy... -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
The lesson refers to grace and mercy being on God's holy ones (v. 9).
When multi-billionaire Warren Buffett was eleven years old... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Ron Love -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
When multi-billionaire Warren Buffett was eleven years old, in the spring of 1942, he made his first
One thing that caught me is that we are one bride... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Bob Ove -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
One thing that caught me is that we are one bride!
Jose Guadalupe Posada, renowned Mexican cartoonist and illustrator... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Mark J. Molldrem -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Jose Guadalupe Posada, renowned Mexican cartoonist and illustrator, used calaveras (animated
Ruby looked forward to church potlucks... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
At 103, Ruby looked forward to church potlucks.
There was much lamenting that had Jesus come sooner... -- John 11:32-44 -- Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
There was much lamenting that had Jesus come sooner Lazarus might not have died (v. 32).
Doris Donnelly, challenges the stigma of weeping... -- John 11:32-44 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Doris Donnelly, in her book Spiritual Fitness, challenges the stigma of weeping and shows how
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2012) -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Jeremiah 33:14-16

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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
For August 3, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

Note: The gesture used both hands. Hold both hands in front of you and make the thumbs-up sign with both hands with both thumbs pointing back at your chest. This is the “ME!” gesture. Then simply rotate your hands back so your thumbs are pointing straight up in the air, like two “OK” signs. This is the “US” gesture.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11: 1-13
The prophet compares Yahweh to a father who exercises compassion despite his original plan to punish Israel. John Calvin nicely explains these dynamics:
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11:1-11

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-- Psalm 107:9, 43

Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
John W. Wurster
" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

" 'I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.' (1:4). But they did not know me. Do you?

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