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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Story versus Message -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Christmastime is a wonderful time.
Fireworks and waterworks -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, Psalm 30 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Independence Day is picnics and barbeques and the faint memory of throwing off tyranny like tea into
God's promise is true -- Acts 13:15-16, 26-33, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
The fourth Sunday of Easter grounds the new life in Christ in the ancient promise of God.
Tramplers, kings, crooks ... and others of note! -- Amos 8:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Why is it that so many of the headlines in our newsprint and time slots on our newscasts are hogged
The Impact Of Our Self-Images -- 2 Kings 13:14-20a, Luke 12:13-21, Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Some great philosopher declared, "I think, therefore I am." He might well have said, I think, theref
Kings, Commoners and Foreigners -- Psalm 21:1-7, 2 Kings 5:1-15ab, Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Today's selections could not have been better chosen for their ability to reveal something of the br
Look backward! Move Forward! -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
How things do change over time!
Home for Christmas -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14, Psalm 98 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
My living room contains a painting of the great race between a horse and a steam locomotive by the C
Living in faith -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
After Christmas, with its striking combination of trying human circumstances and glorious divine rev
But what if it is broken? -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- David Kalas -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Conventional wisdom says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That's fair advice.
The future is now -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Isaiah has been called "the prophet of the holy." His personal encounter with God, described in
The God of Initiative -- Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9, Ephesians 6:10-20, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
The God portrayed in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the life of Jesus is not only extraordinarily diff
An eye to the future -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19, Psalm 66:1-12 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Without a doubt one of the strangest questions asked again and again in the weeks just after the ter
The seven last words of Pilate -- Good Friday - A
Some stories in the Bible are so essentially visual that they almost demand that we act them out to
Responding to Our Gifts -- Psalm 95:6-11, 2 Timothy 1:3-14 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
Too many of us, I think, spend too much time blaming our past and the gifts we have received from ot
The day is the way! -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Adventus, "Coming!" That Latin word sounds like the theme for the four weeks ahead of us.
The Immediacy of Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Never does the Bible recommend that some day we ought to listen, to respond, to change.
Humility -- Jeremiah 28:1-9, Hebrews 13:1-8, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
All of us are aware of the difference between real and false humility.
Of grease and squeaky wheels -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30 -- David Kalas -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Conventional wisdom says that it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.
Aim high -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
It comes with the territory of capitalism, for we are continually encouraged to want more, to get wh
Affirming a mystery -- Proverbs 8:22-31, Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
The Holy Trinity is a mystery indeed.
Share the joy reach out and include -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.
People you can count on -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20, Psalm 124 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Some years ago, a major research firm conducted a survey to determine what people would be willing t
God's Bounty -- Psalms 139:13-18, 2 Kings 4:8-17, Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
Turn to whichever selection for today that you wish and you will soon discover that the common theme
New Beginnings -- Isaiah 43:16-21, John 12:1-8, Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Sometimes all our talk about Lent would lead one to think our major Lenten task is to look backward.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon illustrations for Transfiguration Sunday, Cycle A (2011) -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
Exodus 24:12-18
Let the record show... -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
"Let the record show..." Parliamentary procedure can be an arduous process.
In Tom Wilson's cartoon Ziggy -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- Ron Love -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
In Tom Wilson's cartoon, Ziggy, who always seems to be struggling with his place in life, is
No one can argue that technology... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Craig Kelly -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
No one can argue that technology is developing at an unbelievable rate.
So Jesus and his disciples go up a mountain -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
"So Jesus and his disciples go up a mountain, where they meet up with Moses and Elijah…" It almost s
In 1898, Florence Nightingale wrote a book... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Ron Love -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
In 1898, Florence Nightingale wrote a book on nursing that was titled, Notes on Nursing: What It
We all have those strange dreams... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
We all have those strange dreams.
NULL -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
NULL -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Craig Kelly -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
In 2006, in the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, Charles Carl Roberts IV entered a sma
NULL -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Leah Thompson -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
The poem "Poor Angus" by children's poet Shel Silverstein is written as if it were a conversation be
NULL -- 2 Corinthians 5:20--6:10 -- Ron Love -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
In January of 2011, when Dan Uggla signed the contract to be the coach of the Atlanta Braves, he did
NULL -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Craig Kelly -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
Volunteering is often a thankless job.
NULL -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
NULL -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
I must admit, I do enjoy watching legal dramas on television.
NULL -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Before dictionaries, people spelled things… well, however they wanted to.
NULL -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Rudyard Kipling, best known as the author of The Jungle Book, wrote a poem titled The Whit
NULL -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
On March 8, 1971, Madison Square Garden in New York City was abuzz.
NULL -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Exodus 17:1-7
NULL -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
I have no problem with aging and getting older.
NULL -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
In word processing programs, one of the formatting choices is the "justification." Options include l
NULL -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Elie Wiesel is most often recognized for his book Night, in which he recounts his captivity a
NULL -- John 4:5-42 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
One of the "holy grails" of modern technology is the long-lasting battery.
NULL -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Genesis 12:1-4a
NULL -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Mohandas Gandhi once said, "Prayer is not an old woman's idle amusement.
NULL -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
"I will bless you so that you will be a blessing." Are you blessed with special talents?

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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

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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