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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

We live in a society dominated by the American dream... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
We live in a society dominated by the American dream.
When Wayne Muller was ordained he invited Henri Nouwen to preach... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
When Wayne Muller was ordained he invited Henri Nouwen to preach his ordination sermon.
Everybody at school calls Crystal names behind her back... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
Everybody at school calls Crystal names behind her back. Bad names.
In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair.
It can be tempting to look admiringly at some politicians... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
It can be tempting to look admiringly at some politicians for the amount of power they hold.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 (2011) -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
There have been many historical inspirations... -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
There have been many historical inspirations for our current system of law and jurisprudence.
There is an old story about a bandit... -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
There is an old story about a bandit in the Far East who was badly injured and taken to a Christian
President John Adams described himself as... -- Philippians 3:4-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
President John Adams described himself as "a church-going animal." He and his wife Abigail believed
Louise was born to a family of accountants... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Louise was born to a family of accountants -- brilliant accountants, no less -- CPAs.
In our own time... -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
"Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that pro
Impeachment is a process... -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Impeachment is a process in which a government official is removed because of unlawful activity comm
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 (2011) -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Exodus 32:1-14
It's easy to see and condemn the impetuousness of the Israelites... -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
It's easy to see and condemn the impetuousness of the Israelites who with their own eyes had seen th
Grandpa died when Maggie was a baby... -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Grandpa died when Maggie was a baby.
In the late 1800s... -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
In the late 1800s, Native Americans were considered "wards" of the federal government.
When reading through a book... -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
When reading through a book like Foxe's Book of Martyrs or DC Talk's Jesus Freaks, you
Pastor Ted Wardlaw describes a communion service... -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Pastor Ted Wardlaw describes a communion service he held a number of years ago in Atlanta.
It's like Salvador Dali... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
It's like Salvador Dali came into the gospel and painted a story -- Salvador Dali, of the dripping c
There usually isn't too much of a problem... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
There usually isn't too much of a problem if someone cannot make it to a wedding for some good reaso
When Benjamin Franklin died... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
When Benjamin Franklin died, late in the evening of April 17, 1790, he had a picture of the Day of J
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 (2011) -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Exodus 33:12-23
Some things are simply too powerful for us to gaze upon... -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Some things are simply too powerful for us to gaze upon.
Moses had a special relationship with God... -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
As our biblical passage indicates, Moses had a special relationship with God.
Charles Darwin remains a controversial individual... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Ron Love -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Charles Darwin remains a controversial individual because of his theory of evolution.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
34 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For November 16, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Another natural disaster has flattened a number of coastal communities. Despite the weather and major television station warnings, and government disaster preparations, the dystopian destruction nightmare of Luke 21 has decimated another community. Also, it is reasonable to believe that this is not the last year for hurricanes, Tsunami’s, wild fires, mudslides and tornados. They will occur again. However as weary citizens are interviewed in one group of people with the background of homes in rubble and streets still draining flood waters, they will not leave. This is their home.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (v. 25)

A week after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, country singer Toby Keith — who died Feb. 5, 2024 — wrote a patriotic ballad titled “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” It was filled with populist fighting rhetoric that matched the mood of a nation shaken by the shocking death and destruction of that day.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A blood pressure monitor. It is actually called a sphygmomanometer, and is pronounced “sfig·mow·muh·naa’·muh·tr”.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

John W. Clarke
No reading of Luke is complete without coming to realize that Luke is concerned that the world understands that Jesus is the hope of the world and that any teaching that leads away from that fact is a false teaching. No matter what, no matter when, Jesus will be there to give us life.

Scott Suskovic
Whoever does not work should not eat!
-- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Wow! Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? Not a lot of ambiguity in that rule. "You don't work, you don't eat." For a religion based on grace, it seems a bit unyielding.

Mark Ellingson
Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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