Emphasis Contributors
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
David Kalas
We’re not far from the 4th of July. And while for so many Americans, it seems that the holiday has become more about long weekends, cookouts, and fireworks shows, the theme of freedom is still there at least in the background. We might take advantage of that, therefore, and give some thought to the theme of freedom as it is revealed in our assigned texts for this week.
Freedom is a theme that pulses through scripture, through world history, and through the individual human experience. If it were a distinctive musical motif — like, for example, the first four notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony — I think we would hear it continually. It is always playing, in either the foreground or the background, of any human being’s daily living.
Freedom is a theme that pulses through scripture, through world history, and through the individual human experience. If it were a distinctive musical motif — like, for example, the first four notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony — I think we would hear it continually. It is always playing, in either the foreground or the background, of any human being’s daily living.
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a and Psalm 42-43
I can’t tell you how often in the past year I have sought the peace that comes from resting in God. Almost every day the stress and strain of just living in peace with my neighbors can be a challenge to my peace, not to mention the chaos and the violence that is reported in the news every day. These are the moments when I wonder where God is, how God is present with me and the world. These are the moments, like Elijah, that I want to escape from all that is going on. While I am not seeking death, some days peace seems impossible while living in the world.
Lectionary Commentary and Sermon Illustrations
Emphasis Preaching Journal provides in-depth lectionary-based commentary on lectionary texts, plus thousands of sermon illustrations to help you create riveting sermons.For over 45 years, Emphasis has provided subscribers with scripturally sound, lectionary-based commentaries and sermon illustrations that connect with the people in the pews.
For each week, Emphasis writers delve into the heart of the lectionary readings, providing you with several fresh, solid ideas -- based squarely on the lectionary texts -- for creating sermons that speak powerfully to your audience. They look for overall themes that hold the readings together. Then, they zero in on the themes and the specific scripture links, suggesting directions for the sermon and worship service. Since a single idea each week may not provide what you are looking for at that particular time, writers suggest several, giving you the opportunity to select the one that matches your specific needs.
