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Haggai 1:15b--2:9

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Response to Distractions -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- David Coffin -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2022
All four of today’s texts address distractions which may lead us astray of becoming the people of fa
Standing Orders -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- David Kalas -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
Some commands and instructions are for the moment. Some are relegated to the past.
Eschatological ethics -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2016
There is a powerful scene in Herman Melville’s great epic Moby Dick, where peglegged Captai
To glorify God -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- David Coffin -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
A church council member announces to the rest of the members and the pastor that a certain family ha
Life in the waiting lane -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
According to a study released in May, the average annual traffic delay per person, nationwide in 199
A bright forecast -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- David Kalas -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
Primitive people, even more than we, were at the mercy of the weather.

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2022) -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21, Psalm 98 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2022
Haggai 1:15b--2:9
The great composer... -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
The great composer George Frideric Handel sent word to the local tavern owner to prepare a dinner fo
NULL -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
Click here for
NULL -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
John Meacham, senior editor of Newsweek magazine, wrote an editorial in the June 21, 2010, pu
NULL -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
If you asked Sasha what her dearest wish was, she would tell you this: peace.
The year is 1989. A... -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
The year is 1989.
A PBS documentary on Queen... -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
A PBS documentary on Queen Elizabeth highlighted one of the more poignant moments during that dread

The Immediate Word

Questions That Really Don't Matter -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C, All Saints Day - C -- 2022
For November 6, 2022:
Engaging (or Testing) God -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
For November 10, 2019:
A Different Plane Of Now -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text assigned for Proper 27 brings us a curious scene, as some Sadducees attem

Worship

The Immediate Word

Questions That Really Don't Matter -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C, All Saints Day - C -- 2022
For November 6, 2022:
Engaging (or Testing) God -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
For November 10, 2019:
A Different Plane Of Now -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text assigned for Proper 27 brings us a curious scene, as some Sadducees attem
Hey, Charlie Brown! -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
Barbara Jurgensen is writing on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 this week: eternal comfort.
Not Too Quickly Shaken Or Alarmed -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
This week’s lectionary epistle passage from Second Thessalonians counsels us to “let no one dece

SermonStudio

Proper 27 / Ordinary Time 32 / Pentecost 25 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Julia Ross Strope -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2009
If we love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and strength,
Proper 27/Ordinary Time 32 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Haggai 1:15b--2:9 Theme: You Ain't See Nothin' Yet!
Proper 27 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
Theme: Do Not Be Discouraged -- The Lord Is With YouCall To Worship
Take Courage And Work -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: Take courage and work.
God's promised blessing -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Give praise to the Lord, for God's kingdom is at hand!

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Questions That Really Don't Matter -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C, All Saints Day - C -- 2022
For November 6, 2022:
Engaging (or Testing) God -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
For November 10, 2019:
A Different Plane Of Now -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text assigned for Proper 27 brings us a curious scene, as some Sadducees attem
Hey, Charlie Brown! -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
Barbara Jurgensen is writing on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 this week: eternal comfort.
Not Too Quickly Shaken Or Alarmed -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
This week’s lectionary epistle passage from Second Thessalonians counsels us to “let no one dece
Insert The Other Candidate's Name Here -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage Paul warns the Thessalonian congregation against being swa

SermonStudio

Making Something Out Of Nothing -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2009
Making something out of nothing. We often use that phrase in a negative sense.
Building The Temple Of God -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
Haggai is what has been labeled as the first of the restoration prophets, and he has no recorded his
God Restores Us To Life -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
Living Free -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Mark Ellingson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2000
Why are things not better in America?

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Questions That Really Don't Matter -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C, All Saints Day - C -- 2022
For November 6, 2022:
Engaging (or Testing) God -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
For November 10, 2019:
A Different Plane Of Now -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text assigned for Proper 27 brings us a curious scene, as some Sadducees attem
Hey, Charlie Brown! -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
Barbara Jurgensen is writing on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 this week: eternal comfort.
Not Too Quickly Shaken Or Alarmed -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
This week’s lectionary epistle passage from Second Thessalonians counsels us to “let no one dece
Insert The Other Candidate's Name Here -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage Paul warns the Thessalonian congregation against being swa

SermonStudio

Proper 27/Pentecost 25/Ordinary Time 32 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Proper 27 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
A cynic once remarked that Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God, and what he got was the church -
Proper 27 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 27 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Haggai 1:15b--2:9 (C)

Stories

StoryShare

World's End -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2022
Contents "World's End" by Keith Hewitt "The Wrong Lens" by Frank Ramirez
The Long Shot -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Keith Hewitt -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
The governor, the priest, and the soldier sat in a grove of olive trees, looking across the valley i
Man Of Lawlessness -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2016
Contents "Man of Lawlessness" by John Fitzgerald
The Greatest Generation -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- John Fitzgerald, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
Contents "The Greatest Generation" by John Fitzgerald
Low Bid -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- David O. Bales, Frank R. Fisher, Constance Berg -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
Contents "Low Bid" by David Bales "God of the Living" by Frank Fisher

SermonStudio

A Religion That Shows -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2009
Some little girls went on a hike with their scout troop.
Unfinished Buildings -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
Travel to Bangkok, Thailand, and you'll fall in love with this beautiful city of the Orient.

Devotional

SermonStudio

Proper 27 / Pentecost 25 / Ordinary Time 32 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2009
My spirit abides among you; do not fear. -- Haggai 2:5b

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Questions That Really Don't Matter -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C, All Saints Day - C -- 2022
For November 6, 2022:
Engaging (or Testing) God -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
For November 10, 2019:
A Different Plane Of Now -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text assigned for Proper 27 brings us a curious scene, as some Sadducees attem
Hey, Charlie Brown! -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
Barbara Jurgensen is writing on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 this week: eternal comfort.
Not Too Quickly Shaken Or Alarmed -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
This week’s lectionary epistle passage from Second Thessalonians counsels us to “let no one dece
Insert The Other Candidate's Name Here -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage Paul warns the Thessalonian congregation against being swa
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
30+ – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
26 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
27 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
27 – 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
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For April 19, 2026:

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.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
When Jesus broke bread in a house in Emmaus, the eyes of his companions were opened, and they recognized him. Let us try to recognise Jesus in our worship today.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm unable to see you or to discern your presence.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I refuse to wait around long enough for you show yourself to me.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I find it easier to ignore you than to seek for you.
Lord, have mercy.

StoryShare

John S. Smylie
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Speak the Truth in Love" by John Smylie
"Recognizing the Christ" by Sandra Herrmann


What's Up This Week

SermonStudio

Lee Griess
It is perhaps one of the most compelling narratives in all of the scriptures. So fascinating is this scene, in fact, that the gospel writer Luke includes it in detail near the end of his gospel writing. It is a story known well and beloved in the church -- the story of two disciples walking down a dusty road to the village of Emmaus, the evening of that first Easter day.
Richard L. Sheffield
"People die. Don't ya know." That's what Cleopas and his friend said to Jesus on Easter afternoon on their way home. People die!

Don't believe it? Don't want to believe it? Read about it in The Lima News. And not just in the obits. This is my copy of The Lima News from Good Friday, the day we remember that Jesus died.

Page 1: Cult Died in Shifts

Page 2: A headline so gruesome, let's just say, "Wife kills husband."

Page 3: A list of the dead from page 1, by age, sex, and the state where they got their driver's license.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Is the life you lead one for which you want to be remembered? That very challenging and thought-provoking question certainly came to the mind of the famous Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel one day. In the common everyday exercise of reading the morning paper, Nobel discovered the challenge of God and the need for conversion before his very eyes.
Mark Ellingsen
"What happens to you when you die, Dad?" "Of course, son, if you believe in God, you go up to heaven where you will be with God and the angels."
Harry N. Huxhold
A rather insightful novel about the problem of Christian missions to Africa is Barbara Kingsolver's story The Poisonwood Bible. Kingsolver weaves her story around Nathan Price, a fundamentalist, legalistic preacher who takes his wife and four daughters to serve in the heart of the Belgian Congo. While they are there, in l960 Patrice Lumumba emerges as the leader of his people when Belgium grants the Congolese their independence. Soon after, Mobuto comes to power. Nathan Price decides to remain and serve with his family even when the resources of his sponsors are cut off.
Bill Mosley
There's an old Uncle Remus story about Br'er Rabbit. Br'er Fox catches Br'er Rabbit and is fixin' to cook him for supper. Rabbit kinda giggles behind his hand. Fox grabs him by the ear, and says, "Why you laughin'?"

Rabbit says, "Jus' thinkin' 'bout my Laughin' Place." Fox says, "What Laughin' Place?" Rabbit says, "Oh, I cain't tell you about it. I got to show you!"
B. David Hostetter
CALL TO WORSHIP
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God may call.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering Litany
Begin instrumental music for the Hymn of Praise when the spoken litany begins. A solo flute would be excellent.
P: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
C: we rejoice that you have been raised from the dead.
P: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
C: we rejoice in the gift of your Holy Spirit.
P: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
C: we rejoice in your promise of baptism.
P: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
C: we rejoice that we are born anew eternally.

Hymn Of Praise

Emphasis Preaching Journal

William H. Shepherd
My friend was overwhelmed by his first church convention. "It's all so big," he wrote in his report. "There is so much going on. I wish I had a manual to instruct me on what to do, where to go, and how to vote."

Someone responded to his report with a letter to an editor. "How sad," said the letter, "that a leader of our church would not know that we Christians already have a manual on how to live the Christian life. It's called the Bible."
The best way to learn about modern culture is to have a teenager; you learn quickly what is valued highly. One of those things that a teenager can teach you is the extreme value of being cool. Now "cool" means different things in different contexts. In general, it means desirable. In talking about clothes, it means fashionable. For 14-year-old boys talking about girls, cool means attractive. But at its root, cool means ... the opposite of hot. It means the opposite of passion. It means looking like nothing will get you stirred up. Like nothing bothers you. Like nothing can affect you.

CSSPlus

Good morning! I have here a newspaper article about a kidnapping. It seems that ... (tell them about the story in the clipping). Now when somebody is kidnapped, the usual reason for kidnapping them is money. The kidnappers want somebody to pay them money to release the prisoner. Does anybody know what we call the money paid to get someone released from the kidnappers? (Let them answer.) It's called a "ransom." A ransom is paid in order to get someone released by the bad guys.
Good morning! Did you know that after Jesus was raised from the dead, he went around showing himself to some of his followers? Some of the disciples saw him and recognized him right away. One of the disciples, Thomas, recognized him but he didn't believe that it was really Jesus. He wanted proof before he would believe.
After the resurrection of Jesus -- but before it was known -- two of his followers were walking along a road. They were sad about the crucifixion and mourning that their friend was gone. Jesus joined them on the road, but they did not recognize him. He challenged their lack of belief in the resurrection. Didn't the prophecies say that the Messiah would be brought back from the dead? Why, then, didn't they believe them? Jesus tells them that they are slow to believe.

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