Login / Signup

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Beautiful Scandal -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
When Canadian missionaries Don and Carol Richardson entered the world of the Sawi people in Irian Ja
Good Friday Gifts -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- David Coffin -- Good Friday - B -- 2024
All of today’s texts have a gift for our spiritual journey on this day.
A Love Relationship, More or Less -- John 18:1--19:42, Hebrews 10:16-25, Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
I have lived long enough to discover the truth of this principle time and again.
How the Cross Changes Everyday Life -- Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - C -- 2022
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Faces at a Funeral -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1--19:42, Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Today is Good Friday. Or Death Day. Or the day of tragedy.
Purposeful Passion -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, Psalm 22 -- David Coffin -- Good Friday - A -- 2020
In the 2002 movie Gran Torino Clint Eastwood plays the recently widowed and disgruntled ret
All the Signs -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - C -- 2019
From time to time, I’ll hear someone ask a speculative question that begins, “If a space alien showe
The tomb was sealed and the men went home -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Good Friday - B -- 2018
As we come to Good Friday, I am reminded of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
According To Plan -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - A -- 2017
These three texts let us know that though the events of Good Friday seem to border on the chaotic, t
Trustworthy God -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- David Coffin -- Good Friday - C -- 2016
Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked often seem to prosper?
Climbing in the light -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
The story of God's love in the Bible focuses on Jesus. But Jesus did not appear in a vacuum.
The one from whom men hide their face -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
Set Christmas and Good Friday side by side in your mind.
Reclaiming hope in sorrow -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
The names are burned into our recent memories: Columbine, Aurora, Newtown.
It's all about Jesus -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
The story of God's love in the Bible focuses on Jesus. But Jesus did not appear in a vacuum.
What's so good about Good Friday? -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
One of my favorite movies of all time is the 1956 classic titled Twelve Angry Men featuring a
Why did Jesus have to die? -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Good Friday - C -- 2010
While Don Richardson was a student at Prairie Bible Institute in the 1950s his heart burned in antic
Personal history -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - A -- 2008
A junior high school student sits down with his world history textbook, and he wonders
The people nearby -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - C -- 2007
You know the experience of showing photographs to someone who was not part of the

Free Access

Beautiful Scandal -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
When Canadian missionaries Don and Carol Richardson entered the world of the Sawi people in Irian Ja
Faces at a Funeral -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1--19:42, Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Today is Good Friday. Or Death Day. Or the day of tragedy.

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2025) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2024) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - B -- 2024
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations For Good Friday (2023) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2022) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - C -- 2022
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2021) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations For Good Friday (2020) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, M Adryael Tong -- Good Friday - A -- 2020
Psalm 22
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2019) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - C -- 2019
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2018) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - B -- 2018
Isaiah 52:13-55:12
Sermon Illustrations For Good Friday (2017) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - A -- 2017
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2016) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, R. Robert Cueni, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - C -- 2016
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2015) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2014) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Another senseless killing... -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
Another senseless killing of an innocent person happened at a school in the eastern part of the Unit
Anger is not only... -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
Anger is not only destructive to one's soul, but it is equally destructive to one's physical health.
A 2006 poll... -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
A 2006 poll by Baylor University revealed that 2 in 5 Americans have a distant God, one not engaged
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2013) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
NULL -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
The Revolutionary War was not going well for the Americans, as the British were continually defeatin
NULL -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
The lesson portrays the Servant who suffers for us, the Messiah on the cross, as undesirable in appe
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2012) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Ken and Carol Dorushka went to Safeway that morning... -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
Ken and Carol Dorushka went to Safeway that morning to get a few items for lunch and to greet their
NULL -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Free Access

Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2025) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations For Good Friday (2023) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
Isaiah 52:13--53:12

StoryShare

The Suffering Servant -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
Jenna frowned as she looked at the textbook in front of her.
Good Friday is Cancel Culture -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2022
Contents“Good Friday is Cancel Culture” by John Sumwalt

Preaching

SermonStudio

Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - B -- 2011
Theme of the DayA vulnerable God struggles to overcome our sin.
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Carlos Wilton -- Good Friday - A -- 2010
Theme For The Day
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Carlos Wilton -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Carlos Wilton -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
Revised Common Isaiah 52:13--53:12 Hebrews 10:16-25 John 18:1--19:42
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Good Friday - A -- 2004
For centuries, the Christian Church has regarded this fourth Servant Song in Second Isaiah as a prop
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
This is the fourth and final Servant Song in Second Isaiah, and because of its content, it has been
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus and his disciples move toward Jerusalem and the cross.
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Good Friday - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme The Passion of Jesus leading up to Easter.
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Good Friday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 52:13--53:12 (C, RC, E)
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1--19:42 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 52:13--53:12 (C, RC, E)

Sermon

SermonStudio

What Does Jesus Look Like? -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Tony S. Everett -- Good Friday - A -- 2010
Jenny had spent the past half hour working quietly all by herself at the art table in her Sunday sch
That's Why We Call It Good -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- David Kalas -- Good Friday - C -- 2009
At the end of the day, God saw that it was good.
God's Incredible Gift -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- David H. Webb -- Good Friday - B -- 2009
The servant song in our Old Testament lesson from Isaiah has been the traditional Old Testament read
A Death On A Long Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Ken Lentz -- Good Friday - B -- 2008
After dying in a car crash, three friends went to heaven for orientation.
Where The Rubber Meets The Road -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Good Friday - A -- 2007
I don't need to tell you that we belong to a portion of the Christian family called the "Protestant
Priceless -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
The Island of Rodriguez in the Pacific Ocean, not that far from Zanzibar, has mainly managed to stay
It's All About Jesus -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Ron Lavin -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
It's All About Jesus
Wounded Healers -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
I once watched a television show which scared the daylights out of me.
Deformed, Disfigured, And Despised: A Marred But Magnificent Messiah -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- Good Friday - C -- 2000
The prophet gives the report, but who will believe it? The servant will act wisely.
Freely Sharing The Burden -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
Once in a far-off land there was a great king whose dominion extended far and wide.
All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Durwood L. Buchheim -- Good Friday - B -- 1993
In the middle 1960s, a seminary student interned in a Lutheran
A SPEAR, A NAIL, A CROSS -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 19:17-30 -- Don M. Aycock
(Each member of the congregation is handed two toothpicks as he

Free Access

Wounded Healers -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
I once watched a television show which scared the daylights out of me.

Stories

StoryShare

The Suffering Servant -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
Jenna frowned as she looked at the textbook in front of her.
Good Friday is Cancel Culture -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2022
Contents“Good Friday is Cancel Culture” by John Sumwalt
Reflections of Grief -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- Good Friday - C -- 2019
Contents "Reflections of Grief" by Keith Hewitt
For Our Sakes -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Psalm 22, John 18:1--19:42, Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Wagner -- Good Friday - B -- 2018
Contents “For Our Sakes” by Peter Andrew Smith
The Bitter End -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
Contents "The Bitter End" by Keith Hewitt
Living The Song Of The Servant -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Keith Wagner, C. David Mckirachan -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
Contents"Living the Song of the Servant" by Keith Wagner
Never Finished -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Contents"World Saver" by Keith Hewitt "Maybe" by Sandra Herrmann
Incarnation -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
Contents"Regrets" by Keith Hewitt "Incarnation" by C. David McKirachan
The Garden At Twilight -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
Contents"Get Your Boots On" by C. David McKirachan
The Clearing -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez, Larry Winebrenner -- Good Friday - C -- 2010
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Clearing" by Keith Hewitt
The Lamb -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales, Larry Winebrenner, Peter Andrew Smith, Sandra Herrmann -- Good Friday - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat’s Up This Week "The Lamb" by Keith Hewitt
Do This Remembering Me... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1--19:42 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez, Bryan Meadows -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week
Do This Remembering Me... -- John 18:1--19:42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Bryan Meadows, Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Good Friday - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week
Betrayal In The Third Grade -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22:1-15 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, John E. Sumwalt, C. David Mckirachan, Fanny Lee Seville, Scott Dalgarno, David E. Leininger -- Good Friday - C
Passion/Palm SundayIsaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11

Free Access

Reflections of Grief / Bearing Our Infirmities / Abandoned? -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- Good Friday - C -- 2019
Contents "Reflections of Grief" by Keith Hewitt

SermonStudio

The Ragman -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, stru
He Took It All Back -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
He Took It All Back

Worship

SermonStudio

Good Friday -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Good Friday - A -- 2007
Prayer Around The CrossGathering
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Good Friday - A -- 2007
Call To WorshipOne: Here, in the midst of these people,
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Isaiah 52:13--53:12Theme: Vindication. Trust Me.
Theme: Believe It Or Not! -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25) One:
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
Call To WorshipSelected verses from Psalm 22. Leader:
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
Theme: The Suffering ServantCall To Worship
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Good Friday - A -- 2001
Theme: The Suffering ServantCall To Worship
All Have Strayed -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Good Friday - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Isaiah 52:13--53:12Theme: Out Of AnguishCall To Worship
The suffering servant -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- James R. Wilson -- Good Friday - C -- 1997
Maundy ThursdayCall To Worship
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For October 19, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 31:27-34
John Calvin makes very clear why a new covenant is needed according to this text. He observes:

… the fault was not to be sought in the law that there was need of a new covenant, for the law was abundantly sufficient, but that fault was in the levity and the unfaithfulness of the people. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.X/2, p.130)
David Coffin
What happens when one’s past life narrative or goals in life have drastically shifted or collapsed? How do they rebuild hope? For Israel, they lost their land, monarchy, and national identity. In the days of the New Testament,they could easily be identified as living in the “fourth world” country. That is, existing in substandard conditions in one’s own native land?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Rose sat back in her chair and opened her magazine. She heard the thump of the stairs and caught a glimpse of her daughter and son in the corner of her eye. She turned her head as they put water bottles in their backpacks.

“What are you two doing?” she looked over at the clock. “Don’t you have homework?”

“All done,” Paul and Linda announced at the same time.

Rose ignored Linda but locked eyes with Paul. He met her gaze for a few moments and then sighed.

“Okay, I’m almost done but still have some math questions,” he admitted.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told us that we should always pray and not lose heart, for God is on our side. In our worship today let us pray to the Lord for the needs of others and for all our own needs.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes you don't seem to be there when I pray and I feel like I'm talking to myself.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes my prayers seem so dry and boring that I give up.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Psalm 119 is well-known as the longest chapter in the Bible. The poem is actually an extended, and extensive, meditation on the meaning of the law. Given the sterile connotations often associated with "law" and "legalism," it's hard sometimes to appreciate the lyrical beauty of these reflections. One thing is for certain, the writer of this psalm does not view the law as either sterile or void of vitality.

Schuyler Rhodes
There is perhaps no better feeling than knowing that someone "has your back." Having someone's back is a term that arose from urban street fighting where a partner or ally would stay with you and protect your back in the thick of the fray. When someone has your back, you don't worry about being hit from behind. When someone has your back you can concentrate on the struggle in front of you without worrying about dangers you cannot see. When someone has your back you feel protected, secure, safe.
David Kalas
I wonder how many of us here are named after someone.

Chances are that a good many of us carry family names. We are named for a parent, a grandparent, an uncle, or an aunt somewhere on the family tree. Others of us had parents who named us after a character in the Bible, or perhaps some other significant character from history.

All told, I expect a pretty fair number of us are named after someone else.

John W. Clarke
Our reading today from the prophet Jeremiah is one in which the Hebrew people, not knowing what else to do in terms of addressing their predicament, decide to blame it all on God. They believed their problems to be the result of their sins and the sins of their fathers. Of course, one person's sin does indeed affect other people, but all people are still held personally accountable for the sin in their own lives (Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18:2).
Donna E. Schaper
As usual, the epistle is a little more graphic than we can quite grasp. Itchy ears: what a concept just in physical terms. Experience it for a minute. You itch, you scratch, you sort of know you shouldn't scratch because it will only make the itch worse. But still you scratch, while wondering how the itch ever got started in the first place. What a concept: itchy ears as a vehicle for spiritual truth.

John E. Berger
Did Jesus ever do comedy? Indeed he did, and the Parable of the Unjust Judge is partly comic monologue. The routine began with a probate judge so ridiculously dishonest that he announced, "... I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone...." (There must have been a gasp of disbelief from Jesus' audience.)

The Unjust Judge was nagged by a widow, however, who had every right to nag, because she had been cheated by somebody in the community. A good judge would have helped the widow, but remember, this judge "neither feared God nor had respect for people."

CSSPlus

And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? (v. 7)

Good morning, boys and girls. Yesterday, I was riding in my car and I kept hearing this noise. I call it a squeak. Do you know what a squeak sounds like? (let them answer) Squeaks are very annoying. It is hard to find a squeak in your car, so it is still squeaking.

I also have a chair that has a squeak and I brought it in with me today because it is

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL