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Jonah 3:1-5, 10

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The Times They Are A Changing -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
Back in 1963 Bob Dylan, at that time coming into his own at a folk singer, wrote and recorded a folk
Imperative -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Recently, British researchers discovered that 42 percent of the church-goers in that country fall as
The rules just changed -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2018
Jonah later claimed that the reason he fled after the command of God to condemn Nineveh was he knew
Telling time -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2015
Somewhere along the way, each of us learned how to tell time.
The test -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
I have a dear friend who is a college professor.
Fish tales -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2003
I had a colleague in graduate school about whom another friend in our doctoral program in New Testam
Urgency -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2000
It's fair to say that any sense of urgency about their faith is missing among a good many contempora
Christian living in the last days -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1994
While waiting in the convenience store check-out line, my eyes went to the ever-present tabloid head

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The Times They Are A Changing -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
Back in 1963 Bob Dylan, at that time coming into his own at a folk singer, wrote and recorded a folk
Imperative -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Recently, British researchers discovered that 42 percent of the church-goers in that country fall as

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2024) -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2021) -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2018) -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2018
Jonah 3:1-5, 10

The Immediate Word

Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:
Messengers -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2018
In the stories of Jonah proclaiming God’s judgment to the Ninevites and Jesus calling fishermen to b

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Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2024) -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2021) -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:

Worship

The Immediate Word

Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:
Messengers -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2018
In the stories of Jonah proclaiming God’s judgment to the Ninevites and Jesus calling fishermen to b
Urgent Message -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2015
This week’s lectionary passages contain a pair of warnings about the urgency of changing our beha
Game-Changers -- Mark 1:14-20, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2012
The lectionary scripture passages for the Third Sunday after Epiphany bring us a pair of startling s

Free Access

Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:
I Knew This Would Happen! -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Acts 3:19-21) One:

SermonStudio

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Theme: I Knew This Would Happen!
Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship Psalm 62:5-8 -- Freely translated! Leader:

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:
Messengers -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2018
In the stories of Jonah proclaiming God’s judgment to the Ninevites and Jesus calling fishermen to b
Urgent Message -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2015
This week’s lectionary passages contain a pair of warnings about the urgency of changing our beha
Game-Changers -- Mark 1:14-20, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2012
The lectionary scripture passages for the Third Sunday after Epiphany bring us a pair of startling s

Free Access

Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:

SermonStudio

The Need For Transformation -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2008
The Bishop of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was known to be a great evangelist and preacher who woul
Following A God Who Flip Flops ... -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Following A God Who Flip Flops ...
Defining Moments -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1999
Throughout the Bible God caused defining moments in order to prepare leadership to begin new chapter

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:
Messengers -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2018
In the stories of Jonah proclaiming God’s judgment to the Ninevites and Jesus calling fishermen to b
Urgent Message -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2015
This week’s lectionary passages contain a pair of warnings about the urgency of changing our beha
Game-Changers -- Mark 1:14-20, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2012
The lectionary scripture passages for the Third Sunday after Epiphany bring us a pair of startling s

Free Access

Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:

SermonStudio

Epiphany 3 -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
Theme of the Day Now is the time! Collect of the Day
Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Revised Common Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20
Third Sunday after Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2001
In preaching on this text from Jonah, we must never forget that it is set within a narrative context

Stories

StoryShare

Endings And Beginnings -- Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2014
Contents "Endings and Beginnings" by Peter Andrew Smith
Always The Same, Always Changing -- Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2012
Contents "Always the Same, Always Changing" by Frank Ramirez
All Along The Watchtower -- Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Keith Hewitt, Argile Smith, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "All Along the Watchtower" by Keith Hewitt
Joelito's Legacy -- Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Sandra Herrmann, Jo Perry-Sumwalt, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "Joelito's Legacy"

SermonStudio

A Gospel For Losers -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- David E. Leininger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2008
A fellow is standing at a bar, just looking at his drink.
Joelito's Legacy -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1999
The prophet Jonah was commanded by God to go to Nineveh; Joel Fil‡rtiga was inspired to go to Paragu
Getting Up The Courage -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Sandra Herrmann -- 1993
Julie hadn't been able to think of anything for a month but a

Devotional

SermonStudio

Epiphany 3 -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2008
Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:
Messengers -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2018
In the stories of Jonah proclaiming God’s judgment to the Ninevites and Jesus calling fishermen to b
Urgent Message -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2015
This week’s lectionary passages contain a pair of warnings about the urgency of changing our beha
Game-Changers -- Mark 1:14-20, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2012
The lectionary scripture passages for the Third Sunday after Epiphany bring us a pair of startling s
Prayer For Public Consumption? -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Carter Shelley -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,

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Crisis Instructions -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
For January 21, 2024:
And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
For January 24, 2021:
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Thomas Willadsen
For July 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
Nobody liked Jennifer. She'd come from another country to join the class and it was difficult to understand what she said. And she had such odd ideas. Rosie discovered that instead of eating cereals from her bowl at breakfast time, Jennifer drank hot chocolate from her bowl - having first dipped her toast in it!

StoryShare

Argile Smith
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Land's Sacred" by Argile Smith
"What's It Worth?" by C. David McKirachan


What's Up This Week
It is our natural tendency to respond to what we see with our senses, while there is so much more to life than that. In "The Land's Sacred," we meet two men who look at something as seemingly simple as land and farming in two completely different lights. "What's It Worth?" takes us through one family's tragedy, revealing that under the pain and anguish, seeds of hope and goodness still grow.

David O. Bales
Sandra Herrmann
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"All Earthly Fathers" by David O. Bales
"A Private Talk in the School of Christ" by Sandra Herrmann
"A Wicked Way in Me" by John Sumwalt


* * * * * * * *


All Earthly Fathers
by David O. Bales
Romans 8:12-25

SermonStudio

Elizabeth Achtemeier
Jacob is on a journey from Hebron to Haran, Abraham's original home in northern Mesopotamia. In the context, two different reasons are given for the journey. According to the Yahwist account in Genesis 27:41-45, Jacob is fleeing to save his life from the wrath of his brother Esau. In the priestly account of Genesis 27:46--28:1-5, Jacob journeys to find a wife from his own clan. Both reasons may be involved, because God's purpose works its way through all sorts of motivations.
William E. Keeney
He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25but while everyone was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Genesis 28:10--19a (C)
Upon hearing of Esau's plan to kill Jacob after Isaac's death, Rebekah spirits Jacob back to her relatives in her native land. It is an unsettling time for Jacob, leaving home and a fugitive. Jacob stops for a night at Bethel and in his dream God reaffirms the covenant he made with Abraham and Isaac. In the dream, Jacob views a stairway to heaven, probably a ziggurat, with the angels of God ascending and descending. This establishes Beth--el (house of God) as a sanctuary until the time of Josiah.
Justin W. Tull
The flame is a part of our biblical heritage, from the burning bush, to pillars of fire, to the flaming tongues of the Spirit at Pentecost.

The flame is a part of our church tradition and biblical tradition. It symbolizes the Spirit of God that interacts with us in so many different ways. Today we take a look at Moses' experience at the burning bush. From this account we may learn many things about ourselves and about the God we worship.
Larry M. Goodpaster
Obscenity, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. With words to that effect more than two decades ago the Supreme Court of the United States of America left the decisions regarding pornography in the hands of local communities. During the intervening years states and cities have struggled with the issue, desiring to uphold the basic rights of freedom of speech and expression, and at the same time attempting to establish and maintain what is decent and acceptable to the majority. The latest entry to invade this debate and garner headlines is music.
John R. Brokhoff
"This is a perplexing parable." This is George Buttrick's first sentence in the chapter discussing the parable of the Weeds and Wheat. Indeed, it is perplexing. He could have said it again and again.

In the parable Jesus teaches that the bad weeds (evildoers) are to remain together with the wheat (God's people) until Judgment Day when God's angels will separate them, one for the fire, the other for glory. In the light of this, we ask perplexing questions.
Gary L. Carver
How to begin a sermon? It always is a preacher's dilemma as to how to introduce a sermon. I never seem to know. I do know that one has said that an introduction to a sermon should be short and concise and should introduce the main thought that the proclaimer is seeking to present. I also know that it is very much appreciated if the introduction is very close to the conclusion. But, how does one introduce a sermon?
Stephen M. Crotts
All of the Bible is inspired. But just as some parts of a turkey have more meat on them, so some parts of the Bible are meatier than others. For example, the genealogies of Leviticus versus the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 13 is one of the meatier portions of the scriptures. It is unique as an identifiable sermon of Christ Jesus, a series of seven, maybe eight parables that seem to be prophetic, to foretell the history of ministry ahead of time.

The parable of the wheat and the tares is the second in Jesus' sermon. Let's look at it now.
Thom M. Shuman
Call To Worship
One: We come to the One
who knows all the facts about our lives;
All: we are open books to God,
who writes on every page.
One: We approach the One
who knows what we are thinking;
All: our thoughts, our fears, our hopes
are all known by God.
One: We worship the One
who is always with us,
in front of us, behind us, around us;
All: what a wonderful God!
How blessed we are!

Prayer Of The Day
You we praise, Searching God,
Wayne H. Keller
Celebrating The Presence Of God

Invitation to the Celebration

In the Name of the Eternal Gardener, welcome to the world of wheat and weeds. Following the creation, God pronounced the world "very good," which means, "fit for the purpose for which it was intended."ÊWe rejoice in our creation. Thank you, Lord, for putting us here, where you work with us, on us, within us, and through us, to eliminate the weeds in our own lives, and in the life of your church. Yes, thank you, even though we do not always appreciate your gardening methods.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

R. Craig Maccreary
I suppose all of us have particular objects of our venom and disgust. Whenever said object comes up in conversation unless we are prepared for a battle royal, loss of friendship, and a potential conviction for felony assault, we find ourselves saying, "Don't get me started." When it comes to the matter at hand we better not get started because we have no idea how things might end. Here in New England you can easily make a conversation go nuclear by simply mentioning the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in the same breath.
Sandra Herrmann
Genesis 28:10-19a
What is the connection between heaven and earth? What makes Jacob think that he is the chosen one through whom the nation of Israel will come into being? Genesis is full of these questions, with story explanations for the reason things are as they are. This story, which we traditionally call "Jacob's Dream," is one of them. (Although the translation in the King James Version and carried forward out of respect for tradition is incorrectly rendered as "ladder" actually should be read as "stairway" or "ramp.")

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Teachers or Parents: Heaven may seem somewhat esoteric and remote for the children (and for us as well), but heaven is our hope that will not disappoint us (see first lesson).

*If your church (or home) has a flower bed, have a class project of weeding it as a service to the church. Read again the parable Jesus told (where the weeds were not removed). Share how removing the weeds helps the flowers grow better.

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