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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Life is precious -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1994
Concern, excitement, awe, wonder, relief, joy.
Someone there is who doesn't like a wall! -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1994
The New Testament lessons for this day challenge us to rethink popular and stereotyped understanding
Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1994
dden It would be difficult to find in literature any description of the devastating effect of a p
Hearing and not hearing -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1994
The Old Testament lesson gives us an example of the diversity that characterizes the writings in the
Keeping the faith in tough times -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
Each lesson for this Sunday reflects a background of change, uncertainty, threat, and social volatil
The little dogs of God -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1994
The overarching theological theme in today's gospel lesson is the growing inclusiveness of the missi
Esther's choice -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
Esther's acceptance into the Jewish canon was attended by controversy.
Uniquely for these days -- Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1994
The preacher should feel no obligation to find any common link among the readings for any given Sund
Easter -- victory,vindication and validation -- Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
George M. Wiseman has written:Too long the world has missed the Easter Glory,
"Even those who are pure in heart" -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1994
The preacher who chooses either the Old Testament or Gospel lesson as the basis for a sermon will wa
Empowered for mission -- Acts 3:12-19, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
God's Easter people were called into being for a purpose.
The strange ways of God -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1994
The sight of David and his entourage singing and dancing before the ark to the accompaniment of lyre
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1994
About the author
What goes around comes around! -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1994
The story of Absalom and his disastrous revolt is one of the great narratives of the Old Testament.
Abide with me -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
About the author
Who really sees him? -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1994
The writer's task for this section of Charting The Course is to tie the week's readings together by
Celebrate the new year! -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1994
About the author R.
The strenuous call of Jesus -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1994
There is a new wave of interest in angels that is part of the current religious smorgasbord in the A
Despite our feet of clay -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1994
I wonder how many adults were effectively immunized against serious Bible study as a result of vague
Come Holy Spirit! -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1994
This festival is often a problem. Who is the Holy Spirit?
The triumph of the cross -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - B -- 1994
Imagine this scenario: a small religious group in America catches the headlines with their novel bel
Christ's peculiar community -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
This Sunday's texts are a continuation of the previous week's discussions of God's presence in the c
Becoming an Easter people -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
In 1972, Avery and Marsh wrote a song titled, "Every Morning Is Easter Morning From Now On." The son
This Lent give up sin -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1994
Traditionally, the church prepares for Easter by engaging in a time for penitence, prayer and fastin
A story for mean-spirited times -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1994
In the decade of the 50s, when one biblical epic after another came out of Hollywood, 20th Century F

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2014) -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
Isaiah 9:1-4
We are still... -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
We are still a nation plagued by slavery.
My old Renault... -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
My old Renault sputtered and died on my third attempt to get to college for my sophomore year.
The Crimean War... -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
The Crimean War (1845-1856) was the first war that was brought into the living rooms of individuals
That passage can't... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
That passage can't help but make me think: I follow Luther! I follow Peter! I follow Calvin!
When the typewriter... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
When the typewriter was first developed and used in business, its use was restricted to men.
Christ came calling... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
Christ came calling people of his day to repentance for their sins.
Many Americans think... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
Many Americans think that responding to the call of God is what makes the Christian a Christian, tha
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 5 (2014) -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2013
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
Isaiah realized... -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2013
Isaiah realized that the people of God had lost their impact upon society because they had misplaced
This is a text... -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2013
This is a text that links the quest for social justice with worship (vv. 6-7).
During the Crimean War... -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2013
During the Crimean War (1854-1856), Florence Nightingale organized a corps of nurses to tend to the
We got our... -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2013
We got our highfalutin' words of wisdom from seminary, but we had to translate them for the people i
With the advancement... -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2013
With the advancement of higher education and the need to specialize, the age of "professionalism" be
Jesus wants his... -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2013
Jesus wants his disciples to be the salt of the earth (v. 13).
Disciples influence the world... -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2013
Disciples influence the world as salt affects food.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 7 (2014) -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48 -- Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
In Preaching Daily... -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
In Preaching Daily a story is told about a little two-year-old boy named Blaine Morris who ob
In August 2013... -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
In August 2013, a young Indian photojournalist and her accompanying boyfriend were on assignment in
Poverty plagues... -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
Poverty plagues America. The U.S.
We are each responsible... -- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
We are each responsible for building on the foundation in Christ.
In 1848 the papacy... -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
In 1848 the papacy was nearly overthrown, and in 1860 it lost most of its domains with the unificati
Americans have... -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
Americans have over-inflated images about themselves.
My coworker's fiance's... -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
My coworker's fiancée's birthplace outlawed Christianity.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of Our Lord (2014) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
Isaiah 60:1-6

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UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
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23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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