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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

From humiliation to exaltation -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1994
In the modern church, this Sunday has a dual designation: Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday.
Intergenerational traveling -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1994
Unfortunately my mother's father died several years before I was born.
Your life has a purpose -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1994
We live in a time of deep religious hungering. This generation of seekers longs for meaning.
Mary, sister of the poor and oppressed -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
It is not the resplendent Queen of Heaven that we meet in Luke's nativity story but a flesh and bloo
Running scared -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
Whether by the choice of the designers of the lectionary or by coincidence, fear is operative in eac
Believe it possible, then go ahead -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
It was her first experience out after dark.
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
Seeing and not seeing -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
Job and blind Bartimaeus share some things in common.
The God beyond our dogmas -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1994
Just recently I came across a cartoon.
Shock treatment -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1994
Last week via the gospel lesson we joined Jesus and his disciples in a journey through Galilee.
God and the back forty -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1994
Luke's nativity stories focus not on the movers, shakers and power centers of that ancient world but
New directions -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
Note: Charting The Course and illustrations are provided for both Ascension Day/Sunday and Easter 7.
Where? How? What? When? Why? -- Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1994
NOTE: Charting The Course and illustrations are provided for both Ascension Day/Sunday and Easter 7.
The scandal of servanthood -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
On the solemn evening of what has come to be called Maundy Thursday, we customarily gather to recall
Where do we stand? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1994
On this last Sunday of the church year the gospel lesson brings us face to face with Pontius Pilate.
"One feast, of holy days the crest" -- Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 1994
"One feast, of holy days the crest, I, though no Churchman, love to keep,
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
One homiletical key for using either the Old Testament or gospel lesson for this Sunday is to keep i
Scandalous behavior! -- Exodus 20:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Robert A. Beringer -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
When Paul wrote, "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to the Gentiles,"
From boredom to boldness -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
One of the dangers the followers of Jesus face in any age is staying alert to the magnificence of ou
Forever is a long time -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Mark 3:20-35 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1994
About the author
From death to life! -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
One of the moral dilemmas that has to be dealt with in these days when human organs are being transp
A necessary mid-course correction -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1994
About the author Michael L.
Magnetic appeal -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
One of the strange paradoxes of the human race is that we should be so strongly attracted to the cro
A mystery of active love -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1994
After the festivities of Pentecost, this Sunday presents another mystery to worshipers.
God remembers in a rainbow -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
"Pastor," he began, "I want to tell you how distressed I am that we continue to have a prayer of con

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The people of God... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
The people of God had been in a state of darkness, but now the light has come.
Dr. Tom Barnard wrote... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
Dr.
The 1880s were... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
The 1880s were a revolutionary time in international transportation.
Based on his research... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
Based on his research on the personal consequences of work in the age of globalization, sociologist
Jesus was born... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
Jesus was born in Bethlehem where Herod was ruler, under the Romans.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 (2014) -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
Isaiah 49:1-7
Does God go back... -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
Does God go back before we are born to make us his servant?
With the dawn... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
With the dawn of the Second Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s public education was made availa
There is a marked... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
There is a marked decline in human faithfulness in contemporary America.
Ever wonder what God... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
Ever wonder what God looks like?
A lamb was slaughtered... -- John 1:29-42 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2013
A lamb was slaughtered in remembrance of the escape from Egypt.
The angels announced to the shepherds... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mark J. Molldrem -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
The angels announced to the shepherds that Jesus is the savior.
Women and children and unsaved into the lifeboats... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
"Women and children and unsaved into the lifeboats!" Note in this cry the rescuer's word "unsaved."
How we feel like doing loving things this time of year... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
The Christmas spirit. How we feel like doing loving things this time of year.
Why did they have to bring up taxes?... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
Why did they have to bring up taxes? Where was the Tea Party back then?
This past fall a new TV series was introduced... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
This past fall a new TV series was introduced: Revolution.
At last the darkness has passed... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
At last the darkness has passed: our shopping is over. The gifts are wrapped. The tree is lit.
Sermon Illustrations for The Nativity of Our Lord (2012) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
Isaiah 9:2-7
In a comic strip that appears regularly... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
In a comic strip that appears regularly in the Sunday newspaper, a man is greeted by his wife as he
The earliest Jewish belief shared by the Greeks... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
The earliest Jewish belief, shared by the Greeks, was that the firmament was a solid dome.
This lesson is a prophecy of the Messiah... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
This lesson is a prophecy of the Messiah.
We need to ask our Lord about the sacrifices we make every week... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
This passage is a quote from the Psalms.
When we look over the political landscape... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
When we look over the political landscape, before and after the recent election, we wonder what inte
Mary's famous prayer, The Magnificat, is a profound... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Mary's famous prayer, The Magnificat, is a profound and moving celebration of God's merciful treatme
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2012) -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Micah 5:2-5a

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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?”

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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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