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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Possessions bring responsibility -- Genesis 3:8-19, Hebrews 4:1-3, 9-13, Mark 10:17-30 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1991
Today's lessons introduce the issue of material wealth with almost as much stringency as the issue o
Creation then and now -- 2 Samuel 5:1-12, 2 Samuel 5:1-12 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1991
Differences between biblical views of the world and modern views are always a challenge to the inter
Good? -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - B -- 1991
What is good about Good Friday?
Jesus' followers face change -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:46-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1991
During a lifetime, changes come that shake us up and require major adjustments.
Reality -- 2 Samuel 18:24-33, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1991
What is reality? Is it material and physical so it may be tested by our senses?
Conflict and caring -- 1 Samuel 16:14-23, 1 Samuel 16:14-23 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1991
During the past six months, the mobilization for war showed how demanding and severe conflict can be
Called by God -- 2 Samuel 7:18-29, Ephesians 1:1-10, Mark 6:7-13 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1991
When I read about Amos' certainty of his call from God, I wonder.
Passion -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1991
Each year we take time during Lent to follow Jesus along his road from high admiration to the cross.
Commitment -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Ephesians 5:21-33, John 6:55-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1991
Where should our commitments focus?
Easter -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-12, John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1991
Easter is a stark reminder that nothing we can do can overcome the power of God.
Three for the show -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1991
You remember that child's game that requires someone to say, "One for the money, two for the show, t
God in the commonplace -- 2 Kings 2:1-12a, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1991
Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote these lines in her poem Aurora Leigh.
Miracle -- 2 Samuel 12:15b-24, Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1991
For the month of August, lessons from the Gospel of John will explore insights related to Jesus' fee
What role for law? -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1991
From one point of view in his time, Jesus played fast and loose with the law.
Getting along -- Proverbs 2:1-8, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:31-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1991
Getting along, just getting along, that is how most of us live most of the time.
Commanded to love -- Exodus 24:3-8, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1991
How can love be commanded? Is it not supposed to be spontaneous?
Service and ambition -- Isaiah 23:7-12, Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1991
How serious is the contrast between the biblical teaching of sacrificial service and the worldly com
Self denial -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2 (3-10) -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1991
I have a missionary friend who has spent most of his adult life in India working as a missionary-edu
Repetition -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1991
If you are on course with your preaching, you will sometimes notice how it seems you are saying the
God's kingdom and growth -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1991
In the northern hemisphere, June is an ideal time to think of growing things.
Reading the other side of the New Testament -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:35-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1991
It is important that we never forget that the New Testament was written in the midst of real life, r
Marriage and divorce -- Genesis 2:18-24, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1991
Jesus' teaching about divorce has seemed too austere, even legalistic, to Christians in modern socie
Not for graveyards -- Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 1991
No doubt you have heard me say it before, "Easter is not for graveyards."
Limits of legalism -- 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12, Ephesians 6:10-20, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1991
Once again, as on the second Sunday of Pentecost, the lesson reports how Jesus faced criticism for b
What is the Law? -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1991
One of the difficult things we do around the church is to use the same word when we mean different t

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The United States has seen three distinct instances... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
The United States has seen three distinct instances of religious revival in its history, known as Gr
In a couple of months... -- John 12:20-33 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
In a couple of months, the world's eyes will look to a lit cauldron atop a massive stadium in the ci
Sermon Illustrations for Passion Sunday (2012) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2012
Isaiah 50:4-9a
First Lady Michelle Obama became... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Ron Love -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2012
First Lady Michelle Obama became defensive with the publication of the book The Obamas, by
In 1722 a group of persecuted Protestants... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2012
In 1722 a group of persecuted Protestants from the area of Bohemia and Moravia moved to the estate o
Having majored in English in college... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Craig Kelly -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2012
Having majored in English in college, I have a deep affection for literature.
When the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the dark days... -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Ron Love -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2012
When the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the dark days of defeat, broadcaster Myron Cope tried to do som
Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2012) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
So many different holidays... -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Craig Kelly -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
It's interesting how we have so many different holidays on our calendar, many of which have little r
Christopher H. Evans, co-author of the book... -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
Christopher H.
There is an uncompromising difference between Catholics and Protestants... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Ron Love -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
There is an uncompromising difference between Roman Catholics and Protestants in the interpretation
Douglas Steere taught philosophy at Haverford College... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
Douglas Steere taught philosophy at Haverford College near Philadelphia for many years, but Steere w
We don't have professional foot washers... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Craig Kelly -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
We don't have professional foot washers in twenty-first-century North America, so it's rather diffic
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
From the early years of the church... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
From the early years of the church people of faith have been responding to the call of the writer of
I love going to concerts... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Craig Kelly -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
I love going to concerts. It always thrills me to hear bands I love playing my favorite songs live.
There seems each year that there is a doomsayer... -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
There seems each year that there is a doomsayer who is predicting the end of the world.
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2012) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Acts 10:34-43
Leonard Sweet tells an old story... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Leonard Sweet tells an old story about three African elders visiting the West.
Our system of justice is... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Craig Kelly -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Our system of justice is based to a great degree on testimony.
Paul reminded the constituents... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Paul reminded the constituents in the church at Corinth "of the good news that I proclaimed to you,
The boy was saddened and cried... -- John 20:1-18 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Chuck Swindoll in his book, Growing Deep in the Christian Life relates the story about a Sund
There is something fascinating about illusionists... -- John 20:1-18 -- Craig Kelly -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
There is something fascinating about illusionists like David Copperfield or Penn and Teller.
Sermon Illustrations for Second Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 4:32-35

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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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