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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

A share of the Spirit -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
"Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it." Now there is a bit of sage advice tha
Do you see what I see? -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, Psalm 20 -- David Kalas -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Sellers will sometimes advertise with the initials "WYSIWYG" -- What you see is what
Married to God -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
For this Sunday, the lessons have a positive, happy view, as might be expected in this season of Epi
Opposites -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
The traditional symbol for drama was two masks, one for comedy with the mouth wide and corners turne
God of the ages -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
What is the relationship between the past, the present, and the future?
Costly Discipleship -- Isaiah 50:4-10, James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18, Mark 8:27-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
One of the great tragedies that has befallen the modern Christian church is the current-day movement
Prophets -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Unfortunately for us the word "prophet" has come to be a kind of category word that embraces a
When silence is not golden! -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
The avalanche of dealings we have had these past weeks with sin, impending judgment and the call for
From God to us -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14, Psalm 98 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A
There will be a lot of present-opening these days.
When the predictions become reality -- Isaiah 66:16-23, Hebrews 12:18-24, Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Most of the time, I think the predictions of the Bible, especially those related to the coming of th
Search and preserve mission -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- William H. Shepherd -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
"Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty," says the bumper sticker.
More than meets the eye -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
In many congregations this Sunday after Labor Day marks the transition from the lessened activity of
Looking For God In Miracles -- 1 Kings 17:17-24, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C
"If only things like that would happen once again.
System requirements -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10, Psalm 137 -- David Kalas -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
Before you buy a new piece of software, you check the side of the box where it lists the system requ
Know thyself -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
While this famous Greek maxim is attributed to any number of ancient Greek
"X" marks the spot -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Psalm 119:129-136 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
God works in hidden ways.
Transfiguration or disfiguration -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
The transfiguration plunges us into the kind of text that many preachers would rather avoid if possi
For there's no other way -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
When I sit down to plan the worship services for this Sunday, I will start by penciling in John H.
The Blood -- Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
One of the interesting things about blood, as it is presented in the New Testament, is the fact that
Snake oil religion and tunnel vision -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Browsing through a friend's collection of antique botties I came across a bottle of patent medicine.
The old and the new -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
The beginning of a new church year and a new lectionary series from the Gospel of Luke set me to mus
Faithful finances -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Reformation Sunday - C
They are almost universally despised and ridiculed in our country, but it is impossible to avoid at
Baptism -- Isaiah 61:1-4, Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Most of the time we hear the evangelistic declaration that baptism is a rite of cleansing, a sign of
Christmas Comes All the Time -- Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55), Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Probably the worst thing we do at Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Vocation -- Isaiah 42:1-7, Acts 10:34-38, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
In most of Christian history, the church has needed to stress the calling to service within its own

Communicating God's Love

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Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Eugene Peterson not only produces Bible translations, he also is a poet.
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Bob Ove -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
There is no jihad in Christianity.
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Las Vegas is the prime destination for trade shows.
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Pilate exemplifies what Winston Churchill once observed: "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, b
NULL -- John 18:33-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Three-year-old Benjamin pranced around wearing his Burger King crown.
Sermon Illustrations for Thanksgiving (2012) -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Joel 2:21-27
NULL -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
There is an ecological dimension to this text (concern with the land).
NULL -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
A couple traveling in Europe wanted to stop in and see a famous Jewish rabbi who happened to live ne
NULL -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
One year Thanksgiving plans were cancelled for the Husings.
NULL -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Bob Ove -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Timothy didn't fail! That is one reason the church grew so fast in those early years!
NULL -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
In the tradition of what was started by Leymah Gbowee, 2012 Nobel Peace Laureate, the women of Liber
NULL -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Ron Love -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
In July 2012 at a Sotheby's auction, Edvard Munch's painting The Scream was sold for $120 mil
NULL -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Arthur Gordon was a writer who helped many people on their own spiritual journeys, yet he had his ow
NULL -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Martin Luther provides compelling images about this text: "Day and night everybody's concern is how
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2012) -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9
The Wisdom of Solomon from the Apocrypha... -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
The Wisdom of Solomon from the Apocrypha, those writings that illuminate the period between the Old
The lesson refers to grace and mercy... -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
The lesson refers to grace and mercy being on God's holy ones (v. 9).
When multi-billionaire Warren Buffett was eleven years old... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Ron Love -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
When multi-billionaire Warren Buffett was eleven years old, in the spring of 1942, he made his first
One thing that caught me is that we are one bride... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Bob Ove -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
One thing that caught me is that we are one bride!
Jose Guadalupe Posada, renowned Mexican cartoonist and illustrator... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Mark J. Molldrem -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Jose Guadalupe Posada, renowned Mexican cartoonist and illustrator, used calaveras (animated
Ruby looked forward to church potlucks... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
At 103, Ruby looked forward to church potlucks.
There was much lamenting that had Jesus come sooner... -- John 11:32-44 -- Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
There was much lamenting that had Jesus come sooner Lazarus might not have died (v. 32).
Doris Donnelly, challenges the stigma of weeping... -- John 11:32-44 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Doris Donnelly, in her book Spiritual Fitness, challenges the stigma of weeping and shows how
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2012) -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Jeremiah 33:14-16
When you read those words... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
When you read those words that seem to imply that the city Jerusalem will live in safety, do you won

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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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