Emphasis Contributors
Ascension of the Lord - B
Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for this Festival of Ascension all testify to the heavenly power and cosmic presence of Christ.
Acts 1:1-11
The First Lesson is a reading from the very beginning of the second half of a two-part history of the church traditionally attributed to Luke, a physician and Gentile associate of Paul (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24). There is some dispute about the date of composition, whether it was composed before Paul’s martyrdom (between 65 and 67 AD) or much later after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 AD. In any case, the author’s stress on the universal mission of the church (1:8) and so on the effort to validate Paul’s ministry reflects in this lesson. It is the introduction to the book and an account of...
Acts 1:1-11
The First Lesson is a reading from the very beginning of the second half of a two-part history of the church traditionally attributed to Luke, a physician and Gentile associate of Paul (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24). There is some dispute about the date of composition, whether it was composed before Paul’s martyrdom (between 65 and 67 AD) or much later after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 AD. In any case, the author’s stress on the universal mission of the church (1:8) and so on the effort to validate Paul’s ministry reflects in this lesson. It is the introduction to the book and an account of...
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Acts 1:1-11
As I write this, world events have inspired any number of Christians in my area to speculate that these are clear signs of the end. By the time you read this those great events will be history, but don’t worry, stuff is happening as you read this that is causing some to speculate those current events are clear signs of the end.
There’s no question that according to scripture God the Creator, will end history at a time in accordance with the Divine Will. That will be a day of rejoicing – for somebody. But one of the qualifications for being counted as part of God’s people is not staring at the sky waiting for the return of Jesus. That’s obvious not only through his own words, but the words of the “two men in white robes,” quite...
As I write this, world events have inspired any number of Christians in my area to speculate that these are clear signs of the end. By the time you read this those great events will be history, but don’t worry, stuff is happening as you read this that is causing some to speculate those current events are clear signs of the end.
There’s no question that according to scripture God the Creator, will end history at a time in accordance with the Divine Will. That will be a day of rejoicing – for somebody. But one of the qualifications for being counted as part of God’s people is not staring at the sky waiting for the return of Jesus. That’s obvious not only through his own words, but the words of the “two men in white robes,” quite...
Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Frank Ramirez
Today’s scriptures call upon us to listen carefully — to Jesus, through his words in the New Testament, and to the Spirit helping us to interpret that word and speaking directly in our hearts. And sometimes God is also speaking to us in the created universe. But make sure it is God we are listening to, and not ourselves.
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
According to Luke, in both his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus gave his disciples specific instructions. He opened their hearts and minds to the scriptures. He told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit sent them out into the world, because “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you….” (Acts 1:8). Upon their return to Jerusalem around 120 women and men gather, “constantly...
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
According to Luke, in both his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus gave his disciples specific instructions. He opened their hearts and minds to the scriptures. He told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit sent them out into the world, because “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you….” (Acts 1:8). Upon their return to Jerusalem around 120 women and men gather, “constantly...
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Over the Christmas season, I saw a picture of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes with his wife Brittany and their two young children. Like many people, the Mahomes’ took their kids to see Santa Claus. Patrick, Brittany, and Santa are all smiles, however, two-year-old daughter Sterling and one-year-old Bronze looked just like thousands of other kids, scared, and wanting to be somewhere else. It reminded me of how alike people are.
Patrick Mahomes is an extraordinary football talent. All Chiefs’ fans are glad he’s on their team. However, God does not necessarily choose the elite among us. There’s not a better example of that than the selection of Matthias in Acts 1.
Over the Christmas season, I saw a picture of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes with his wife Brittany and their two young children. Like many people, the Mahomes’ took their kids to see Santa Claus. Patrick, Brittany, and Santa are all smiles, however, two-year-old daughter Sterling and one-year-old Bronze looked just like thousands of other kids, scared, and wanting to be somewhere else. It reminded me of how alike people are.
Patrick Mahomes is an extraordinary football talent. All Chiefs’ fans are glad he’s on their team. However, God does not necessarily choose the elite among us. There’s not a better example of that than the selection of Matthias in Acts 1.
Lectionary Commentary and Sermon Illustrations
Emphasis Preaching Journal provides in-depth lectionary-based commentary on lectionary texts, plus thousands of sermon illustrations to help you create riveting sermons.For over 45 years, Emphasis has provided subscribers with scripturally sound, lectionary-based commentaries and sermon illustrations that connect with the people in the pews.
For each week, Emphasis writers delve into the heart of the lectionary readings, providing you with several fresh, solid ideas -- based squarely on the lectionary texts -- for creating sermons that speak powerfully to your audience. They look for overall themes that hold the readings together. Then, they zero in on the themes and the specific scripture links, suggesting directions for the sermon and worship service. Since a single idea each week may not provide what you are looking for at that particular time, writers suggest several, giving you the opportunity to select the one that matches your specific needs.