Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Lent Sale - Save $131!
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Fashionable Faith -- Psalm 98, Zechariah 7:1-10, Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Once when I was pastor of a small church, a new couple began to attend and became quite faithful.
Aha! -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, John 1:1-18, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Sometimes when I watch some Christians, I get the idea that they have a major spiritual affliction c
Windsurfing -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Day of Pentecost - A
We've all seen them -- women and men, girls and boys, wrestling with huge sails attached to a small
Patience, blossoms and open eyes! -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
Every pastor should have the opportunity of going to the Land of the Bible, and doing it early in li
The God Who Comes to Us -- Numbers 6:22-27, Philippians 2:9-13, Luke 2:15-21
Just as many are forever pushing Jesus away and holding him at arms length with their insistence on
The Affirmation of Life -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:11b-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
One of the reasons so many are skeptical about Christianity is what they see and hear from people wh
The Presence in Our Midst -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-13 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
There are those who seem to be forever looking for God's coming.
One Lord -- Ephesians 4:1-6, Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:24-35 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Proverbs 8:22-31, John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
In all probability, most Christians have, at one time or another, agonized over the doctrine of the
Poetic mysteries -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-55 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
As the mystery and wonder of Christmas draws nearer, the Sunday lessons turn to poetry.
God Fulfills His Promises -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
From the promises of the Old Testament prophets (today’s selection is from Jeremiah) to the fulfillm
Doing the impossible -- Lamentations 1:1-6; 3:19-26, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
The prayerful expressions of grief found in Lamentations reflect the pain, despair, and raw emotions
Now I lay me down to love -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
I have three young daughters. One of them in particular would say that she is an animal
Faithfulness -- Psalm 28, Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
I suppose that there are as many definitions of faithfulness as there are preachers and laypersons g
The End of Things -- Isaiah 52:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Luke 19:11-27 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
One cannot read the New Testament with understanding unless one hears the continual expectation of t
Persecution -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Passion Sunday - C
Sometimes you will hear someone making great protestations about the ways in which they are persecut
Whisper power -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Were all the stories of the Bible of heroes who did not stumble, few of us could connect.
For those who don't know -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Every so often, we come across an event where, as we watch the people involved, we conclude, "They h
A distinctive king -- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Kings are not exactly in vogue at the present time.
Reward -- Psalm 34, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
One of the vexing problems that most of us never take time to face is the problem of reward.
Finding safety in the call of the wild -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
There are two themes that run through the passages for today.
Raising Our Sights -- Ezekiel 23:1-9, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-15
Those Other People -- 1 Kings 19:9-14, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 9:18-24 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
In all probability the worst sin most of us commit is the sin of imagining we, of all the people in
Ride on in majesty? -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
As the ship made her way down the channel, there was hardly a dry eye among those watching.
More than one tale can tell -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 93 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Ascension Day is perhaps one of the least celebrated of the major Christian feasts.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The harbor in Charleston, South Carolina, has engaged in a $15 million project to deepen the channel
NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The book of Proverbs begins with wisdom personified as a woman, and it ends with a canticle of prais
NULL -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Envy is destructive. The evil stepmother of Snow White actually killed her out of envy.
NULL -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Herman Wouk, the novelist who wrote such best-sellers as The Caine Mutiny, Marjorie Mornin
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The Washington Post did a review of books about the Titanic on the 100th anniversary o
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The children of Shepherd's Preschool loved being leaders.
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
I went with a friend to a gigantic healing service in Sacramento years ago.
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Jesus probably had a home base in Capernaum, which no doubt involved a house.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2012) -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
NULL -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
In Esther 9:20-22 we have the origins of the festival of Purim associated with the Esther story.
NULL -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
With a lot of earthly wisdom and femme fatale, Esther achieved justice for the Jewish people, perhap
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Prayer comes up often in scripture. Can you point to prayers that God has answered for you?
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Measles, chickenpox, swine flu, mad cow disease -- medical words today's "youth" recognize.
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
There is a ministry in many congregations today that uses prayer shawls to comfort those who are sic
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
The Los Angeles Police Department experimented with a new technology that has become so effective in
NULL -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Jesus wants to maintain our saltiness; he gives us more salt!
NULL -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
John shows how far the disciples were from understanding Jesus' teachings.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 (2012) -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Ron Love, Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Job 1:1; 2:1-10
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
In the TV series 24, which aired several years ago, Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland)
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
One of my sons is getting his degree, and he sometimes complains about the tests he will have to tak
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Exploration of family background revealed that William Moore was born and raised in the territory of
NULL -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
There is a gentleman who quietly lives in Summerville, South Carolina, and goes unrecognized by his
NULL -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Louis Cassels, in his Christian Primer, explains why God revealed himself in the way he did b
NULL -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Famed preacher of the early church John Chrysostom [known as the one with a golden mouth] offers an
NULL -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
True or False: Eating pink pork will make you sick?

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Pentecost
33 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Trinity Sunday
25 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
19 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 4 | OT 9
27 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
20 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
22 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In preaching about a certain passage once, I freely made reference to the Trinity. A church member, who rather prided himself on being contrarian, said to me afterward, “You know that the Trinity did not exist until the fourth century.”
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Isaiah 6:1-8

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Indeed, God did not send the son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. (v. 17)

Who or what determines who goes to heaven and who goes the other direction?

C.S. Lewis, in his book, The Great Divorce, suggests that it is really up to us.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: An empty trash bag. I use a large, black plastic bag that everyone can easily see. You will also want three photographs to use. I used 8x11-sized copies of photos of three unknown people.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
In this story, Mary Louise's dolls come to life on Mid-Summer's Eve, because Mary Louise herself gives them a kiss. She discovers something of herself in each of her dolls, but only one doll acts in exactly the way Mary Louise would have wished. The allegories to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are hopefully obvious!

Mary Louise was a little bit lonely. Not completely lonely, but just a little bit. With no brothers or sisters, Mary Louise spent quite a lot of time playing by herself. Although not completely by herself, for

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary for The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1; see The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1 Cycles A and B for alternative approaches.)

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
God's holiness awes, cleanses, inspires, and sends forth.

Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 6:1-8
The Call Of Isaiah

William J. Carl, III
Think of all the faces we show the world every day. We scrub up every morning and put our game face on. We never show our real face except to those who know us best, the ones who see through the game face to the real you and me. But with everyone else we change our faces.

Richard L. Sheffield
In the "Science & Technology," section of a recent issue of Business Week magazine, there was an article about the latest on A - I - D - S, the complicated disease we've come to know simply as AIDS. It says the scientists are learning a lot. One of the things they're learning is how the disease kills. And like just about everything that matters, it isn't simple. Says Business Week, "... HIV doesn't mysteriously lie dormant in the body only to emerge years later, as once thought.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL