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David O. Bales

David Bales was a Presbyterian pastor for 33 years. He is a graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary. In addition to his ministry he also has taught college: World Religions, Ethics, Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek (lately at College of Idaho, Caldwell). He has been a freelance writer for Stephen Ministries. His sermons and articles have appeared in Interpretation, Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching the Great Texts and other publications. For a year he wrote the online column "In The Original: Insights from Greek and Hebrew for the Lectionary Passages." His books include: Gospel Subplots: Story Sermons of God's Grace, Toward Easter and Beyond, Scenes of Glory: Subplots of God's Long Story, and To the Cross and Beyond and Beyond: Cycle A Sermons for Lent and Easter. Dave has been a writer for the CSS online subscription, StoryShare, for five years. He can be reached at dobales.com.

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Sermon

SermonStudio

The Ordinary In God's Hands -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- David O. Bales -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2007
The apostle Paul writes to a church where he was the founding pastor.
A Friday We Call "Good" -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- David O. Bales -- Good Friday - A -- 2007
After our last trip to Israel, a number in our group met to share photos and memories.
Dust And Ashes Wednesday -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- David O. Bales -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
The Passion of the Christ, is a helpful movie to consider for Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Lighting Up Lent -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Can you recall a significant event that changed many things about you: maybe a natural disaster like
Life In The Resurrection Zone -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- David O. Bales -- Easter Day - A -- 2007
Sermon Note: Before this sermon something like the following needs to be included the worship
A Living Hope (If It Hadn't Been For Easter) -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- David O. Bales -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
A church member read the New Testament and concluded, "Amazing things were going on back then.
Oddballs For God -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- David O. Bales -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Immigration reform swirls around us. Immigrants, documented and undocumented, live among us.
A Big Enough Reason -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Peter writes to Christian slaves.
Yes, You -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- David O. Bales -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Most congregations experience the joy of their former pastors visiting.
Rock Bottom -- 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- David O. Bales -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Peter begins a new paragraph here by asking, "Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is g
Power Sharing -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- David O. Bales -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2007
Modern people are fascinated with power.
Watchman, Tell Us Of The Night -- Isaiah 21:11-12 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
To strangers the plains of Eastern Montana seem barren, especially in late autumn.
The L & L Ranch -- John 11:25-26 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Being a woman causes difficulties in being a pastor, not only because many men think I should not be
What Really Matters -- Galatians 5:22-23 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Larry and Evelyn Schmidt lay awake long past their usual time for sleep. It was midnight at least.
The Half Pencil Doctor -- 1 John 3:18 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Since his dying father placed a hand on his and asked that his ashes be taken to Bloomfield, Iowa, a
Mall Meeting -- Galatians 6:1-2 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Joan Detlef slammed the screen door behind her.
Life Beside The Falls -- Ezekiel 47:1-12 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
The first storm of autumn clamped down with unseasonable cold -- lows at night in the teens -- which
Four Years Not Quite Too Late -- Matthew 2:1-2 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
At the Christian Endeavor Christmas party, 1948, the group of high school students had sung Christma
The Revolutionary In Bethlehem -- Luke 2:1-20 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
In the seven hundred and forty-seventh year since the founding of Rome, in the province of Judea, a
Pilate's Friend -- John 19:1-12 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Throughout the ancient world being the friend of the king meant that you trusted the king to protect
The Photograph On The Piano -- John 3:16 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
No matter how careful the nursing and housekeeping staffs, the smell of body fluids hung in the room
Where The Halls Cross -- Luke 10:25-37 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
I have the two best jobs in the world.
Over The Pass -- John 20:23 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Gerald Carrier's mind was pretty much unoccupied for a dozen miles as he maneuvered the big station
The Cathedral Corner Cafe -- Romans 12:14-21 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Letty looked around the cafe.
Why Do People Suffer? -- Mark 15:33-39 -- David O. Bales -- 2000
Susan Ingraham was late for worship, but no one could tell she was hurrying -- regular, sharp gait,

Stories

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One King Dead, Another King Eternal -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, Psalm 29 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2021
Contents“One King Dead, Another King Eternal” by David O. Bales
Through Michal's Two Windows -- Ephesians 1:3-14, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Psalm 24 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2021
Contents“Through Michal’s Two Windows” by David O. Bales
Seeing Your Sin -- 2 Samuel 11-26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2021
Contents“Seeing Your Sin” by Peter Andrew Smith
Understanding Jesus -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2021
Contents “Understanding Jesus” by David O. Bales
Too Deep For Words -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Romans 8:26-39 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2020
Contents “Too Deep For Words” by David O. Bales

StoryShare

Mumbling Hope -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2020
Contents "Mumbling Hope" by David O. Bales
Called and Freed To Serve -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23), Romans 5:1-8 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2020
Contents “Called and Freed To Serve” by David O. Bales
Howling Good News For Some -- Genesis 45:1-15, Psalm 133 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2020
Contents “Howling Good News For Some” by David O. Bales
Before You Judge -- Matthew 18:15-20, Romans 13:8-14 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2020
Contents "Before You Judge" by David O. Bales
If It's Worth Telling … -- Psalm 25:1-9, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2020
Contents “If It’s Worth Telling …” by David O. Bales
Danger From Both Sides In Jerusalem -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2020
Contents “Danger From Both Sides In Jerusalem” by David O. Bales
Gloriously Stormy Worship -- Matthew 3:13-17, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29 -- David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2020
Contents “Gloriously Stormy Worship” by David O. Bales
Freshman Introduction To The Book Of Revelation -- Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 34:1-10, 22 -- David O. Bales -- All Saints Day - A -- 2020
Contents
Pup -- Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- David O. Bales -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2020
Contents “Pup” by David O. Bales
The Other Wise Man -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- David O. Bales -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2020
Contents “The Other Wise Man” by David O. Bales
Control -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8 -- David O. Bales -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2020
‘Wally’ K. Freirer To My Descendants by David O. Bales
Responding To Signs Of The End -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “Responding To Signs Of The End” by David O. Bales
Thorough Temptation Of The Thoroughly Human -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19 -- David O. Bales -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Contents"Thorough Temptation Of The Thoroughly Human" by David O. Bales
Everything is Possible with God -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46b-55 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “Everything is Possible with God” by Peter Andrew Smith
Valley Variation -- Psalm 23, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Contents “Valley Variation” by David O. Bales
A Waste of Time -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2020
Contents “A Waste of Time” by Keith Hewitt
A Way To Meet Jesus -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, Psalm 16 -- David O. Bales -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Contents “A Way To Meet Jesus” by David O. Bales
Excavating To The Center -- 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- David O. Bales -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Contents"Excavating To The Center" by David O. Bales
The Times or Periods -- Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- David O. Bales -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Contents “The Times or Periods” by David O. Bales
Too Deep For Words -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Romans 8:26-39 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2020
Contents “Too Deep For Words” by David O. Bales
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Lent 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A rock about the size of a tennis ball, baseball, or even a softball.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
For March 30, 2025:

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Paul reread the parable again and sighed. Why had he agreed to lead the Bible study this week? When Pastor Luke asked him, he had been all excited and enthusiastic. He knew the parable of the prodigal son inside and out having read commentaries and stories about it before. He had actually preached a sermon on the passage when Pastor Luke was away and received great feedback from the congregation.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Joshua 5:9-12
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Joshua 9:5-12

SermonStudio

Bonnie Bates
It is a well-known cliché that “God never gives us more than we can handle”, but I have sometimes found that not to be so. When my youngest brother died of brain cancer at age five, it was more than I could handle. When my first husband was emotionally and physically abusive, it was more than I could handle. When my second husband and I lost our twin sons at birth, it was more than I could handle. The COVID pandemic was more than we could handle. Wars and violence are often more than we can handle. Homelessness, poverty, grief, and loss are often more than we can handle.
John N. Brittain
I suppose we are all a little bit nervous about the prospect of a sermon on a Bible story as familiar and sometimes as overworked as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. "What can I possibly say that hasn't been said before?" And I know what's going through your minds: "Are we going to be subjected to the same old sermon yet another time?" Confronting a familiar Bible passage like this mid-Lent really serves to address the discipline of reading Scripture as part of our devotional life, particularly passages that are very familiar.
Charles D. Reeb
A. A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh, wrote a simple, yet telling poem in his work, Now We Are Six:

When I was One, I had just begun.
When I was Two, I was nearly new.
When I was Three, I was hardly Me.
When I was Four, I was not much more.
When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as ever.
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.1

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to worship:

 While the Prodigal Son was still far off, his father saw him, ran to him, put his arms around him and kissed him. In our worship today, let us turn to God so that he may run to us, put his arms around and kiss us.

Invitation to confession:

 Jesus, for the times when we run away from you,

Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, for the times when we have wasted our inheritance on dissolute living,

Christ, have mercy.

 Jesus, when we return to you,

Lord, have mercy.

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