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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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StoryShare

Beyond Comparison -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16 -- David O. Bales -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2018
Contents “Beyond Comparison” by David O. Bales
Failures For Jesus -- John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Mark 16:1-8 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Easter Day - B -- 2018
Contents “Failures For Jesus” by David O. Bales
Vows -- Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31 -- David O. Bales -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Contents “Vows” by David O. Bales “Helena’s Touch” by David O. Bales
Of Prophets And Heifers -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, Psalm 20, Mark 4:26-34 -- David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2018
Contents “Of Prophets And Heifers” by David O. Bales
Serving Light -- Mark 6:1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Psalm 48 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2018
Contents “Serving Light” by David O. Bales
Prophetic Jitters -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- David O. Bales -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2018
Contents “Prophetic Jitters” by David O. Bales
Buzzkill -- Mark 9:30-37, Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 1 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2018
Contents “Buzzkill” by Keith Hewitt
Peter's Everything -- Mark 10:17-31, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2018
Contents "Peter’s Everything" by David O. Bales
Blessings Of Unconventional Marriage -- Mark 12:38-44, Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Psalm 127 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2018
Contents “Blessings Of Unconventional Marriage” by David O. Bales
Pilate's Point Of View -- John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4b-8 -- David O. Bales -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2018
Contents “Pilate’s Point Of View” by David O. Bales
A Rainy Road To The Jordan -- Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-7 -- David O. Bales -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018
Contents “A Rainy Road To The Jordan” by David O. Bales
Aunt June's Thanksgiving -- Luke 17:11-19, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Psalm 65 -- David O. Bales, Keith Wagner -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2017
Contents "Aunt June’s Thanksgiving" by John Fitzgerald
The Conversation -- John 1:1-14, Psalm 98, Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2017
Contents "The Conversation" by Keith Hewitt
Most Improved -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23), Psalm 100, Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2017
Contents "Most Improved" by David O. Bales
Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Zechariah 9:9-12 -- David O. Bales, Keith Wagner -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2017
Contents "Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls" by David O. Bales
Moses: Prepared -- Romans 12:9-21, Exodus 3:1-15, Jeremiah 15:15-21 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2017
Contents "Moses: Prepared" by David O. Bales "Re-call" by David O. Bales
If You Don't Forgive -- Matthew 18:21-35, Romans 14:1-12, Psalm 114, Psalm 103:1-13 -- David O. Bales, Keith Wagner -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2017
Contents "If You Don’t Forgive" by David O. Bales
Late -- Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Psalm 23 -- David O. Bales, Keith Wagner -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2017
Contents "Late" by David O. Bales
Incident In Jericho -- Matthew 23:1-12, Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2017
Contents "Incident In Jericho" by David O. Bales
Honest, Not Courteous, Prayer -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2015
Contents "Honest, Not Courteous, Prayer" by David O. Bales
From The Redemption Of A King To A King Of Redemption -- John 18:33-37, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez
Render Unto Caesar -- Matthew 6:25-33, Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Psalm 126 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez

Free Access

Further Visions To Follow -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2018
Contents "Further Visions To Follow" by David O. Bales
Buzzkill -- Mark 9:30-37, Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 1 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2018
Contents “Buzzkill” by Keith Hewitt
The Conversation -- John 1:1-14, Psalm 98, Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2017
Contents "The Conversation" by Keith Hewitt
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
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Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:
Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message involves roleplay. You will need a chair for Zach to stand on, unless it is ok for him to stand on a front pew. For the best fun, you will also want to have an adult volunteer play the role of Jesus and walk in when it is time. Whether he is in costume is up to you.

* * *
John Jamison
Object: You will need one or more pictures of people recognized as saints. You may find some pictures by Googling “public domain pictures of saints” and printing images from the results.

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144
Walter Elwell in the Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook notes of righteousness that it is, “Right standing, specifically before God. Among the Greeks, righteousness was an ethical virtue. Among the Hebrews it was a legal concept; the righteous man was the one who got the verdict of acceptability when tried at the bar of God’s justice.” God is a righteous God, even when is people are not righteous.
Frank Ramirez
One of the features of synagogue worship is the Shema. The Hebrew word is “Hear!” and is the opening for Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” God’s people are commanded to “hear” these words. They come from the Lord. And these three scriptures invite us to hear God and each other, something that is lacking in our society today.
Wayne Brouwer
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago that moved him deeply. He and his wife took supper one evening in a place called the Black Bear Inn. One side of the building was all glass, open to a magnificent mountain view. Glad to be alone, the Craddocks were a bit annoyed when an elderly man ambled over and struck up a nosey conversation: “Are you on vacation?” “Where are you from?” “What do you do?”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 and Psalm 149

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight. Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. (vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.
Frank Ramirez
Call them the good old days. Call it the Golden Age. It’s not unusual for people to look back in their youth, or to the youth of their country, as somehow more perfect, honorable, or simpler. C.S. Lewis was always skeptical about claims that chocolate was better in one’s youth. It wasn’t better. Our taste buds were stronger and more receptive.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The Roman Catholic Church's canonisation of Edith Stein some years ago, fuelled considerable controversy. Edith Stein was born and bred into a Jewish family, becoming a Roman Catholic Christian at the age of 31. She was also a leading German intellectual in the early thirties, during the run-up to World War 2, although she gave up that career in order to become a Carmelite nun. But she didn't deny her Jewish roots, for in 1933 she petitioned the Pope, Pious XI to write an encyclical in defence of the Jews.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus didn't reject anyone, even those who were liars and cheats. By a simple act of friendship Jesus turned Zaccheus' life around. In our worship today let us consider friendship and all that it means.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, there are some people I don't like.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I reject.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I keep out of my circle of friends.
Lord, have mercy.


Reading:

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
The world offers many blessings, but none of these things will save us: only the blessing of God in Jesus Christ can do that.

Old Testament Lesson
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Daniel's Apocalyptic Dream
Perry H. Biddle, Jr.
Comments on the Lessons
John W. Clarke
This chapter of Luke brings us ever closer to the end of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus enters Jericho, just fifteen miles or so from the holy city of Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus transforms the life of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. This is one of the few stories that is peculiar to Luke and is a wonderful human-interest story. The fact that Zacchaeus is willing to climb a tree to see Jesus is a clear indication that he really wanted to see and meet the carpenter from Nazareth. His eagerness to see Jesus is rewarded in a very special way.
Scott A. Bryte
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
Mark Ellingson
This is a story written for people who had been or were about to be persecuted, if not enslaved. (The book of Daniel was probably written in the mid-second century B.C. during a period of Seleucid [Syrian] domination in Palestine.) It tells them and us how their ancestors had once faced a similar slavery under the oppression of the Babylonians centuries earlier. The implication was that if these ancestors could endure and overcome such bondage, so could they and so can we.
Gary L. Carver
Ulysses S. Grant fought many significant battles as commander of the Union forces in the War Between the States. He also served as President of the United States where he probably engaged in as many battles as he did while he was a general. Toward the end of his life he fought his toughest battle -- with cancer and death.

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