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Derl G. Keefer

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Over the years many people... -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Over the years many people impacted my life for the good.
Decades ago the... -- John 3:1-17 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Decades ago the story was told of a poor widow who contributed to the Dorpatian Branch of the Russia
Saving faith comes through... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
Saving faith comes through our invitation for Christ to forgive us of our sins.
The pastor of the church... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2014
The pastor of the church that I attended as a child told the congregation that he would be holding a
Soren Kierkegaard said... -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Soren Kierkegaard said that mercy has converted more people than zeal, or eloquence, or learning or
Missionary Jerry Porter wrote... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Missionary Jerry Porter wrote in a sermon titled "From Generation to Generation" that Dr. L.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 3 (2014) -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Exodus 17:1-7
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 (2014) -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Derl G. Keefer, Scott A. Bryte, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Genesis 45:1-15
Our sexuality is God-given... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2014
Our sexuality is God-given.
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 7 (2014) -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 1:6-14
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2014) -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
Judges 4:1-7
This scripture deals... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
This scripture deals with expectations of faith, praise, sacrifice, and hope.
Before Joseph was second... -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Before Joseph was second in command under Pharaoh, he was a prisoner in a dark, dirty
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
Isaiah 61:10--62:3
Sir Winston Churchill... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Sir Winston Churchill, the great British politician, is one of the most quoted men in history.
In my last pastoral assignment... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
In my last pastoral assignment I lived in a parsonage, but my congregation gave me the privilege of
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 4 (2014) -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
1 Samuel 16:1-13
William Barclay commented... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
William Barclay commented that the significance of this passage is that it "foreshadows
The Menno-Hof Amish/Mennonite Museum... -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
The Menno-Hof Amish/Mennonite Museum in Shipshewana, Indiana, relates the life of Menno Simmons, a F
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2014) -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2014
Acts 2:1-21
Ezekiel illustrates spiritual... -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Ezekiel illustrates spiritual leaders as shepherds leading sheep.
Often we are... -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Often we are like Samuel, running on fumes of depression and wandering aimlessly not knowing where t
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2014) -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
Exodus 1:8--2:10
As Mary and Joseph enter... -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2014
As Mary and Joseph enter the temple they encounter two people who have been anticipating the coming
There is something... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2014
There is something within people that automatically draws them to a spectacular event.

Preaching

Sermon

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Suffering
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Alcohol
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Following God's Plan
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"The Comforter has come! The Comforter has come!
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Lust
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Cross
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Everything else may pass away, but not a mother's love.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Of all the men I have known, I cannot recall one whose mother did her level best for him when he wa
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Gratitude
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness behavior conforms to the character of Christ.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Assurance
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy." (Spanish proverb)
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly lov
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Sympathy "Sympathy is your pain in my heart." (Anonymous child)
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Revival
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Forgiveness
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness is wholeness -- the wholeness of Christ in the whole of life for the whole of eternity.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Marriage
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Death
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Death
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
There is no heartbeat like the heartbeat of a mother.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The noblest mother is the public good.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Gratitude
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Our assurance, comfort, hope, and joy is in the complete holiness of the Father.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Attitude
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Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 14
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22 – Worship Resources
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Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 16
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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I was a young man and fairly new to the ministry. I was feeling stung by some criticism that I had received, and so I was talking to my parents about it because they knew the person involved. And along the way, my mother said to me, “Well, you’ve got to consider the source.”
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“It’s just wrong,” Martha whispered. “He needs to take off his hat in church.”

John looked up from reading the Sunday bulletin. “Who has to take off his hat?”

“That young man.” She pointed to the other side of the church. “He’s up there near the front.”

“Henry? That’s not a hat, he’s just changed his hair color again.” John shook his head. “I swear that lad changes the color more than I change my socks.”

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The Village Shepherd

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Call to Worship:

In our worship today let us open our hearts to Jesus, asking him to help us to be clean and pure within.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we are not always fully aware of our inner selves.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we appear better on the outside than we are inside.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, help us to become the same inside as outside.
Lord, have mercy.

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"There's Jackson, standing like a stone wall." Those words, spoken at the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), secured the reputation of Confederate officer Thomas Jonathan Jackson. Forever after, he has been known as Stonewall Jackson -- the courageous general who could not be moved, even as the bullets whistled by him.

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Leaders of all stripes have always had sycophants in abundance to sustain their delusion of power. Doting tongues to puff up the king are nothing new. From Elizabethan jesters to plaster-faced, neck-tied staffers in oval offices, it seems a constant theme. But here we find a caveat of sorts. Sure, the king is a "handsome man." Let us be clear, however, about where real power is to be found.
Robert L. Salzgeber
When I was a camp director the rules of long established and understood games were constantly being changed in order to incorporate a larger sphere of players. For the same reason Jesus said, "You have a clever way of rejecting God's law in order to uphold your own teaching." Jesus had a knack for constantly changing the rules of the game of life in order to incorporate a larger sphere of people in his kingdom net.
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The Hebrew word for love, awhab or awrag, means "to pant, to long for, to breathe heavily after." Psalm 41:1 says, "As a deer pants for the waters so my soul longs after you." In John 3:16, the idea is that God so loved the world, so breathed heavily after you and me, that he gave his only Son....

God is passionate for you. His breathing is labored. He loves you.

There is a book in the Old Testament that is full of heavy breathing. It is titled, "Song of Solomon," or "The Song of Songs." And it deals forthrightly with sexual passion, courtship, and matrimony.

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