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Derl G. Keefer

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Paul writes to the Philippian congregation... -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2014
Paul writes to the Philippian congregation that they ought to conduct themselves in a lifestyle wort
It was late fall... -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
It was late fall and the gardening work had to be finished up.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
Genesis 22:1-14
Paul writes to the Corinthians... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Paul writes to the Corinthians to encourage them to discover their God-given potential.
The Israelites were tired, drained... -- Exodus 17:1-17 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2014
The Israelites were tired, drained, and edgy from their traveling.
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Sunday (2014) -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Acts 10:34-43
The story is told... -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
The story is told that at the close of a Sunday morning sermon one of the members felt the Holy Spir
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2014) -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Isaiah 40:1-11
We live in a crazy, out-of-control... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2014
We live in a crazy, out-of-control world.
Two young men were... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Two young men were making fun of the Christian idea of resurrection from the dead, saying that it wa
Chuck Swindoll wrote... -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
Chuck Swindoll wrote about a young couple he counseled many years ago.
His fever rose daily until... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
His fever rose daily until it hit 105 degrees and finally his family took him to the hospital.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2014
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 2 (2014) -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
My exercise advisor... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
My exercise advisor mentioned that I needed to do core exercises...
Teaching concerning baptism... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Teaching concerning baptism differs within the Christian world.
Paul emphasized to his congregation... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2014
Paul emphasized to his congregation in Philippi that his confidence is not in what he does (his fles
Blaise Pascal said... -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Blaise Pascal said that in every human heart there is a God-shaped vacuum that can never be filled b
As the Nicene Creed... -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
As the Nicene Creed declares, there is one living and true God...
Sermon Illustrations for Third Sunday of Advent (2014) -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
In Preaching Daily... -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
In Preaching Daily a story is told about a little two-year-old boy named Blaine Morris who ob
My coworker's fiance's... -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2013
My coworker's fiancée's birthplace outlawed Christianity.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of Our Lord (2014) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2013
Isaiah 60:1-6
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2013) -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 2:1-5

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Sermon Illustrations for Christ The King (Proper 29) (2014) -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Preaching

Sermon

Stories

SermonStudio

Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Men are what their mothers make them." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Becoming
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Morality
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Thoughts
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness is not like the light bulb -- on again -- off again.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Happiness
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The act of evangelism is the overflow of the Spirit in a person's heart.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Friendship
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Simply having children does not make mothers." (A. Shedd in Salt from My Attic)
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"The Holy Spirit is God at work." (Dwight L. Moody)
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Decision
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Salvation
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Moms are like lighthouses -- they always send out light.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
To lead the world to reformation one begins by enlisting the mothers.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Bible
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mother
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Training
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
God hates sin because of His sinlessness.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Happiness
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
When the Holy Spirit comes, a hungering for excellence is the result.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Friendship
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Men make cars, computers, and helicopters. Women make people.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"To be sound in faith and holy in life -- this is the kernel of Christianity." (Augustine)
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Democracy
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Salvation
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

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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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