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Mark Ellingsen

Mark Ellingsen, a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), has been a professor of Church History at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1993. He graduated magna cum laude from Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania) and Yale University, from which he received three master's degrees in divinity, arts, and philosophy, as well as his Ph.D. He has authored 26 books including his latest, Dialoguing With Critical Race Theory: Constitutional and Christian Links (Vernon Press). He and his wife have three grown children. When he is not writing or teaching, Ellingsen enjoys discussing politics, sports, and playing guitar.
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Commentary

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2015) -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2015
2 Samuel 1:1, 16-27
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 4 (2015) -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Numbers 21:4-9
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2015) -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2015
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 5 (2015) -- John 12:20-33, Hebrews 5:5-10, Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2015) -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2015
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 13 | OT 18 (2015) -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2015
Illustrations2 Samuel 11:26--12:13
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 2 (2015) -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | OT 20 (2015) -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2015
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
Sermon Illustrations for Passion/Palm Sunday (2015) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2015
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2015) -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2015
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2015) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Frank Ramirez, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2015
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | OT 12, Cycle B (2015) -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2015
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2015) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 14 | OT 19 (2015) -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:34, 41-51 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bob Ove -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2015
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2015) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove -- Easter Day - B -- 2015
Acts 10:34-43
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2015) -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2015
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Sermon Illustrations for Second Sunday of Easter (2015) -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 4:32-35
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2015) -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2015
1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43
Sermon Illustrations for the Third Sunday of Easter (2015) -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 3:12-19
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | OT 23 (2015) -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2015
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Sermon Illustrations for the Fourth Sunday after Easter (2015) -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 4:5-12
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2015) -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2015
Proverbs 1:20-33
Sermon Illustrations for the Fifth Sunday after Easter (2015) -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 8:26-40
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2015) -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2015
Proverbs 31:10-31
Sermon Illustrations for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (2015) -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Acts 10:44-48

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Lent 5
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Passion/Palm Sunday
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Maundy Thursday
15 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
11 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Good Friday
20 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For April 6, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A small pillow or cushion, a bowl, and a jar.

NOTE: This is a simple role-play story. You will need one boy to play the role of Jesus, and one girl to play the role of Mary. Since these are not speaking roles, this may be an opportunity to have a child help who might be hesitant to do a more involved role.

* * *

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

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
This is not the same old thing. This is something new. Isaiah tells us to forget the old standards of life and truth. Our God conquers, so no longer judge the old way. Paul in prison says pretty much the same thing. And in the first supper, which takes place in the home of Martha, with Mary, Jesus, and the newly resurrected Lazarus in attendance, we see the world turned upside down as well. Something new. Something new.

Isaiah 43:16-21
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 43:16-21

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” (vv. 7-8)

The first time I saw one of the “He Gets Us” Jesus ads during the Super Bowl two years ago, I sat up and said to my wife, Jo, “This is great! I wonder who is sponsoring this.” When I found out who, and what their motives were, I was deeply disappointed.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to worship:

 When Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus' feet with oil, the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. As we worship God today, may this whole church be filled with the fragrance of our prayers.

Invitation to confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we fail to notice or appreciate beauty.

Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we resent the actions of others and are spiteful towards them.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Gregory L. Tolle
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own. (vv. 8b--12)
Schuyler Rhodes
There's nothing quite as wonderful as looking at an old car that's been restored to its former luster. A 1932 Ford Victoria Coupe, rumbling down the road brings a thrill. The rust has been cleaned off, the torn upholstery replaced, and missing windows have been installed. It is a work of art. It is also a work of love. Such restoration projects, as anyone involved in them can attest, are not for the weak of heart. Restoring a classic automobile requires painstaking attention to detail and the patience of Job.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Worship is a blessed waste of time.

Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 43:16-21
A New Thing
Donald Charles Lacy
In our spiritual voyages, surprises -- sometimes outlandishly -- come to us. We scratch our heads and wonder if what we are experiencing is fact or fiction. It may or may not be a time of inspiration. However, it may be one of instruction, as we view it in retrospect. You and I are to remember that every occurrence may very well be a teaching event.

David Kalas
In December of every year, the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City awards the coveted Heisman Trophy. Voted on by over 800 media members, the Heisman is awarded to the most outstanding college football player during that season. Past recipients have included such notables as Roger Staubach, Marcus Allen, and Barry Sanders. It is a great honor, and it represents the broad and non-partisan recognition of a player's outstanding season.
Julia Ross Strope
You shall pass judgment on yourself. That is the hardest thing of all ...
If you succeed in judging yourself, it is because you are truly wise.
(The king on a planet to the prince)
-- Saint Exupery, The Little Prince

Call To Worship
Leader: You're here! Winter seems displaced by the new growth of spring. This is the fifth Sunday in Lent -- with one more to come: Palm Sunday.

(Candles counting the Sundays in Lent can be lighted.)

Special Occasion

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