Emphasis Contributors
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”
In some areas of life, we know without argument that doing and putting things in the proper order is essential. If I put the dry pancake mix on the griddle first, and only after heating that up do I mix in the egg and milk and such, I know that my pancakes won’t turn out so well. In a recipe, you’ve got to do things in a certain order for them to turn out right.
In some areas of life, we know without argument that doing and putting things in the proper order is essential. If I put the dry pancake mix on the griddle first, and only after heating that up do I mix in the egg and milk and such, I know that my pancakes won’t turn out so well. In a recipe, you’ve got to do things in a certain order for them to turn out right.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
Surely there is lament at the beginning of the psalm, much as there will be lament in hearing the words of Amos. Yet, there is also faith in the steadfastness of God and God’s love. How many of us want to blame God for everything that goes wrong, as if we...
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
Surely there is lament at the beginning of the psalm, much as there will be lament in hearing the words of Amos. Yet, there is also faith in the steadfastness of God and God’s love. How many of us want to blame God for everything that goes wrong, as if we...
Lectionary Commentary and Sermon Illustrations
Emphasis Preaching Journal provides in-depth lectionary-based commentary on lectionary texts, plus thousands of sermon illustrations to help you create riveting sermons.For over 45 years, Emphasis has provided subscribers with scripturally sound, lectionary-based commentaries and sermon illustrations that connect with the people in the pews.
For each week, Emphasis writers delve into the heart of the lectionary readings, providing you with several fresh, solid ideas -- based squarely on the lectionary texts -- for creating sermons that speak powerfully to your audience. They look for overall themes that hold the readings together. Then, they zero in on the themes and the specific scripture links, suggesting directions for the sermon and worship service. Since a single idea each week may not provide what you are looking for at that particular time, writers suggest several, giving you the opportunity to select the one that matches your specific needs.
