Emphasis Contributors
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
David Coffin
Another natural disaster has flattened a number of coastal communities. Despite the weather and major television station warnings, and government disaster preparations, the dystopian destruction nightmare of Luke 21 has decimated another community. Also, it is reasonable to believe that this is not the last year for hurricanes, Tsunami’s, wildfires, mudslides and tornados. They will occur again. However, as weary citizens are interviewed in one group of people with the background of homes in rubble and streets still draining flood waters, they will not leave. This is their home. They have community people all around them who are caring and supportive. They speak highly of their local government officials regardless of political party. If one did not know any better, you would think they...
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12
Isaiah’s apocalyptic passage has more of an “At Last!” feel to it. Isaiah looks to a time when people are finally living according to God’s will, treating each other as they were almost meant to. There’s a millennium feel to the passage. People will still live and die, but they’ll hit the century mark pretty regularly. Instead of nations warring against nations, stealing hard won produce for their own, living in homes they did not build, people will enjoy the fruit of their precious labor. If they build a house, they’ll live in the house! Creation will be at peace, and therefore the animals will be at peace with each other as well. The snake eating dust hearkens back to when the serpent helped upset the order of creation by...
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.
