Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Bob Ove -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2012
When we think of Jesus as having no sin and yet being tempted in every way that we are, I think of P
NULL -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ron Love -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2012
Jesus never spoke of equality with God.
NULL -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2012
Jesus is right. Our piety is full of hypocrisy.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 2 (2013) -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2012
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
NULL -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2012
Jeremiah Denton, a Navy pilot who was held captive in the Hanoi Hilton during the Vietnam War, under
NULL -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2012
The American Dream seems to be in shambles today.
NULL -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2012
It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
NULL -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2012
Where is your citizenship? Day to day we think only of what we are going to do this day.
NULL -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2012
John Calvin calls attention to the implication that Jesus' reference to being like a hen who gathers
NULL -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2012
July 18, 1965.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 5 (2012) -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2012
Isaiah 40:21-31
100 billion stars... -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2012
It's estimated that there are over 100 billion stars in our galaxy.
On February 24, 1742, Peter Bohler gathered a group of Moravians... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2012
On February 24, 1742, Peter Bohler gathered a group of Moravians who would sail to the American colo
What is the first thing we do in the morning?... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2012
What is the first thing we do in the morning? Turn on the coffee maker? Read the paper?
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 6 (2012) -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2012
2 Kings 5:1-14
Lynn Caines and lifelines -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2012
Lynn Caines, in her autobiographical Lifelines, tells how in the midst of her struggle to ove
During the NFL lockout... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2012
This past summer during the NFL lockout, coaches and staff were prohibited from working with the pla
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2012) -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Note: Because of a scheduling error, we are highlighting these illustrations from 2012.
Multiple Illustrations for Christmas Eve/Day -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
Isaiah 9:2-7
It may be hard to believe but the longest reigning... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Craig Kelly -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
It may be hard to believe but the longest reigning monarchy on earth is in Japan, where its emperors
In the classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
In the classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street, which usually appears on television th
In the opening decades of Methodism, it was not... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
In the opening decades of Methodism, it was not a church but a religious society focused on spiritua
Children, as all parents know, do not have an... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
Children, as all parents know, do not have an innate sense of right and wrong and of proper behavior
In The House of the Dead, Dostoevsky, the great... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
In The House of the Dead, Dostoevsky, the great Russian writer describes a Christmas day in a
This account of the birth of Christ is so commonplace... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Craig Kelly -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
This account of the birth of Christ is so commonplace this time of year that it can tend to be gloss

Pages

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Victory -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Luke 19:28-40, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - C
Once a woman came to Abraham Lincoln, after he had made a speech during the Civil War, and said, "Mr
Who God Loves -- Hosea 4:1-3, 5:15-6:6, Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Once in a while I hear someone talking about God's love, who he loves and the kind of people he love
Fashionable Faith -- Psalm 98, Zechariah 7:1-10, Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Once when I was pastor of a small church, a new couple began to attend and became quite faithful.
The End of Things -- Isaiah 52:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Luke 19:11-27 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
One cannot read the New Testament with understanding unless one hears the continual expectation of t
The crops of Canaan -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, Psalm 32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
One night, prowling the corners of a Christian bookstore, I stumbled past the Max Lucado, Dan Jenkin
All Saints -- Psalm 65:1-8, Psalm 65:1-8 -- All Saints Day - A
One of the worrisome things that is a part of our heritage is the matter of saints.
Defining your destiny -- Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31), Matthew 7:21-29, Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A
One of Harry Emerson Fosdick's great sermons has the title "On Catching the Wrong Bus." He tells of
Moving on -- Acts 14:8-18, John 13:31-35, Revelation 21:1-6 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
One of John's contributions is his writing from the viewpoint of a later early Christian.
Getting on the right frequency -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
One of my proofs for the existence of God is that as a child I neither set the neighborhood ablaze n
Covenant: the next generation -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
One of the central concepts of the Bible is the "covenant." A covenant is a contract-plus.
Costly Discipleship -- Isaiah 50:4-10, James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18, Mark 8:27-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
One of the great tragedies that has befallen the modern Christian church is the current-day movement
The Blood -- Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
One of the interesting things about blood, as it is presented in the New Testament, is the fact that
Invitations -- Acts 4:32-35; 3:13-15, 17-26, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35; 3:13-15, 17-26 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
One of the interesting things about the Old and New Testaments is their use of the word "therefore."
Ultimately! -- Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
One of the little books that ought to be required reading for every Christian is The Will of God
Self--Denial -- Genesis 17:1-10, 15-19; 28:10-17 (18-22);, Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
One of the most easily recognizable activities most associated with Lent is the practice of self--de
Either/Or -- 1 Kings 19:14-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
One of the most overwhelming things about the faith we share is its uncompromising demand.
It may be now or never -- Amos 6:1a, 4-7, Luke 16:19-31 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
One of the most remarkable and thrilling insights into reality which the Bible provides is the up-fr
Love -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
One of the preacher's greatest difficulties is to deal with the word love.
The Partial Gospel -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23 -- All Saints Day - A
One of the problems faced by every preacher is the fact that one cannot say everything about everyth
Easter! -- Acts 10:31-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
One of the problems the church faces when talking about Easter is to find a way to get around pictur
Shifting the Focus -- Zechariah 7:1-10, Zechariah 7:1-10 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
One of the problems we have as humans is the fact that we are bound by time, live in the finite, are
The Affirmation of Life -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:11b-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
One of the reasons so many are skeptical about Christianity is what they see and hear from people wh
Reward -- Psalm 34, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
One of the vexing problems that most of us never take time to face is the problem of reward.
Something for Everyone -- 2 Kings 5:1-15ab, Luke 11:1-13, Colossians 2:6-15 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
One of the wonderful things about such selections as those chosen for this Sunday is the way in whic
Witnessing -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
One thing is common in all our lessons for this Sunday, witnessing.

Pages

Political Pulpit

Communicating God's Love

The Political Pulpit

Guest column

Sermon

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Lent 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For March 8, 2026:

SermonStudio

Marian R. Plant
David G. Plant
Somewhere in my life I heard someone say something like, “The challenge with John (the gospel writer) is he is better at theatre than at writing.” The implications of this comment were about passages such as this one about Jesus and the woman of Samaria.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Jesus reaches across every racial and cultural barrier, offering salvation to all.

Old Testament Lesson
Exodus 17:1-7
Water From A Rock
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Exodus 17:1--7 (C, E); Exodus 17:3--7 (RC)
Lee Griess
Streams of living water ... That's what the Son of God offered the Samaritan woman at the well, and that's what he offers us as well -- streams of living water -- life-giving, life-renewing, life-refreshing water that can satisfy those who drink so that we will never thirst again. We are offered water that satisfies our longings in life, water that nourishes our innermost selves, and water that comes from an active, living trust in God and a passionate faith in Christ.
Frank Luchsinger
Enter your password -- flashed up on the computer screen. The pastor was trying to show some of his parishioners the church's new web page. With pride he had gathered them into his office after the Christian Education Committee meeting. He paused. "I don't do this very often ... We may have to try this another time," he said disappointed. "Try 'church,' " someone says, looking over his shoulder. The pastor types c - h - u - r - c - h. Amazingly the internet connection pops up on the screen. A password is a secret word given to gain entry. It can mean security.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Knowledge that water is an integral ingredient of life was a concept not lost on the ancients. The great civilizations of the world located themselves near water and used it in most every aspect of their daily lives. The Egyptians built the world's first great empire along the Nile. In the midst of the desert a flourishing community existed and grew in size and strength. The water of the river provided the source of life for the people then as it does today. On both sides of the Nile a rich and fertile area exists for farming and grazing of livestock.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus and his weather-beaten band of wandering disciples were still heading north and had been for some days. To some extent Jesus had decided to get out of Judea, where he had been working, in order to avoid competition with John the Baptist in that region.
Harry N. Huxhold
One of the most colorful, exciting, and stirring scenes in all of the scriptures is the call of the prophet Isaiah. The account is dated in the year that King Uzziah died. That does not necessarily mean Uzziah was already dead. This scene could have taken place in the temple during a religious festival such as New Year's Day. At such a festival, the cultic ceremonies honored the divine king being enthroned as conqueror of all the enemies of the people.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Exodus 17:1-7
Theme: With Us Or Not?

Call To Worship

Two sides comprise every journey: the found side during which we trust in God's care, and the lost side where we fear that alone we will not make it through. At the worst, we scuffle and fuss within the confines of confusion, then shout, "Are you here with us or not, God?" At the best, we quiet down, hear God's voice in the silence, and proceed with hope. Wherever you are on your present journey, know that, here, you are welcome.

Collect
Wayne H. Keller
The Community Gathers

Invitation to the Celebration

Why have you come to worship today? Out of habit? To see your friends? To enjoy the singing? To hear the sermon? To learn something? To get help for the coming week? To restore your sense of values? For 100 other reasons? (Pause.) And, now that we're here, let us worship, in the Name of God the Parent, God the Child, God the Spirit. And all the people said, "Right on!"

Response

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said, "The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him." Let us pray that we may be true worshippers today.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when we try to hide from you, forgive us.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when we fail to worship in spirit and in truth, forgive us.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when we neglect to reveal you to others, forgive us.
Lord, have mercy.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
Sermon Starters: "Crossing Lines" / "Meeting a Prophet"
Shining Moments: "Water Sign" by Anne Sunday
Scrap Pile: "Healing the Soul" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt
Keith Hewitt
Timothy Smith
Contents

What's Up This Week
"Testing One, Two, Three..." by Keith Hewitt
"The Account" by Keith Hewitt
"Set Free" by Timothy Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

After the bombing of a building in Oklahoma City, an earthquake or a department store implosion in Japan, rescuers hurry. They do so to alleviate the pain of the survivors, to certify the hopes and fears of those who are related to victims of the disaster, and ...
Wayne Brouwer
Schuyler Rhodes
Here's a parable by a cartoonist named Saxon. It's about a fellow who has just reached retirement. Now he wonders about his place in society. He begins to spend much of his weekend time walking alone in the woods. One day he finds himself on an unfamiliar path that leads him to a small pond. As he stands beside the pond, the water begins to stir and bubble until there is a lovely little fountain. Astonishingly, a voice calls out to him: "Arnold Flagler! This is the Fountain of Youth!"

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL