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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

For there's no other way -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
When I sit down to plan the worship services for this Sunday, I will start by penciling in John H.
School days, school days -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Good old golden rule days.
Dust off the throne -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
When I was a kid, my parents would host several Christmas parties each year -- one for each of the a
We are not the light -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
By now, most congregations are in the home stretch of their pre-Christmas preparations.
By what authority? -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
They rang the church doorbell insistently.
Appearance and/or reality? -- Acts 9:1-20, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
A common phrase rightly reminds us that "appearances can be deceiving." In fact, experience has ofte
Amazing grace how sweet the sound -- Genesis 18:10-33, Colossians 2:6-15, Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
The Bible, Old Testament and New, is filled with words for forgiveness in its original tong
The Jealous God -- Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Most of us are convinced that jealousy is not a Christian or godly virtue so we are a bit put off, e
The Eternal Coming -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Promises are made.Everybody looks for signs. Many set dates and devise calendars.
The peace treaty -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - A
In our nation, we are proud to say that nobody has any right to tell us what to do.
Light in the darkness! -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A
Have you ever noticed how the story of Jesus' birth is set in the midst of a play of darkness and li
Glory -- Exodus 34:29-35, Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
When I was young, I knew an old man, bedfast in his terminal illness, who would say to the pastor, "
Revelation -- Acts 9:1-20, John 21:1-14, Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
By Ross Marrs
The day the Spirit moved in -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- David Kalas -- Day of Pentecost - C
Things change in a house when someone new moves in.
God brought laughter -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Romans 5:1-8, Psalm 100 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
A few years back, the religious media was filled with reports of "holy laughter." Some charismatic c
Breaking boxes -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Easter Day - A
The central message of Christian faith is that Jesus was raised from the dead.
The Danger Of Good Times -- Joel 2:23-30, Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Most of us dream of the day when all our problems will be solved, we will have plenty of money, and
Testimonies -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
In Susan Howatch's novel, Absolute Truths, the main character is a rather perfect man.
Persistence -- Genesis 32:22-30, Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Here and there in the Biblical record, one can find material that seems to issue a call for persiste
The tenth leper -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
When Jerusalem fell to the Chaldeans the significant portion of the population forcibly resettled in
Deliverance -- Exodus 3:1-15, Luke 13:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
By Ross Marrs
For those who have ears to hear -- Ezekiel 33:1-11, Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
This is a day when a lot of ears will burn if the preaching follows the lead of the texts.
The ministry next door -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 82 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
A friend tells that from time to time his wife chides him for what he is able to walk past around th
Pick me! Pick me! -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- David Kalas -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
The children gather on the playground for a game: perhaps kickball, or basketball, or touch football
Great Expectations -- Jeremiah 11:18-20, Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Most of us have been conditioned to expect great things from God.

Communicating God's Love

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Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

One thing that caught me is that we are one bride... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Bob Ove -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
One thing that caught me is that we are one bride!
Jose Guadalupe Posada, renowned Mexican cartoonist and illustrator... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Mark J. Molldrem -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Jose Guadalupe Posada, renowned Mexican cartoonist and illustrator, used calaveras (animated
Ruby looked forward to church potlucks... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
At 103, Ruby looked forward to church potlucks.
There was much lamenting that had Jesus come sooner... -- John 11:32-44 -- Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
There was much lamenting that had Jesus come sooner Lazarus might not have died (v. 32).
Doris Donnelly, challenges the stigma of weeping... -- John 11:32-44 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Doris Donnelly, in her book Spiritual Fitness, challenges the stigma of weeping and shows how
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2012) -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Jeremiah 33:14-16
When you read those words... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
When you read those words that seem to imply that the city Jerusalem will live in safety, do you won
The proof is in the pudding... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
"The proof is in the pudding." This is a shortened version of "the proof of the pudding is in the ea
Their crime was simple enough... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Corrie ten Boom, along with 35 family members and friends, were all marched into the police station'
Paul speaks of a love abounding... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Paul speaks of a love abounding (v.
Those are terrifying words!... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Those are terrifying words! What about the safety we should find in Christ?
The Hollywood movie 2012 is about the end of the world... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
The Hollywood movie 2012 is about the end of the world on December 21, 2012, based on the pre
Sermon Illustratins for Advent 2 (2012) -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Malachi 3:1-4
Advent is a time for looking ahead... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Advent is a time for looking ahead, a time to plan for the future, just like Malachi plans for the c
Though in the pastorate for a number of years... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Though in the pastorate for a number of years, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, still harbored
Advent is a time of waiting, longing, expecting, hoping... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Advent is a time of waiting, longing, expecting, hoping.
I like the way Paul begins all his epistles with a compliment... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
I always like the way Paul begins all his epistles with a compliment.
The ancient theologian Saint Augustine... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
The ancient theologian Saint Augustine helps us see that John is a model for how we might be messeng
When the word of the Lord came to John the Baptist... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
When the word of the Lord came to John the Baptist it brought him a spiritual peace and a desire to
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 3 (2012) -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Zephaniah 3:14-20
What would it sound like to hear God sing? -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
What would it sound like to hear God sing?
Sermon illustrations for New Year's Eve/Day (2012/2013) -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Sermon Illustrations for First Sunday after Christmas Day (2012) -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
Over the holidays Connie lost her watch -- a special gift from her father.
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2012
What time is it? Maybe it is whatever time we make it to be!

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The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For September 14, 2025:

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John Jamison
Object: A sheep stuffy or toy.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started!

Did you know that Jesus traveled around and hunted for people who were doing something illegal and breaking the laws? (Let them respond.) He really did.And when he found someone who was doing something illegal, do you know what he did with them? (Let them respond.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Our text tells us that we are skilled in doing evil (v.22). An anonymous late medieval treatise titled German Theology tells us why:

It is the nature and property of the creature to seek itself and its own things, and this and that, here and there, and in all that it does and leaves undone as desire is to its own advantage and benefit. (Varieties of Mystic Experience, p.162)

Martin Luther King, Jr. offers an alternative to this vision:
David Coffin
All three of today’s texts can be viewed as good news that God never gives up on God’s people. This is despite their resistance to repent or simple straying from the community of faith. We can observe family and loved ones at various points of their faith journey through the lens of each of these texts. Jeremiah 4 informs the people their neglect of honoring their covenant with God is about to result in disastrous consequences. Paul recalls in 1 Timothy 1 how he thought he was falling God’s will until he had his literal come to Jesus moment!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (vv. 6-7)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told stories to illustrate to the people God's gladness whenever anyone turned to him and chose life. There is still rejoicing in heaven whenever any one of us turns to God.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I think I'm too insignificant for you to bother with me.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with other people, but only with myself.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The psalm writer has an interesting perspective on the origin of injustice in our world. He begins this psalm with the assertion that those who do not believe in God are "fools." He goes on to accuse them of corruption and of being incapable of doing good. Later on he writes, "Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?" (v. 4).

Elizabeth Achtemeier
"Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them" (v. 12). Ours is a society that does not accept that as the Word of God. Many people do not believe that God judges anyone. Rather, the Lord is a forgiving God, a kindly deity who overlooks all wrong. As in the Gospel lesson for the morning, the Lord searches for the one lost sheep and returns it gently to the fold, or he hunts for the one lost coin until he finds it. God accepts the lost as they are, we think, overlooking Jesus' teaching about repentance and transformation of life.
Scott Suskovic
We usually don't spend too much time thinking about our own sinfulness. On occasion, of course, our feelings of guilt overwhelm us. We can't stop thinking about our sinfulness. If we are in that situation, we may need to talk that out with someone. Apart from times like that, we don't think much about our own sinfulness. We have ways of getting around that.

R. Robert Cueni
Back before the ways of the Taliban became common knowledge, there was a fascinating little article about how they jailed barbers when they didn't do culturally correct haircuts.1 The newspaper reported that young men in Kabul, Afghanistan, have started wearing their hair the way the actor Leonardo DiCaprio wears his. Long, not only on the sides, but so long in the front that hair can drop over the eyes. They call the style, "the Titanic," named for the blockbuster movie starring DiCaprio about the 1912 sinking of the cruise ship by that name.

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