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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Things Look Better Up Ahead -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2020
Exodus 3:1-15
Right Turns -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2020
Where you and I live, intersections are clearly marked.
Putting In The Time -- Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20, Exodus 12:1-14 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2020
Exodus 12:1-14
Discipleship after Deliverance -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- David Coffin -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2020
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Waiting for the Light to Shine -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2020
Mark Twain once said that his pious, sainted mother never missed a Sunday’s service her whole life l
Complaint Department -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2020
A woman who works at Weight Watchers said that a new client had begun her diet.
Awareness of Sin and The Urgency of Repentance -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2020
Ash Wednesday is time to stress our sorrow for sin and the way out, a chance to stimulate our awaren
Mirror, Mirror, On The Shelf -- Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Exodus 17:1-7 -- David Kalas -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2020
The mirror on the wall gets a lot of looks.
Calling New Disciples -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19 -- Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
The scriptures for today bind together the beginning of sin in the world, our salvation from sin, an
Not As Entitled As You Think -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2020
“Me and the man upstairs have an understanding.”
Worthwhile Journey -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Matthew 17:1-9 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
It is the second Sunday in Lent!
Give Yourself Away -- John 21:1-19, Revelation 5:11-14, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
After the Resurrection, Jesus met with his disciples in many places and situations.
Lord of New Life -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- David Coffin -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
In this season of new life, we are always reminded that Jesus as Lord found in the Christian scriptu
Discomforting Words -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2019
Note: This installment was originally published in 2013.
Changed by Love -- John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-8, Revelation 21:1-6 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
The bride-to-be was obviously nervous.
What Do You Value? -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- David Coffin -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2019
A pastor has been called to a certain congregation with one major mandate in mind: “Revitalize our y
Coming and Going -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, John 14:23-29 -- David Kalas -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
Perhaps on this holiday weekend, which culturally marks the beginning of summer, it is right for us
Purchasing Wisely -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2019
Remember the story of Robin Hood?
Let The Reign Begin -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2019
The Reign of Christ has begun, even though it may not be immediately apparent to the world at large.
High Calling in an Upside-Down World -- Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Lamentations 1:1-6 -- David Kalas -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2019
A colleague and I were talking some years ago about how we do premarital counseling with the couples
Plans Beyond Our Own Little Boxes -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
The lessons for the last Sunday of Easter witness to how we might live by the awesome vision of God
Like and Yet Unlike -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2019
We are to live among our neighbors, like and unlike.
If We Can Learn To Listen To That Voice -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Sandra Herrmann -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2019
Pentecost is the birthday of the Church.
Changing the Basics of the Covenant -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2019
God’s persistence results in changing the basics of the covenant — sour grapes and written on the he
Trinity in Practice -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5 -- David Coffin -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2019
Who is the God of our congregation? How is this God made known in the community?

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 (2020) -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2020
Exodus 33:12-23
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2020) -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46, Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, Psalm 1 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2020
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18; Psalm 1
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2020) -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2020
Joshua 3:7-17
Illustrations for All Saints Day (2020) -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- All Saints Day - A -- 2020
Revelation 7:9-17
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 (2020) -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2020
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2020) -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2020
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 and Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12
Sermon Illustrations for Christ The King (Proper 29) (2020) -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2020
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Sermon Illustrations for Thanksgiving Day (2020) -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2020
Deuteronomy 8:7-18
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2020) -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Isaiah 64:1-9
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2020) -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Isaiah 40:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Third Sunday of Advent (2020) -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Sermon Illustrations for Fourth Sunday of Advent (2020) -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2020) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2020
Isaiah 9:2-7
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 (2020) -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2020
Isaiah 61:10--62:3
Sermon Illustrations for New Year's Day (2019) -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - C -- 2019
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of the Lord (2019) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2019
Isaiah 60:1-6a
Sermon Illustrations for Baptism of Our Lord (2019) -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2019
Isaiah 43:1-7
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 | OT 2 (2019) -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2019
Isaiah 62:1-5
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (OT 3) Cycle C (2019) -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2019
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 4 (OT 4) Cycle C (2019) -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 5 (OT 5) Cycle C (2019) -- Luke 5:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2019
Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13)
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 6 (OT 6) Cycle C (2019) -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 7 (OT 7) Cycle C (2019) -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2019
Genesis 45: 3-11, 15
Sermon illustrations for Transfiguration Sunday, Cycle C (2019) -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2019
Exodus 34:29-35
Sermon Illustrations for Ash Wednesday (2019) -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, R. Robert Cueni, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2019
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

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CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A football, a hand-held microphone, a camera, a stack of play money bills. These are the objects I used, but you can use any objects that might symbolize “success”.

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

The Immediate Word

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For October 20, 2024:

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John E. Sumwalt
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. (v. 4)

The outhouse on the farm where I grew up was beside the ash pile, at the end of a well-worn path, under a boxelder tree about fifty yards from the back door of the house. It was a two-seater – cold in winter, smelly and hot in summer. There was always a Sears and Roebuck catalogue on the floor in the corner, which served as both reading and wiping material.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
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Job 38:1-7 (34-41)

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The voice of praise rings beautifully through this psalm as each verse gives poetic color to the glories of creation and its maker. It is something to be read and re-read as we contemplate the wonders of God.
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There is a candy shop in the city of Keystone, South Dakota, just a few hundred yards down the mountain from that infamous Mount Rushmore monument. I can't tell you the name of that candy store, but I can certainly recall the sign on the counter that stands at just about eyeball-level for the average seven-year-old. The sign says this: "If Mom says, 'No,' ask Grandma!"

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