Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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

Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

For centuries, people have looked... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
For centuries, people have looked to the stars for wisdom: much like the child, who sings,
If you've never been there... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
If you've never been there before, a day in small claims court will convince you of the
Actress Maria Bello has been... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
Actress Maria Bello has been a longtime supporter of "Save the Children." Last year, she
A brief synopsis of one... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
A brief synopsis of one portion of Greek mythology: When the god Zeus was born, his
Karen led her fifth-grade... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
Karen led her fifth-grade Sunday school class into the empty sanctuary and read Matthew
The gospels give us intriguing... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
The gospels give us intriguing insights into the apostles' lives and character. Imagine
The earliest Christian art is... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
The earliest Christian art is found in the Catacombs. Reaching across cultural lines in
It is said that there... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
It is said that there was once a wise, old rabbi, who carried in his pocket two stones. One
John Wesley once said, It... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
John Wesley once said, "It was not merely by light of reason ... that the people of God
In small towns across the... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
In small towns across the country, the safety of the people depends on volunteer
According to Dr. Scott Turansky... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
According to Dr.
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
"The Rubaiyat" of Omar Khayyam states,
I paid my college tuition... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
I paid my college tuition and supported my family by pumping gasoline for a major oil
An experience with our organ... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20--6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
An experience with our organ at the Hampton, Iowa, church brought home to me in a
There's a Jewish story about... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
There's a Jewish story about a young man who once came to a famous rabbi, asking how
Do not store up for... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
"Do not store up for yourselves...."
Del was in Washington DC... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
Del was in Washington DC to attend a peace conference. Christians from across the
Jesus instructs his disciples (and... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
Jesus instructs his disciples (and us) not to be showy people. Rather, we are to live our
Among the Romans' pithy sayings... -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Among the Romans' pithy sayings was, "Work conquers all." Many Americans hold that
Some question the historical authenticity... -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Some question the historical authenticity of the "garden" story, but many things
The man gave names ... to... -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
"The man gave names ... to every animal of the field." Now it is quiz time. What names
There is an old story... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
There is an old story about a young boy who consistently disobeyed his parents, coming
Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping Point, gives a number of examples
Greg tells of his summer... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Greg tells of his summer experience with "Open Air Containers." Open Air Containers is
It is estimated that over... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
It is estimated that over 25 million people died in Europe between 1347 and 1352. The

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 21
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 22
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 23
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

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”.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
For October 20, 2024:

StoryShare

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

Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Frank Ramirez
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
Most people assume God’s answer to Job, showing him the depth and breadth of the universe is meant to cow Job’s resistance, leading him, now broken, to repent, abjectly saying “...therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes (42:6).”
Mark Ellingsen
All the lessons testify to the theme that it’s not at all about you and me; it’s all about God!

Job 38:1-7 (34-41)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, "What is it you want me to do for you?" In our worship, let us explore what we want Jesus to do for us today.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we are sometimes selfish in our requests to you.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, we are sometimes unreasonable in our requests to you.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, help us to make you the centre of our world.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

David E. Leininger
The story of Job is familiar to all of us -- a man whose world was spinning merrily along with everything falling into place is suddenly confronted with one misery after another ... disaster, death, disease, and despair. In some of the most moving poetry ever written, chapter after chapter attempts to deal with the age-old question of why, so often, life is unfair.

Schuyler Rhodes
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.
Steven Molin
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!"

Harold C. Warlick, Jr.
An elementary principle in the business world is the law of supply and demand. When supplies outrace the demand for a product, prices are low. We call that a "buyer's market." On the other hand, when there are more buyers demanding a product than there are supplies of the product, prices are high. We call that situation a "seller's market."

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL