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

Aldous Huxley, British novelist... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Aldous Huxley, British novelist, essayist, and critic, in a little article titled, "New-Fashio
From the day Tyler... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
From the day Tyler was born, "Pap" has referred to him as "The World's Greatest Grandson." And
I was standing behind... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
"I was standing behind an altar in a small crypt chapel of the Church of the Annunication in N
Late in his career... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Late in his career, the British actor, A. E.
In our health-conscious... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
In our health-conscious society, more and more people are concerned about purity, especially i
Military boot camp is... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Military boot camp is demanding.
Just like today, in... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2003
Just like today, in biblical times, decrees of various types were written down for the record.
Movie makers are growing... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2003
Movie makers are growing in their boldness to depict God in frail human terms, often featuring
When my wife and... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2003
When my wife and I reminisce with our grown children, they often tell us about the things they
There are many reasons... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
There are many reasons why God shouldn't have called you. But don't worry.
The boy Samuel served... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
The boy Samuel served a faithful apprenticeship at the shrine at Shiloh, without seeking perso
Part of the thrill... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Part of the thrill of competing in team sports is the honor of wearing the uniform.
Every mother or grandmother... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Every mother or grandmother who sews probably can tell a story of sewing a garment for a child
The greatest immigration of Irish... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
The greatest immigration of Irish folks to America was due to the death of the potato in Ireland.
The raising of Lazarus is... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
The raising of Lazarus is a text interested in the issue of Jesus' authenticity.
Mary and Martha loved their... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
Mary and Martha loved their brother, Lazarus, and mourned him deeply but some so-called relatives ca
My grandfather was a stoical... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
My grandfather was a stoical man; he showed very little emotion.
On a late summer afternoon... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
On a late summer afternoon, Pastor Rick found himself sitting around the kitchen table with Helen an
Houses vary in size... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Houses vary in size.
There is a carnival... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
There is a carnival atmosphere to the celebration of the new creation.
It was all her... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
It was all her fault.
In his book, I... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
In his book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Robert Fulghum tells
Paul admonishes his readers... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Paul admonishes his readers always to be gentle with others.
In his play I... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
In his play Dancing at Lughnasa, Brian Friel tells the story of five unmarried sisters
Catherine Marshall, in I... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Catherine Marshall, in Stories for the Heart, tells the parable of the king who offered

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