Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermons Illustrations for Proper 24 | OT 29 (2013) -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Great introductions are... -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
Great introductions are bound to get one's attention.
God changes his plans... -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
God changes his plans for Israel when they acknowledge their sin.
Helen Hayes, the great actress... -- 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Ron Love -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
Helen Hayes, the great actress, was addressing a group of elderly individuals when she was asked how
The text's warning... -- 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
The text's warning that the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine seems ful
Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace... -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, writes in her book Mighty Be Our Powers how p
How many times have we... -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
How many times have we prayed and prayed and wondered if there was any one up there to hear our pray
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2013) -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- All Saints Day - C -- 2013
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
It happened... -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- Ron Love -- All Saints Day - C -- 2013
It happened. An atomic bomb fell on America.
Earthly powers enslave us... -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - C -- 2013
Earthly powers enslave us.
An inheritance can be... -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- All Saints Day - C -- 2013
An inheritance can be a wonderful gift that can keep on giving.
Paul starts with himself... -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- Bob Ove -- All Saints Day - C -- 2013
Paul starts with himself and his converts who were the first to hope in Christ.
Saints are people who live... -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - C -- 2013
Saints are people who live by the Golden Rule. Sort of.
Katharine Hepburn, the great... -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Ron Love -- All Saints Day - C -- 2013
Katharine Hepburn, the great screen actress and person of great wealth, dressed very simply in her e
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | OT 31 (2013) -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
An oracle... -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
An oracle (NRSV, NIV) is a pronouncement (tanakh) that the prophet Habakkuk "saw" (NRSV).
That's a hard passage... -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
That's a hard passage to take, though it is a very common one and can make some realize that they ar
In Iran today... -- 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
In Iran today, which is returning to a theocratic nation, strict Islamic law is being imposed.
Americans like to think... -- 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
Americans like to think of themselves as self-made men and women.
How determined are we... -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
How determined are we to see our Lord? Is it worth the pain of being faithful to our church?
Zacchaeus is a common... -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
Zacchaeus is a common Jewish name. It means innocent, clean.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2013) -- Haggai 1:5b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
Haggai 1:5b--2:9
"Shake it up, baby... -- Haggai 1:5b--2:9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
Haggai 1:5b--2:9
The great composer... -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
The great composer George Frideric Handel sent word to the local tavern owner to prepare a dinner fo
How many times... -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2013
How many times have we read letters by some "enthusiasts" who tell us that the Lord has already come

Pages

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Seeking and being sought -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1997
Some of us have been around long enough to remember a campaign launched by Campus Crusade for Christ
Try the uplook -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1997
Some prophets are preoccupied with the work of God in nature.
Our God reigns -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1997
The Babylonian captivity provided the original context for this oracle.
Godly women -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1997
The Bible, we know, is mostly about men.
How to muzzle life's storms -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1997
The books of Samuel may well be made up of several accounts that are woven together, sometimes witho
The best is yet to come -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
The concept of pregnancy lends itself rather naturally to metaphorical usage.
Values assessment -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1997
The January/February 1995 issue of Men's Health magazine offered a feature titled "What do me
He touched me and we talked -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1997
"The prophet of holiness" is the title often given to Isaiah.
Preparing the way -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
The theme of this day is obvious: Preparation!
Rejoicing Sunday -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
The third Sunday in Advent is officially called "Gaudete Sunday," which means "Rejoicing Sunday." Jo
The subtleties of power and temptation -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1997
There are few texts in the Bible or illustrations from the lives of public figures that more aptly d
The power of the Gospel -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1997
This is one of those texts that we might wish were not in the Bible, or, at the very least, one that
To die is the only way to live -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1997
This passage from Jeremiah has been called the most important single teaching of his prophecy, and i
Free to be, to do, and not to do -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1997
This remarkable passage is nestled in the midst of a long litany of detailed legislative instruction
No matter what, God will rule -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1997
This section marks the beginning of the "in-between" period in David's life.
Just us ordinary folks -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1997
This text is the conclusion of a lengthy narrative which began in 1 Samuel 16.
Blessed to be a blessing -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1997
Those who are preaching a series of sermons on the lessons from 1 and 2 Samuel will need to fill in
Their Sunday in Lent -- Exodus 20:1-17, John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1997
Until I sat at the feet of Dr. Carl A.
Hope fulfilled -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1997
We are two weeks from Advent and the theme for today seems to be "hope." The First Lesson is a poign
No love like this -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1997
We come to the core of the unraveling of David's reign.
What is God's will? -- Job 1:1; 2:10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1997
When I was a student serving an internship in hospital chaplaincy, I was given the job of informing
What kind of leadership do we want? -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
After following Moses for many weeks, we come to the end of the line.
It's time for joy and hope -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
After many weeks of heavy judgment texts we may all be ready to shout, "Give me a break!" This day,
Timing -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1996
After the bombing of a building in Oklahoma City, an earthquake or a department store implosion in J
The outcome is certain -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1996
Although they come at it from very different perspectives, the texts for this Sunday all speak to

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