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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Getting on the right frequency -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
One of my proofs for the existence of God is that as a child I neither set the neighborhood ablaze n
Trouble -- Genesis 15:1-12 , 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12 , 17-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Overcoming trouble provides the theme this week.
Joy -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
There is these days a proper concern for the restoration of the element of joy to our Christian fait
The Spirit -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Few issues trouble the church more than dealing with matters of the Spirit.
God in the Wings -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Many in Christendom express concern that Christ is crowded out of Christmas by our fascination with
In gratitude -- Micah 1:2; 2:1-10, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
At the heart of most sinning is the spirit of ingratitude.
God is Where We See Him -- 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-6, Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Upside-down kingdom -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
In his classic book, GulliverÕs Travels, Jonathan Swift takes the reader on an adventure thro
When the crows come home to roost -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21, Galatians 6:7-18, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
The Sundays after Pentecost and Trinity traditionally have focused on the growth in the Christian li
Leveraging the family genome -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Roman historian, Herodotus, told of the pride the Egyptians had in being the oldest
Unity -- Psalm 19:7-14, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Surely one of the constant themes of the New Testament is a call to unity.
New Age religion -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
What has been called New Age religion has been with us for a while now.
The deed in the jar -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
If I've read it once, I've read it a dozen times: the religious thriller, where the plot hinges on a
Covenant: the next generation -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- William H. Shepherd -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
One of the central concepts of the Bible is the "covenant." A covenant is a contract-plus.
Christian (Version 7.0) -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8, Psalm 126 -- David Kalas -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Personality tests, such as the Meyers-Briggs, will place two-word sets side by side and ask the part
The full gospel -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-9, Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
There wasn't much sophistication about the preaching of John the Baptist.
For all the saints -- Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21, Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27, Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - C
"For all the saints who from their labors rest...!" Today we sharpen our memories, and focus our att
The cross of repentance -- Psalm 51:1-13, Joel 2:12-19, Matthew 6:1-6 -- Ash Wednesday - A
Mardi Gras! Festivals of light! Great crowds gathering to have fun.
Heaven on their minds -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 12 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
At the opening of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar, Judas laments, "A
God's Intentions -- Ezekiel 2:1-5, Mark 6:7-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Upside-down kingdom -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
In his classic book, Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift takes the reader on an adventure thro
Prophets -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Unfortunately for us the word "prophet" has come to be a kind of category word that embraces a
No Free Ride -- Malachi 4:1-6, Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
In Luke 12 the story is told of a rich man who had more than he knew what to do with.
Opposites -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
The traditional symbol for drama was two masks, one for comedy with the mouth wide and corners turne
Do you see what I see? -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, Psalm 20 -- David Kalas -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Sellers will sometimes advertise with the initials "WYSIWYG" -- What you see is what

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- John 8:31-36 -- Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Hans Rosling, 63, is trained in statistics and medicine.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2012) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Ruth 1:1-18
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Vera was a unique woman. During her marriage she birthed two natural sons.
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
There is a saying: "Mind your thoughts for they become words.
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
When we lived in Nepal there were families being torn apart by intermarriage.
NULL -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) in July 2012 cast her 5,000th consecutive vote in the Senate.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
In her book The Undoing of Death, Fleming Rutledge explores the meaning of the cross by refer
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
A 2008 Pew Forum poll revealed that 65% of the American public believe that many religions (not just
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
I have often had church members ask me, "How can I love God with my heart, soul, strength, and mind
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Wherever Anne went, she ran each morning.
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Donald Sadoway, 62, is an MIT engineer. His specialty is liquid-metal batteries.
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Consider the shape of the cross; it visually summarizes for us the two great commandments.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2012) -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
NULL -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Ted Geisel of Springfield, Massachusetts, wanted to be a writer.
NULL -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
The whole story of Ruth is full of surprises. The surprising loyalty to a mother-in-law.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Al-jen Poo, 38, is the daughter of pro-democracy immigrants from Chiang Kai-shek's Taiwan.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
The church I attend in retirement meets in a storefront sanctuary.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (part of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Mrs. Edwards had a passion for teaching.
NULL -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Our lesson is all about giving, not about how much to give, but the spirit of giving.
NULL -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Billy Sunday was a major league baseball player turned evangelist.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2012) -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 1:4-20
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Does prayer work? Hannah prayed and trusted God; she received a son.
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
"God's not answering my prayer. Why don't my children call me or visit?
NULL -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
Juan Manuel Santos is Colombia's turnaround man.

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The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
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For July 21, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Frank Ramirez
In each of these scriptures it is up to recognize who is the star of the show. We might be surprised. David thinks he is honoring God by building a temple, but isn’t he really honoring himself as the typical conqueror who builds temples to the gods as a testimony to his accomplishments as a ruler?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord... So I will attend to you for your evil doings... Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands... I will raise up shepherds over them... and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. (vv. 1-5)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Let us join together to use this time for rest and relaxation within the preence of our Lord.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are lazy and don't do what you want us to do.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we are too busy and wilfully refuse to take time off.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, help us to manage our time and our own physical and emotional needs.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Julia E. Bland
It is through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, that we become part of his flock.

Scripture: John 10:9

Background Devotions: Psalm 23

Visual Aids: Medicine, a large cup, perhaps a cane. If a cane is used, you will need to explain that the staff was shaped something like a cane but it was much longer and the rounded part was bigger.

Handouts: Activity sheets; star stickers for the color page of the activity sheet, if desired
John E. Sumwalt
Patricia M. Thaker
In February of 2000, my grandfather, Lloyd Dings, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed away just twelve days later. My grandparents were married 56 years. The legacy he leaves behind is a wonderful wife and a beautiful family
Kristin Borsgard Wee
Four years ago this week, I was walking through an African village in Namibia with my friend, Solveig Kjeseth. We stopped to look at a strange tower formed out of earth. It was about five feet high, crooked in shape, wide at the bottom and coming to a point at the top. I thought it looked like the top of a giant, rumpled witch's hat, only it was gray instead of black. Solveig informed me, much to my surprise, that it was an anthill. I was even more surprised when we came across many more, some of which towered over my head. They were huge!
William J. Carl, III
Have you ever noticed how some families move a lot? Some are corporate moves, some are military, and some are United Methodist pastors. Whatever the case, every time they move they have to find new lodging. In the military, quarters are often provided. The same may be true for clergy if churches own a manse or a parsonage. But, sometimes you have to look for a new home, which means spending some time with real estate agents traveling here and there to find the perfect house. Of course, no house is ever perfect. When you own a home, no matter where you sit you see something that needs fixing.
Mark Ellingson
On this last Sunday of the Church Year (we call it Christ the King Sunday) our attention is directed to the reign of Christ -- to his glorious reign which has already begun with the resurrection on Easter. It is a Sunday to think about salvation, because where Christ reigns salvation is effected. These themes are especially evident in our First Lesson.
Mark Ellingson
On this last Sunday of the Church Year (we call it Christ the King Sunday) our attention is directed to the reign of Christ -- to his glorious reign which has already begun with the resurrection on Easter. It is a Sunday to think about salvation, because where Christ reigns salvation is effected. These themes are especially evident in our First Lesson.
Through Christ, God has solved the problem of conflict between races.

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