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SermonStudio

Proper 4, Pentecost 2, Ordinary Time 9 -- Genesis 6:11-22; 7:24; 8:14-9, Matthew 7:21-29 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Jesus Searches For Us -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2000
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.
Christ The King -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 23:1-6 (C, E)
Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Rightful Stewardship Of God's Gifts -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2000
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and the charges were brou
Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Complacency Leads To Death -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2000
Theme
Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 55:10-13, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Luke 6:39-49 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 55:10-13 (C)
Trinity Sunday -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Service Is Our Reward -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2000
The apostles said to Jesus, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Corpus Christi -- Genesis 14:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 9:11-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 14:18-20
Perseverance In Prayer -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2000
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart.
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 4 -- 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
God Justifies The Humble -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded
First Sunday In Lent -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 5 -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Responding To God's Love -- Luke 7:36-50 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2000
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's home and took his
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 6 -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
New Life For A Dead Friend -- Isaiah 25:6-9, John 11:32-44 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2000
The stench of death surrounded Christ's sorrow, crying
Third Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-9 (C)

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Witness Of Being -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2004
Things are. The world is. The universe, whatever that is, is. I am. You are.
The Seeing Eye -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Bill Mosley -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
An airplane flying from San Francisco to Los Angeles had a 45-minute delay and everybody on board wa
The Hallelujah Chorus -- Revelation 19:1-8 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
In 1741, a 56-year-old German living in England was at the lowest point in his career.
How Does It Work? -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2004
There is a very nice book for children that is titled, The Way Things Work.
A Severe Mercy! -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2004
French author Victor Hugo has a short story titled, "93." In the midst of this tale a ship at sea is
Is Work A Four Letter Word? -- Psalm 104 -- 2004
He was the owner and manager of a downtown store in Utica, New York. I'll call him Fred.
Go To Heaven? -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2004
Judgment day was the preacher's theme, and he thundered about God's wrath, sin and the day of judgme
A Worldly Salvation -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- John T. Ball -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
In the early 1960s, John A. T.
Oskar's Cruelty -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Bill Mosley -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Schindler's List is a true story of World War II.
Vision From Patmos -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
A cowboy was crossing the desert when his horse bit the dust.
Still Under Construction -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2004
People print all sorts of things on T-shirts, from advertisements to obscenities to affirmations of
As Long As It Is Day! -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2004
The greatest sorrow is to have no cause, no work, no sacrifice for which to live.
Memorial Daze -- Ecclesiasticus 44:1-15 -- 2004
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,
Jesus Transforms The Darkness Into Light -- John 20:1-18 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Easter Day - A -- 2004
Pastor David Johnson was all ready, he thought, for his Easter sermon.
I'll Be Home For Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- John T. Ball -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2004
In 1943, during World War II, a new song appeared, "I'll Be Home For Christmas." The lyrics and the
Dark Ugly Clouds -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Bill Mosley -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2004
Things are hardly ever the way they appear and certainly not on Calvary's hill.
Living Creatures -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
Dakota tribal wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is t
The Reward -- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2004
The Rock opera, Jesus Christ, Superstar, pictures Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking G
A Guide To Christmas -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2004
If you talk about the blind and guides you are talking about seeing--eye dogs.
Called, Commissioned, And Comforted: A Tribute To Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Isaiah 49:1-9 -- 2004
Recently, Rosa Parks was again in the news.
Enduring The Trials Of Faith -- John 20:19-3 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
"In the seventh year of his reign, two days before his sixty--fifth birthday, in the presence of a f
The Truth Of Christmas -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- John T. Ball -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2004
The early Christians were good at using the Hebrew Scriptures when confessing the meaning of Jesus a
Experiencing The Reality Of God -- Acts 2:1-21 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2004
The story of the Day of Pentecost tells of a pivotal event in the history of God's work in the world
Paradise Restored -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
In the last book of the Bible, John the elder has a great vision of the earth ending in subjection t
Dealing With Criticism -- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2004
No one likes criticism. We all like to be liked.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Death Row -- John 3:1-17 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
"I'm afraid to die," Tony said.
Finders Keepers -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
Neil loved his bicycle. It was a three-speed and quite
The Messenger -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
They were proud of their church. "Proud as punch!" they always
Here Comes The Bride -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
David adjusted his cuff links and straightened his tie. He
Hearing The Promise -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- 1993
Rhea Lawson was 49 when it happened. Her last child would
This Doesn't Make Sense -- Luke 2:1-14 -- Paul Lintern -- 1993
John heard it. Tim did, too. So did Grace and Sarah. But none
The Weight Of The Cross -- John 2:13-22 -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1993
The restoration of First Community Church had been completed.
A Fair Hearing -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
From the look on Delores' face as she strode up our walk, I knew that, once again, my sermon hadn't
The Gifts Are Unrelated -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Paul Lintern -- 1993
Lydia loved to give things away -- crafts, baked goods, items
Into Every Life -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Frank put me in a bind.
The Draw Of The Magnet -- John 12:20-33 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
A young child sat at the wooden picnic table in the back yard
The Organ -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
A church crisis can be precipitated by seemingly innocent events.
Letting Her Alone -- Mark 14:1Ä15:47 -- Betty Lynn Schwab -- 1993
"Well, isn't that something!" the pastor said to his very
Night Trek -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Methodist pastors change pulpits at the will of the bishop, so when the call came from my district s
With Sighs Too Deep -- Romans 8:22-27 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
Over at last. That's the only thought she could think about just now. Over at last.
Endwork -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"Good grief!" Susie said. "It's Alfred Plunket!"
Music Box Dancer -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1993
David stared at the music box nostalgically as his sister held it out to him.
Jesus Loves Problem Kids -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
His name was Freddie and he was as cute as little boys come.
The Wall -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1993
Warren Jones had just retired from a long successful career in
Spring Story -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
She was dying of pancreatic cancer.
Sand -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Peter C. Garrison -- 1993
The smells of the beach reminded Molly of being a kid. When
The Other Roads -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
In the course of my ministry I occasionally came upon people who had gone rather suddenly from being
Commercial Break -- John 6:24-35 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1993
Like the product it advertised, the commercial seemed to keep
Strangers -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
When Betty appeared at my door she looked positively ill.
Before The Sun Sets -- Ephesians 4:25Ä5:2 -- James E. Sargent -- 1993
The supper table hadn't yet been cleared. Coffee cups were

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Left Out? -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent 2 -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: Luke 13:31-35
Wisdom -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: Wisdom calls out to all who yearn to gain understanding.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2000
We come to your house this day, our Father, to open our hearts to you, to thank you for your loving-
By The Other Water Gate -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent 3 -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: Luke 13:1-9
Project Accomplished -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: Finally, finally, all the plans have come together.
With You In Mind -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: From where does our confidence arise?
Lent 4 -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
A Little Robe -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Holy Risking -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent 5 -- John 12:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: John 12:1-8
A Stronger Hand -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lead On -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
LentThe Season Of RenewalLiturgical Color: Purple
Advent 1 -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: Purple/BlueGospel: Luke 21:25-36
Swift to Hear and Slow to Speak -- James 1:19-25, James 3:1-12 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
I Will Be Your God -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Name Change -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Incredible Faith -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Here's Jesus! -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
At The Root -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
You Shall ... -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Ministry of Encouragement -- Acts 4:32-37 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
A Light Shines in the Darkness -- John 1:1-14 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message involves roleplay. You will need a chair for Zach to stand on, unless it is ok for him to stand on a front pew. For the best fun, you will also want to have an adult volunteer play the role of Jesus and walk in when it is time. Whether he is in costume is up to you.

* * *
John Jamison
Object: You will need one or more pictures of people recognized as saints. You may find some pictures by Googling “public domain pictures of saints” and printing images from the results.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144
Walter Elwell in the Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook notes of righteousness that it is, “Right standing, specifically before God. Among the Greeks, righteousness was an ethical virtue. Among the Hebrews it was a legal concept; the righteous man was the one who got the verdict of acceptability when tried at the bar of God’s justice.” God is a righteous God, even when is people are not righteous.
Frank Ramirez
One of the features of Synagogue worship is the Shema. The Hebrew word is “Hear!” and is the opening for Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” God’s people are commanded to “hear” these words. They come from the Lord. And these three scriptures invite us to hear God and each other, something that is lacking in our society today.
Wayne Brouwer
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago that moved him deeply. He and his wife took supper one evening in a place called the Black Bear Inn. One side of the building was all glass, open to a magnificent mountain view. Glad to be alone, the Craddocks were a bit annoyed when an elderly man ambled over and struck up a nosey conversation: “Are you on vacation?” “Where are you from?” “What do you do?”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 and Psalm 149

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight. Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. (vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.
Frank Ramirez
Call them the good old days. Call it the Golden Age. It’s not unusual for people to look back in their youth, or to the youth of their country, as somehow more perfect, honorable, or simpler. C.S. Lewis was always skeptical about claims that chocolate was better in one’s youth. It wasn’t better. Our taste buds were stronger and more receptive.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The Roman Catholic Church's canonisation of Edith Stein some years ago, fuelled considerable controversy. Edith Stein was born and bred into a Jewish family, becoming a Roman Catholic Christian at the age of 31. She was also a leading German intellectual in the early thirties, during the run-up to World War 2, although she gave up that career in order to become a Carmelite nun. But she didn't deny her Jewish roots, for in 1933 she petitioned the Pope, Pious XI to write an encyclical in defence of the Jews.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus didn't reject anyone, even those who were liars and cheats. By a simple act of friendship Jesus turned Zaccheus' life around. In our worship today let us consider friendship and all that it means.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, there are some people I don't like.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I reject.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I keep out of my circle of friends.
Lord, have mercy.


Reading:

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
The world offers many blessings, but none of these things will save us: only the blessing of God in Jesus Christ can do that.

Old Testament Lesson
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Daniel's Apocalyptic Dream
Perry H. Biddle, Jr.
Comments on the Lessons
John W. Clarke
This chapter of Luke brings us ever closer to the end of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus enters Jericho, just fifteen miles or so from the holy city of Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus transforms the life of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. This is one of the few stories that is peculiar to Luke and is a wonderful human-interest story. The fact that Zacchaeus is willing to climb a tree to see Jesus is a clear indication that he really wanted to see and meet the carpenter from Nazareth. His eagerness to see Jesus is rewarded in a very special way.
Scott A. Bryte
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
Mark Ellingson
This is a story written for people who had been or were about to be persecuted, if not enslaved. (The book of Daniel was probably written in the mid-second century B.C. during a period of Seleucid [Syrian] domination in Palestine.) It tells them and us how their ancestors had once faced a similar slavery under the oppression of the Babylonians centuries earlier. The implication was that if these ancestors could endure and overcome such bondage, so could they and so can we.
Gary L. Carver
Ulysses S. Grant fought many significant battles as commander of the Union forces in the War Between the States. He also served as President of the United States where he probably engaged in as many battles as he did while he was a general. Toward the end of his life he fought his toughest battle -- with cancer and death.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
There is an apocryphal story told that after completing his masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, the famous Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci went to a nearby tavern to celebrate the event with his friends. While in conversation and sipping a little of the local wine, Leonardo noticed that many in the tavern were making sport of an ugly fool who made his living going from tavern to tavern, entertaining patrons for a spare coin or a crust of bread. This man truly was an ugly person; he seemed to be more of a troll than a man. His small beady eyes were not centered in his oversized head.

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