Emphasis Contributors
Day of Pentecost - B
David Coffin
Pentecost accents the belief that the Christian church is a Spirit movement, not another world institution. Imagine a pastor who is on the denomination committee for examining pastoral candidates that are on various points along their journey toward ordination either before, during or just after completion of seminary/Bible college training. All the pastoral candidates are excited about their future of making a positive change and impression on the churches they serve. These candidates have all had empowering, insightful experiences in their denomination, which inspired them to consider the calling into pastoral ministry. Some have had memorable church camp experiences both as campers and camp staff. Others have experienced the church through retreat centers where they got in touch in...
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Acts 2:1-21
Martin Luther viewed Pentecost as a day of celebration, as on a sermon in the topic he noted “it was on this present Pentecost Day that the joyful blessed and lovely kingdom of Christ was established, a kingdom filled with joy, courage, and certainty.” Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.152) Awareness of the Holy Spirit is a big part of the joy and certainty Pentecost brings. John Wesley, then, offers a timely warning about how not to lose a sense of the Spirit and the joy and confidence this insight offers. He wrote:
Thus natural men are prone to ascribe supernatural things to mere natural causes; and many times as impudently and unskillfully as in the present case [the thinking of the critics of Pentecost whom Peter...
Martin Luther viewed Pentecost as a day of celebration, as on a sermon in the topic he noted “it was on this present Pentecost Day that the joyful blessed and lovely kingdom of Christ was established, a kingdom filled with joy, courage, and certainty.” Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.152) Awareness of the Holy Spirit is a big part of the joy and certainty Pentecost brings. John Wesley, then, offers a timely warning about how not to lose a sense of the Spirit and the joy and confidence this insight offers. He wrote:
Thus natural men are prone to ascribe supernatural things to mere natural causes; and many times as impudently and unskillfully as in the present case [the thinking of the critics of Pentecost whom Peter...
Lectionary Commentary and Sermon Illustrations
Emphasis Preaching Journal provides in-depth lectionary-based commentary on lectionary texts, plus thousands of sermon illustrations to help you create riveting sermons.For over 45 years, Emphasis has provided subscribers with scripturally sound, lectionary-based commentaries and sermon illustrations that connect with the people in the pews.
For each week, Emphasis writers delve into the heart of the lectionary readings, providing you with several fresh, solid ideas -- based squarely on the lectionary texts -- for creating sermons that speak powerfully to your audience. They look for overall themes that hold the readings together. Then, they zero in on the themes and the specific scripture links, suggesting directions for the sermon and worship service. Since a single idea each week may not provide what you are looking for at that particular time, writers suggest several, giving you the opportunity to select the one that matches your specific needs.