Common Lectionary

Find resources to teach by the common lectionary calendar with sermon ideas, outlines, and scripture references.

Sermon briefs offer a homiletical ‘jump start’

Transfiguration SundayMarch 5, 2000God Leads in Worship(Mark 9:2-9)Mark 9:2-9 presents a powerful picture of the people of God worshiping God. When followers of Jesus find themselves assembled in His presence, ... Continue Reading...

Sermon briefs offer homiletical starters

Second Sunday after Christmas (B)January 2, 2000The Beginning Song of SalvationJeremiah 31:7-14Reading Jeremiah, one is struck by his urgent warnings, pleas, and dire announcements of coming disaster. Gloom and... Continue Reading...

Sermon briefs offer homiletical ‘jump start’

Proper 27 (A)November 7, 1999Feel-Good ReligionAmos 5:18-24There is a lot of talk today about the value of faith and "spirituality." Curiously, however, many of those who approve of spirituality in general are ... Continue Reading...

Let These Sermon Briefs Stimulate Your Imagination

Proper 18 (A)Sunday, September 5, 1999Some Security SystemEzekiel 33:7-11Recently, I had an offer from a company dealing in home security systems virtually to give me a home security system. Leery of something ... Continue Reading...

Let Sermon Briefs Stimulate Your Homiletical Thinking

Proper 9 (A)Sunday July 4, 1999A Sorrowful RebukeMatthew 11:16-19Today's Scripture contains both a warning and a promise. We also see the sorrow of Jesus. John's disciples had come to Jesus to ask if He was tru... Continue Reading...

Let These Sermon Briefs Give You Some New Ideas

Fifth Sunday of Easter (A)Sunday, May 2, 1999When Jesus Stands UpActs 7:55-60In a world of danger, the natural impulse is to want to play it safe. Self-preservation is one of our strongest instincts. How many p... Continue Reading...

Sermon Briefs Offer Fresh Ideas

Lent 3 (A)Sunday, March 7, 1999When There is No WaterExodus 17:1-7David, the psalmist, knew what it was to trust God. He gave us those beloved words, "He leads me beside still waters, He makes me to lie down in... Continue Reading...

Sermon Briefs Offer Homiletical Insights

Second Sunday of Christmas (A)Sunday, January 3, 1999The Best GiftsJohn 1:10-18By this time, the presents have been unwrapped and some Christmas toys may already have been broken while others -- hardly out of t... Continue Reading...

Sermon briefs offer homiletical ‘jump start’

Proper 26 (C)Sunday, November 1, 1998To Please GodIsaiah 1:10-18It was a sobering moment. We were at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the holiest site in Islam and the site of the ancient Jewish Temple. You c... Continue Reading...

Sermon Briefs Offer Homiletical Jump Start

Proper 18 (C)September 6, 1998Choose LifeDeut.30:15-20, Luke 14:25-33Choose life. Those words strike a responsive chord in all of us. In each of us, a secret -- or maybe not so secret -- struggle is going on be... Continue Reading...