Center for Excellence in Preaching

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A curated collection of grief-related poetry, books, prayers, and more.

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Explore our Preaching Connections collection for illustrations and quotes on over 100 common preaching topics like joy, compassion, and sin.

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This Week's Sermon Commentaries

Matthew 21:33-46 Sermon Commentary

October 8, 2023

Chelsey Harmon

If we thought the last parable was a pointed commentary, this one is sure to make us a little squirmy. Continuing to publicly address the leaders of the temple, Jesus builds his case about the disobedience and rejection he sees from those who ought to know better. Then, he makes a biting prophecy about his…

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Sermon Commentary

October 8, 2023

Meg Jenista

Textual Comments, Observations and Questions: Some commentators believe that these brief excurses (v. 5-6 and 10-11) signal a later addition to the original text, which could substantiate the lectionary compiler’s choice to excise them from the reading this week. However, getting down to just 10 commands out of all the attitudes, postures, words and actions…

Psalm 80:7-15 Sermon Commentary

October 8, 2023

Scott Hoezee

Carving out only the middle section of Psalm 80 (as the Lectionary does) has several drawbacks, not least that if you only read those 9 verses, you miss the framing refrain of this poem as it occurs word-for-word in verses 3, 7, and 19: Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us,…

Philippians 3:4b-14 Sermon Commentary

October 8, 2023

Doug Bratt

The Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to pack this Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson with poetic and vivid imagery. Commentaries on the CEP website from 2016 and 2020 delve into some of these images. However, preachers whom the Spirit prompts to move in a slightly different direction might consider Paul’s imagery of “taking hold” (12, 13). It,…

Preaching in the 21st Century – Jeff Manion & Scott Hoezee

Sermon Craft – Rev. Meg Jenista

Preaching Without Notes – Rev. Mary Hulst

The Ethics of Sermon Illustrations – Rev. Scott Hoezee

Imagination and Images – Rev. Peter Jonker

Political or Partisan? – Rev. Meg Jenista

Preaching Salvation – Rev. Meg Jenista

Desire for Anointed Preaching Part 1 – Rev. David Beelen

Desire for Anointed Preaching Part 2 – Rev. David Beelen

Sermon Introductions Do’s and Don’ts – Rev. John Rottman

Preaching Parables Graciously – Rev. John Rottman

God-Active Language – Rev. Scott Hoezee

What is an Illustration? – Rev. Scott Hoezee

Show, Don’t Tell – Rev. Scott Hoezee

The Controlling Image – Rev. Peter Jonker

Physical Space in Preaching – Rev. Mary Hulst

The Center for Excellence In Preaching

We provide pastors with fresh and vibrant resources to enhance your preaching. Explore our library of sermon commentaries including our new sermon commentaries made available each week. Dive into our key preaching connection topics and find relevant illustration ideas from movies and literature. Fine-tune your preaching with short, refreshing teaching videos on various aspects of preaching. We also curate lists of recommended commentaries and books and provide information on upcoming conferences and seminars.

The Center for Excellence in Preaching serves the church by providing preachers with fresh ideas and resources to help make the weekly sermon from God's Word an eventful and vibrant proclamation of grace and hope. CEP is a resource from Calvin Theological Seminary.

Resources for Grief

Preaching Connections

This Week's Sermon Commentaries

Matthew 21:33-46 Sermon Commentary

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Sermon Commentary

Psalm 80:7-15 Sermon Commentary

Philippians 3:4b-14 Sermon Commentary

Fine-Tuning Your Preaching

Preaching in the 21st Century – Jeff Manion & Scott Hoezee

Sermon Craft – Rev. Meg Jenista

Preaching Without Notes – Rev. Mary Hulst

The Ethics of Sermon Illustrations – Rev. Scott Hoezee

Imagination and Images – Rev. Peter Jonker

Political or Partisan? – Rev. Meg Jenista

Preaching Salvation – Rev. Meg Jenista

Desire for Anointed Preaching Part 1 – Rev. David Beelen

Desire for Anointed Preaching Part 2 – Rev. David Beelen

Sermon Introductions Do’s and Don’ts – Rev. John Rottman

Preaching Parables Graciously – Rev. John Rottman

God-Active Language – Rev. Scott Hoezee

What is an Illustration? – Rev. Scott Hoezee

Show, Don’t Tell – Rev. Scott Hoezee

The Controlling Image – Rev. Peter Jonker

Physical Space in Preaching – Rev. Mary Hulst

The Center for Excellence In Preaching

The Center for Excellence in Preaching serves the church by providing preachers with fresh ideas and resources to help make the weekly sermon from God's Word an eventful and vibrant proclamation of grace and hope. CEP is a resource from Calvin Theological Seminary.

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Resources for Grief

Preaching Connections

Sign Up for Weekly Sermon Commentary Ideas

This Week's Sermon Commentaries

Fine-Tuning Your Preaching

The Center for Excellence In Preaching

The Center for Excellence in Preaching serves the church by providing preachers with fresh ideas and resources to help make the weekly sermon from God's Word an eventful and vibrant proclamation of grace and hope. CEP is a resource from Calvin Theological Seminary.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter!