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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

One of the most amazing... -- Isaiah 35:1-10 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
One of the most amazing ironies of nature is the blooming desert.
The old Scot's Golf Manual... -- James 5:7-10 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
The old Scot's Golf Manual advised, "No matter how far you are behind, never give in.
One of the worst human... -- James 5:7-10 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
One of the worst human maladies is impatience for justice.
Susanna Wesley, the mother of... -- James 5:7-10 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Susanna Wesley, the mother of seventeen children, including John and Charles, taught each of her chi
For a brief time, I... -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
For a brief time, I was acting dean at Phillips Seminary. It was for fifteen months.
At the beginning of this... -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
At the beginning of this century, in Germany, a brilliant young man began studying theology in the G
Christmas Day was approaching too... -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Christmas Day was approaching too fast for Pam.
Collectors of ancient coins need... -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Collectors of ancient coins need to know if the coin they are buying is genuine or if it is a forger
Humans long for signs from... -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Humans long for signs from God or from the Bible.
The conversation between God's prophet... -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
The conversation between God's prophet Isaiah and King Ahaz is difficult to understand without havin
In Chungking, China, in November... -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
In Chungking, China, in November 1950, Methodist missionary, Francis Olin Stockwell, was sitting dow
Daniel Webster was one of... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Daniel Webster was one of America's greatest orators during the nineteenth century.
My mom and dad have... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
My mom and dad have lived in the same small town for over seventy years.
The past twelve months have... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
The past twelve months have been difficult for Rose.
Choir tryouts were a nerve... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Choir tryouts were a nerve-racking experience for the students.
In the thirteenth century, Francis... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
In the thirteenth century, Francis of Assisi regained the experience and energy of Christian hope.
Do you find it difficult... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Do you find it difficult to trust your spouse, your children, or your friends?
They shall name him Emmanuel... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
"They shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us.' " I know and you know family and friend
It is precisely when every... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
"It is precisely when every earthly hope has been explored and found wanting, when every possibility
I was at a clergy... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
I was at a clergy conference in a remote, rural location when lightning struck and all the electrica
People have been stopping to... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
People have been stopping to see Mr. Green's Christmas lights for many years.
Have you ever been down... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
Have you ever been down a cave? The tour guide leads you down into the bowels of the earth.
Even if our culture didn't... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
Even if our culture didn't seduce us from a biblical focus upon Jesus' birth, our propensity to triv
A generation ago, many preachers... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
A generation ago, many preachers sermonized against ungodliness. They denounced sin and sinners.
An English farmer told a... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
An English farmer told a companion that he had been saved by his good looks.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
For August 3, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

Note: The gesture used both hands. Hold both hands in front of you and make the thumbs-up sign with both hands with both thumbs pointing back at your chest. This is the “ME!” gesture. Then simply rotate your hands back so your thumbs are pointing straight up in the air, like two “OK” signs. This is the “US” gesture.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11: 1-13
The prophet compares Yahweh to a father who exercises compassion despite his original plan to punish Israel. John Calvin nicely explains these dynamics:
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11:1-11

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-- Psalm 107:9, 43

Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
John W. Wurster
" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

" 'I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.' (1:4). But they did not know me. Do you?

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