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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A family was seated in... -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2006
A family was seated in a restaurant. The server took the order from the adults, then turned
Six-year-old Andrea had... -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2006
Six-year-old Andrea had an innocence as well as a sincerity about her as she answered
What can you do when... -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
What can you do when you're treated unfairly? Go to any bookstore and you'll find books
In 1990, Jeremy Irons won... -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
In 1990, Jeremy Irons won an Oscar for his portrayal of Claus von Bulow in the film,
Every year, Tony would bring... -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
Every year, Tony would bring his family to the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars dinner
There is the story of... -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
There is the story of a young Parisian woman who wanted to marry an allusive and rather
What do people do when... -- James 5:13-20 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
What do people do when they realize the error of their ways and want to make up for it
The women's group watched a... -- James 5:13-20 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
The women's group watched a video about making Jesus and the church a higher priority
Larry Dossey, M.D., has written... -- James 5:13-20 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
Larry Dossey, M.D., has written a bestseller called Healing Words: The Power of
Mike and Sue had three... -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
Mike and Sue had three children and were minimally involved in the church. As the kids
Salt is good; but if... -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
"Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in
It was a cold, wintry... -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
It was a cold, wintry night when an older lady was on her deathbed. There were no
The temperature hit the low... -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
The temperature hit the low 100s for the third day in succession. Kelsey sat listlessly on
It is easy to be... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
It is easy to be a Christian when life is going well. Denny was a Christian who was
Patty had been through so... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
Patty had been through so much, she survived a scare with cancer, undergoing radiation
Job is a man who... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
Job is a man who "walks in his integrity." That word "integrity" is a rich one. Literally,
The Lord told me.... That's... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
"The Lord told me...." That's a favorite line by many pastors and especially televangelists.
A powerful movie came out... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
A powerful movie came out in 1993 titled A River Runs Through It, based on a
On a snowy day, a... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
On a snowy day, a young boy asked his dad why the family goes to church. After all,
As kids growing up, Barry... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
As kids growing up, Barry and Doug were inseparable. One of their favorite projects was
One of the harder issues... -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
One of the harder issues that many church leaders continue to face is when couples get
Sam is just thirteen years... -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
Sam is just thirteen years old but has not had an easy time with frequent moves to new
When it comes to the... -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
When it comes to the sort of love that sustains marriage, a celibate Roman Catholic nun -
Jerry wanted his day in... -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Jerry wanted his day in court. He was convinced there was no way the state trooper could
Years ago, a newspaper printed... -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Years ago, a newspaper printed an article about professional complainers you could hire

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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

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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