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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Emory, an old homeless wino... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
Emory, an old homeless wino, was picked up with a bunch of other men at a local bar
It's possible to be blind... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
It's possible to be blind physically and yet to have tremendous insight, isn't it? Helen
Karen sat quietly in the... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
Karen sat quietly in the back row of a huge cathedral-type church. She liked the old
Judy's grandmother imparted many words... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
Judy's grandmother imparted many words of wisdom, but the one that Judy remembers
The sixty-year-old son... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
The sixty-year-old son of Norman Vincent Peale was speaking at a conference for pastors
The French writer, Antoine de... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
The French writer, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, author of The Little Prince, was a
There was great celebration when... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
There was great celebration when Barry died. The service was simple, per Barry's
Everyone liked Abe and he... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
Everyone liked Abe and he liked everyone he met. At the retirement home, the staff, as
Many communion services are glum... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
Many communion services are glum affairs. Somberness prevails. Worship leaders act
A new heaven and a... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
"A new heaven and a new earth": It's hard enough for people to get used
A pastor thought it clever... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
A pastor thought it clever to add a new section to the church's monthly newsletter. He
Even today, when the French... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
Even today, when the French think of Charles de Gaulle they know that no one has
John Gillespie Magee Jr. was... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
John Gillespie Magee Jr. was an American pilot serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Vern was 48 when he... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
Vern was 48 when he contracted a rare form of cancer. He was told that treatment rarely
Jody viewed her life as... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
Jody viewed her life as both a gift and a miracle. Having suffered a near-fatal heart
Imagine a doctor who regularly... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
Imagine a doctor who regularly neglects one part of a standard three-part procedure. His
In WWII, Nora Lam's family... -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
In WWII, Nora Lam's family fled from Japanese-occupied China. After 37 days and
The journey from Moab to... -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
The journey from Moab to Bethlehem was no small undertaking, especially for an elderly
Some unknown writer left these... -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
Some unknown writer left these beautiful words about friendship:
Most pastors cringe when a... -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
Most pastors cringe when a couple comes to get married and requests this scripture to be
William Willimon tells a story... -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
William Willimon tells a story that took place at the Field Museum in Chicago, where his
The fair was coming to... -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
The fair was coming to town and with it came the midway -- rides, cotton candy, and
The pastor noticed a middle... -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
The pastor noticed a middle-aged man kneeling near the altar following his first Sunday
He was an agnostic, and... -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
He was an agnostic, and his wife an atheist. After receiving a direct-mail flier from our
When constructing a building, it... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
When constructing a building, it must be plumb and level. It must be perfectly vertical

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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