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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Some Bible scholars believe Jesus... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
Some Bible scholars believe Jesus was the first to combine Deuteronomy 6:4 with
There was a human-interest... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
There was a human-interest story in The New York Times several years ago that
Teilhard de Chardin wrote: Someday... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
Teilhard de Chardin wrote: "Someday, after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the
One preacher tells the story... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
One preacher tells the story that comes from Mark Twain's writings. He was dealing with
Security is a good thing... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
Security is a good thing (no doubt about it!). A certain group of steelworkers discovered
Scientists have long been fascinated... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
Scientists have long been fascinated by the factors which cause one person to be attracted
Cathy had pretty much given... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
Cathy had pretty much given up on the idea that she would meet "Mr. Right" and live
If you were to ask... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
If you were to ask young people what two things are the most important, they'd probably
People repeat themselves, complaining about... -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
People repeat themselves, complaining about others who repeat themselves -- like
The phrase, once for all... -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
The phrase, "once for all" in verse 26 comforted Dietrich Bonhoeffer. During the Second
In one of Fred Speakman's... -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
In one of Fred Speakman's sermons, he tells a wonderful story of redemption (sermon by
Have you ever seen a... -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
Have you ever seen a ship being launched? There it sits on dry land, propped up by
Bill was a street person... -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
Bill was a street person who hung around the church for years. The congregation was
It was one of those... -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
It was one of those letters that the finance committee chairperson hates to write. The
Some behavior is a mystery... -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
Some behavior is a mystery. Why do we like doing forbidden things? For some teens, it's
A friend said, At my... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
A friend said, "At my age, I have to tell the truth. I couldn't remember a lie." Our memory
In 1986, Woody Allen wrote... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
In 1986, Woody Allen wrote and directed a drama/comedy/morality play called
Nothing captures the wonder of... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
Nothing captures the wonder of birth anymore than a scene from an old Bill Cosby show.
We live in a world... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
We live in a world that exploits children -- from child labor to pornography to
In 1927, a West African... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
In 1927, a West African man named Asibi was stricken with yellow fever. Few people in
There are basically three ways... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
There are basically three ways to make a vaccine. One method is to isolate or create an
Severe weather struck a working... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
Severe weather struck a working-class community in the next county. The church where
I was scared. I had... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
I was scared. I had visited and prayed with someone at mammoth Los Angeles County-
A pastor in England took... -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
A pastor in England took leave of his congregation during WWI to be a chaplain to the
Look, Teacher, what large stones... -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
"Look, Teacher, what large stones and what great buildings!" enthused Jesus' disciples

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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