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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

J. Winston Pearce has a... -- John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
J. Winston Pearce has a wonderful story in his old book, I Believe [(Nashville:
In the Disney animated film... -- John 16:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
In the Disney animated film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, there is a scene
Leonardo da Vinci knew the... -- John 16:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Leonardo da Vinci knew the centrality of Christ. The vanishing point of his painting of
Anyone who's ever booked a... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Anyone who's ever booked a vacation is familiar with travel brochures. Sometimes the
It is generally known that... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
It is generally known that when you chop down a tree, the roots stop growing causing the
Why Jesus? What makes him... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Why Jesus? What makes him different? How is he unlike every other person? Why
Although the internet is the... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Although the internet is the repository of the transitory, a surprisingly successful function
More and more businesses today... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
More and more businesses today are doing their best to do away with meetings. Perhaps
Anyone who has expected a... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Anyone who has expected a child knows there is much work to do. A place must be
Fear has been much forgotten... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
"Fear has been much forgotten -- both by the world and by Christians in general. We rush
There are many signs that... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
There are many signs that tell us a new season is upon us. The first frost, changing leaves,
Nora had her grandson bring... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Nora had her grandson bring her Christmas decorations up from the basement. As she
Alcohol, drugs, and pornography grab... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Alcohol, drugs, and pornography grab our attention. So do eating disorders, gambling,
During WWII, in a small... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
During WWII, in a small town in Great Britain, Julian Cotton's parents were gripped with
See, I am sending my... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
"See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me," writes Malachi. This
Malachi begins his text by... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Malachi begins his text by talking about God sending his people a messenger. We all
In 1955, when Walt Disney... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
In 1955, when Walt Disney launched his Disneyland theme park, the section called
Undertaking a major writing project... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Undertaking a major writing project can be daunting. Eviatar Zerubavel, a sociology
Harold and Betty had supported... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Harold and Betty had supported missionaries for over thirty years, ever since there were
The Pilgrims and Indians couldn't... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
The Pilgrims and Indians couldn't have guessed what they started. They could neither
Prepare yourself isn't what you... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
"Prepare yourself" isn't what you like to hear. You expect next, "Sit down, I have bad
The author of Luke was... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
The author of Luke was careful to establish the exact dating of the events he records.
Our Lukan text for today... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Our Lukan text for today is a marvelous passage. It could well be a page out of USA
Rabbi Harold Kushner tells of... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Rabbi Harold Kushner tells of his yearly experience, looking out at a full synagogue on
Frank and Judy inherited the... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Frank and Judy inherited the family farm when Frank's father retired. For the first few

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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