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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

It was obvious to everyone... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
It was obvious to everyone that Mike did not want to attend the company Christmas
This question isn't for partygoers... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
This question isn't for partygoers. It's for church folks. Why aren't we having fun? "Have
By all accounts, President Warren... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
By all accounts, President Warren Harding wasn't an especially intelligent person.
Immediately before this lesson are... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Immediately before this lesson are two interesting lines, in Philippians 4:2-3. "I urge
W. H. Auden, in one... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
W. H. Auden, in one of his poems, challenges his readers to "practice their scales of
The commercial culture may have... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
The commercial culture may have kidnapped the baby Jesus (or at least it may seem that
Slate: a fine-grained sedimentary... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Slate: a fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash. It is easy to split
It would be Alice and... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
It would be Alice and Robb's first Christmas as a married couple. Both had children from
Did you ever have a... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Did you ever have a minister call you and fellow audience members "venomous snakes"?
People throughout history have said... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
People throughout history have said they wanted peace. So many people have stated their
Bethlehem, which in Hebrew means... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Bethlehem, which in Hebrew means "house of bread," was indeed a small town. But
Micah, scholars tell us, was... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Micah, scholars tell us, was a younger contemporary of Isaiah. The world of God's people
Some years ago, when the... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Some years ago, when the Duke University men's basketball team won back-to-back
In March 1917, under great... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
In March 1917, under great duress, Czar Nicolas II abdicated the Russian throne. A
It was a Saturday night... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
It was a Saturday night Darrel would not forget. He had been out drinking with some
What's your heaven strategy? One... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
What's your heaven strategy? One friend told me he was confident of going based on his
Elizabeth would give birth to... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptist and Mary to Jesus. Their meeting while
The little story about Mary... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
The little story about Mary and Elizabeth seems pleasant enough, doesn't it? Imagine the
Here is the story that... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Here is the story that never grows old. An angel came to a little wisp of a girl and told her
Trying to explain salvation, Wendell... -- Isaiah 62:6-12 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Trying to explain salvation, Wendell Berry tells a parable about a hunter who falls down
Julene's cubicle at work was... -- Isaiah 62:6-12 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Julene's cubicle at work was directly under the cold air duct. Julene welcomed the air-
Volunteers from several area churches... -- Isaiah 62:6-12 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Volunteers from several area churches enjoyed delivering hot meals to the elderly in their
No person's behavior ever received... -- Isaiah 62:6-12 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
No person's behavior ever received that much attention. Millions thought him innocent.
Christmas Day: Carols are sung... -- Titus 3:4-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Christmas Day: Carols are sung, scripture read, presents opened -- presents we give to
An idealistic young man once... -- Titus 3:4-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
An idealistic young man once asked a pastor how to achieve salvation. The pastor told

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The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
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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