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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Finally, a Bible passage we... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
Finally, a Bible passage we can understand.
Instead of using a verbal... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1994
Instead of using a verbal (oral, wordy) illustration for this passage this time around, go to the l
Thou art my beloved Son... -- Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
"Thou art my beloved Son, with thee I am well pleased." In his book Mistreated, Ron Lee Dunn tell
In an article titled Dangers... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1994
In an article titled Dangers of Good Preaching, Wiliam Willimon writes that as a young preacher he t
Have you ever traveled on... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
Have you ever traveled on the West Virginia turnpike?
Learning a foreign language is... -- Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1994
Learning a foreign language is an intricate process.
The novel, Miracle Monday by... -- Ephesians 3:14-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1994
The novel, Miracle Monday by Elliot S. Maggin, gives us a picture of a despondent Superman.
Joyce Doane joined our high... -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1994
Joyce Doane joined our high school class when we entered the ninth grade, the start of high school i
There was so much he... -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1994
There was so much he didn't understand! Odd things kept happening, terribly odd things!
She was 98 years old... -- Lamentations 3:22-33 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1994
She was 98 years old. She was blind. She could hardly walk; her body was crippled with arthritis.
In ancient times, the household... -- Ephesians 5:21-31 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1994
In ancient times, the household was considered the basic social unit, a microcosm of the rest of soc
To eat and drink is... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1994
To eat and drink is to believe, to assimilate and to abide in Christ.
I left a meeting with... -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1994
I left a meeting with our finance committee disappointed and disheartened.
The prayer of the righteous... -- James 5:13-20 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
"The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective." It was a hot dry summer.
Florence Nightingale grew up in... -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1994
Florence Nightingale grew up in a wealthy, aristocratic family.
Napoleon Bonaparte was a man... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1994
Napoleon Bonaparte was a man obsessed with power.
The Pharisee who came to... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1994
The Pharisee who came to learn something from Jesus is like a certain pastor who was interviewed by
Some people, like Christ serving... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
Some people, like Christ serving as high priest, are ideally suited for their role.
There is a story about... -- Hebrews 4:14-16 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1994
There is a story about a man in India who converted to Christianity.
Throughout the scriptures Christians are... -- Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
Throughout the scriptures Christians are warned about judging. The judgment of people can be wrong.
Tim had this fascinating idea... -- Hebrews 2:9-11 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1994
Tim had this fascinating idea for a screenplay.
The writer is thinking of... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1994
The writer is thinking of the well-being of the church, and how to maintain it in the face of persec
When he was questioned by... -- John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1994
When he was questioned by Pilate, Jesus never answered one of the Procurator's primary questions: "
Driving in the northeast on... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
Driving in the northeast on toll roads can be quite expensive.
What we find in Revelation... -- Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 -- All Saints Day - B -- 1994
What we find in Revelation 7 is a description of a grand worship where both humanity and angels alik

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For September 7, 2025:

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him…. (vv. 28-29)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A pair of heavy gloves you might use to protect your hands when you are working or gardening.

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Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But I need to warn you that this story can be really tough to understand, so let’s see if we can figure it out.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that we must be utterly committed to him, even to facing danger and pain, if we want to follow him. In our worship today, let us ask him for help in this formidable task.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are scared to stand up for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we love other things more than you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we are more concerned with our own image than with you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
-- Psalm 139:1-2

Schuyler Rhodes
It would be an easy thing to read through this psalm and nod in assent before moving on to the next. It all seems pretty obvious. "Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread...." It is tantamount to what the young people refer to as a "no-brainer." Much of this bad advice could be avoided by turning off our televisions. And the sinner's well-worn walkways? They too seem fairly apparent. Yet somehow they continue to be well worn.
Paul E. Robinson
Another world, another day, another time. The bright sun cast its long dark shadows along streets filled with carts and animals, never once falling on automobile, trolley or McDonald's litter in the gutter.
Lee Ann Dunlap
What would you do if you opened your mailbox one day to find a letter from the city or county announcing that you have to move? That land your grandparents worked so hard to till, or for which you struggled so long to purchase is deemed the best land available for a new shopping mall. The appraisers will soon be checking out your home to determine its fair market value and you are expected to vacate.
Rick McCracken-Bennett
I remember as I was growing up, before gas became more precious than gold, that our family would go on buggy rides, as we called them, on Sunday afternoons after church and dinner. It was a great time for the entire family to be together, to wander back roads aimlessly, and to talk about just about anything you could imagine.
Gary L. Carver
The old man is about to retire for the evening. Closely he clutches a collection of correspondence as he replaces the worn letter he had read back into the bundle. It is the most treasured possession that he owns. As he hits his knees, he shakes his head in wonder and amazement at what God had done in his life. Only God could have taken him from where once he was to where he is now. And his prayer is one of gratitude.

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