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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Artists in the middle ages... -- Exodus 3:1-6 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1994
Artists in the middle ages painted their conceptions of God in frescoes.
Little Billy was enjoying a... -- Galatians 5:16-25 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1994
Little Billy was enjoying a huge double-dip ice cream cone, chocolate chip and strawberry swirl.
A retired priest asked the... -- 1 John 4:1-11 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
A retired priest asked the local undertaker to call him if ever there was a person to be buried who
The owner of a large... -- Mark 16:15-20 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1994
The owner of a large factory had a man working in his shop who was unusually gifted, both in his abi
For those who chose to... -- 1 John 3:18-25 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
For those who chose to preach on texts from the Jonanine epistles, Raymond E.
The movie JFK sparked a... -- 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1994
The movie JFK sparked a renewed interest in former President John F. Kennedy.
One day a daughter took... -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1994
One day a daughter took advantage of some time off from work to come home and spend a few days with
We were staying at a... -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1994
We were staying at a beautiful bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey.
A farmer enlisted the aid... -- 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (18-21) -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
A farmer enlisted the aid of some friends in searching for his small daughter who was lost.
Arthur Schopenhauer, the German philosopher... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1994
Arthur Schopenhauer, the German philosopher, once said: "Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink
In some ways I was... -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
In some ways I was a better preacher before I want to seminary and got confused.
Saint Ann's Episcopal Church is... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
Saint Ann's Episcopal Church is situated in the South Bronx section of New York City.
When after many rejections, my... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
When after many rejections, my friend and I received a contract for our book we could hardly believe
Easter GiftBy Robert... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-28 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
Easter GiftBy Robert Raines
What about that piece of... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - B -- 1994
What about that piece of wood nailed over the body of the dying Jesus almost 2,000 years ago?
Many people in our society... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1994
Many people in our society have a fascination with evil spirits and the confusion and terror they ca
On the front lawn of... -- John 1:35-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1994
On the front lawn of a certain church is a sign that reads: "Everyone is either a missionary or a m
A man was trying on... -- 1 Corinthians 7:17-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1994
A man was trying on his first tailor-made suit.
There is a story of... -- Acts 10:34-38 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1994
There is a story of a black family and a white family who lived in the area of Atlanta during the t
Copernicus pointed out that if... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
Copernicus pointed out that "if the first button of your coat is buttoned wrong all the rest will be
The late Rev. George Bennard... -- Sirach 24:1-2, 8-12 -- 1994
The late Rev. George Bennard composed "The Old Rugged Cross" in the mid-teens of this century.
There was once a young... -- Romans 8:31-39 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
There was once a young man who went to his rabbi.
One man was very upset... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1994
One man was very upset with his co-worker who witnessed to everyone who came into their garage.
Dana was a thorn in... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1994
Dana was a thorn in the flesh to many people in her affluent, urban church.
In past Advent days one... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- 1994
In past Advent days one heard Christmas carols everywhere.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

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.

* * *

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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