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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

As in the Mohammedan mosque... -- Exodus 3:1-6 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1994
As in the Mohammedan mosque today, a sign of reverance and awe: Put off thy shoes from thy feet.
The Holy Spirit was given... -- Galatians 5:16-25 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1994
The Holy Spirit was given by God to keep the people of God close to God and to empower them for serv
There are moments in our... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1994
There are moments in our lives that we will cherish forever.
When Dr. Martin Luther King... -- Acts 11:9-30 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
When Dr.
There are those who say... -- Deuteronomy 15:7-11 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1994
There are those who say they do not read the Bible because it is a difficult book to understand.
In one of the many... -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
In one of the many philosophies he had explored during his college years he had come across the idea
Dr. Bernie Siegel has devoted... -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1994
Dr.
In Walter Brueggemann's book, The... -- Ezekiel 31:1-6, 10-14 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1994
In Walter Brueggemann's book, The Prophetic Imagination, he talks about the difference between the t
Butchart Gardens, near Victoria, British... -- Genesis 3:(1-7) 8-21 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1994
Butchart Gardens, near Victoria, British Columbia, is a living masterpiece, delighting visitors wit
Among his many teachings, Gandhi... -- 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (18-21) -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
Among his many teachings, Gandhi included the following principle: that it is impossible for someone
American civil religion is the... -- Isaiah 45:21 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1994
American civil religion is the aspect of American life that calls its citizens to a certain spiritua
The revelation of God's nature... -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
The revelation of God's nature and purpose is the true meaning of the incarnation -- Jesus came to s
The minister asked if anyone... -- Romans 7:13-25 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
The minister asked if anyone in the congregation knew a perfect person.
In a recent I Witness... -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
In a recent I Witness Video television show the action centered on a dramatic boat rescue.
Sometime ago an article appeared... -- John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
Sometime ago an article appeared in the "Dear Abby" column of the newspaper, written by a woman who
The movie The Godfather raised... -- 1 John 2:1-5 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
The movie The Godfather raised quite a stir when it showed, in the closing moment of the film, the n
The lesson was on biblical... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
The lesson was on biblical heroes.
Washington School's principal, Mr. Tavender... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
Washington School's principal, Mr.
In the city of Baku... -- Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9 -- Good Friday - B -- 1994
In the city of Baku, Azerbaijan, there is an ancient palace, built of solid stone, which is now a m
The day after Christmas the... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1994
The day after Christmas the announcer on the radio station said it was Ugly Tie Day for all the men
If you avoid marriage, you... -- 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1994
If you avoid marriage, you avoid encumbrances, and you can devote yourself to the Lord's work witho
It was the bottom of... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1994
It was the bottom of the ninth inning. The home team was one run down. There were two men out.
At the time of Jesus... -- John 1:43 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1994
At the time of Jesus, the fig tree had become a symbol -- rabbis would sit under the fig trees and t
One of the youth at... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1994
One of the youth at the church said to me, "Knock, knock." To this I replied, "Who's there?" "John,"
Oh, yes, it would have... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- 1994
Oh, yes, it would have been a lot easier, not to mention faster, if she had just gone to the remnant

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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