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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Shelby Foote, in his narration... -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1994
Shelby Foote, in his narration of The Civil War series of videos, talks of the state of the Negro s
Kate had never understood the... -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1994
Kate had never understood the maliciousness of the bullies who had confronted her and her brother th
He was a powerful speaker... -- James 3:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1994
He was a powerful speaker. Following the Great Depression, his country lay prostrate.
Once, as a child, I... -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1994
Once, as a child, I was taken to visit a family farm.
Social chaos had led the... -- Isaiah 59:(1-4) 9-19 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
Social chaos had led the people of Israel to believe that God didn't care.
During the Black Hawk Indian... -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1994
During the Black Hawk Indian War, Abraham Lincoln fought as a captain.
In the movie, Raiders of... -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
In the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, archaeologist Indiana Jones receives word of the possible exi
As the pioneer of human... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1994
As the pioneer of human salvation, Jesus must share all the conditions of humanity, including suffer
I have always wondered how... -- Deuteronomy 8:1-10 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1994
I have always wondered how and why.
It's a matter of confidence... -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1994
It's a matter of confidence -- it has happened.
In my mind there is... -- Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21 -- All Saints Day - B -- 1994
In my mind there is a scene from a play which has never been -- and probably never will be -- writte
There is an Hasidic tale... -- Daniel 12:1-13 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
There is an Hasidic tale about a young rabbi who wanted to be enlightened.
During a church softball game... -- Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1994
During a church softball game, the coach called aside the first batter and told him to hit a home ru
Cecil was my boyhood friend... -- Romans 8:22-27 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1994
Cecil was my boyhood friend and wanted me to stay overnight at his place.
Each week at Taconic Correctional... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1994
Each week at Taconic Correctional Facility in New York State, inmates and volunteers meet in a grou
It was standing room only... -- John 17:6-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
It was standing room only in the company lunchroom for the special evening meeting of all employees
A youth leader wanted to... -- Acts 11:19-30 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
A youth leader wanted to get to know her students better, so she invited them to bring their favori
God's love is powerful indeed... -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
God's love is powerful indeed, but it is not an isolated entity.
A man applied for the... -- Deuteronomy 15:7-11 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1994
A man applied for the job of police commissioner in one of our larger cities.
Jane had just gotten off... -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1994
Jane had just gotten off the phone with her daughter, Barbara, who had been up all night with the ne
On June 21, 58 B.C... -- Ezekiel 31:1-6, 10-14 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1994
On June 21, 58 B.C., the prophet spoke these words regarding Egypt, calling to mind the fate of Assy
Her Sunday school class had... -- Genesis 3:(1-7) 8-21 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1994
Her Sunday school class had been studying the story of Adam and Eve.
When the early Christians shared... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
When the early Christians shared the bread and the cup together, they recalled aloud the event on wh
Soren Kierkegaard was a man... -- Isaiah 45:21-25 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1994
Søren Kierkegaard was a man who posed a gift of storytelling that has long imprinted unforgettable i
As a child, I attended... -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
As a child, I attended an Episcopal parish school.

Political Pulpit

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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 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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