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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

You may have never heard... -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
You may have never heard of Plainfield, Indiana.
In this passage Paul is... -- Romans 7:13-25 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
In this passage Paul is baring his very soul which is the very essence of the human condition.
We never called him anything... -- John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
We never called him anything but Charlie-Ball -- just as if it was hyphenated.
The word translated as advocate... -- 1 John 2:1-5 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
The word translated as advocate while related to the word for the Spirit in the Johanine writings in
Mr. B. E. Hutchinson was... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
Mr. B. E.
At the conclusion of her... -- 1 John 1:1-2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
At the conclusion of her series of mystical visions or showings, the 14th-century mystic, Julian of
Throned upon the awful tree... -- Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9 -- Good Friday - B -- 1994
"Throned upon the awful tree, King of grief, I watch with thee.
For even those who have... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1994
For even those who have everything, like the Wise Men, also need to worship.
According to psychologists, Terry Hargrave... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1994
According to psychologists, Terry Hargrave and William Anderson, the three types of people who have
During 1992 at least 11... -- 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1994
During 1992 at least 11 people perished while attempting to climb the slopes of Mount McKinley in Al
I will never forget the... -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1994
I will never forget the Sunday that I sat in my "official quarterback arm chair" to watch one of the
Theological issues aside, there is... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1994
Theological issues aside, there is a human situation here that pastors will understand.
Some years ago, I was... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- 1994
Some years ago, I was privileged to hear Eli Wiesel present a lecture in a university campus settin
Mr. Hartley owned Hartley's Mill... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
Mr.
Christians have always viewed baptism... -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
Christians have always viewed baptism as a dramatic portrayal of what the Christian faith is about.
Joachim Jeremias in his valuable... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1994
Joachim Jeremias in his valuable book, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, told of the ostentation of th
As the story of the... -- 2 Kings 4:18-21, 32-37 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1994
As the story of the Shunammite's son illustrates, God's power to grant life and blessing often aris
A college choir and orchestra... -- 1 Kings 19:9-18 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1994
A college choir and orchestra was on a concert tour of Europe.
Recently Sandra had attended a... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- 1994
Recently Sandra had attended a lecture in which the speaker said, "The 20th century theologian Jurge
Wake Up, Wake Up, To... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
Wake Up, Wake Up, To Do the Word of the Creator is the account of life in a warm orthodox Jewish fam
There are many thought-provoking... -- Baruch 5:1-9 -- 1994
There are many thought-provoking and deeply moving scenes in the Academy Award-winning film, Schindl
This time of year provides... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
This time of year provides multiple opportunities to become worried and dispirited.
Moses not only wrote down... -- Exodus 24:3-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1994
Moses not only wrote down the law, but he also read it to the people.
Once upon a time, there... -- 2 Kings 2:1-15 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1994
Once upon a time, there was a young lad who had inherited a gold watch.
The man had tried every... -- Isaiah 57:14b-21 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1994
The man had tried every way he could think of to get his son to behave.

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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