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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

History does not treat kindly... -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
History does not treat kindly a person who betrays another.
The poem The Midnight Ride... -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1994
The poem "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" tells of Paul Revere's ride throughout the Massachusetts
Dr. Joseph Sittler made the... -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1994
Dr. Joseph Sittler made the following statement in his book Grace Notes And Fragments.
Our church had a class... -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
Our church had a class for high school students and there were perhaps 15 of us.
Job's problems seem overwhelming. Still... -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1994
Job's problems seem overwhelming.
Even today my complaint is... -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
Even today my complaint is bitter."Wilber Nelson tells the story:
Robert Gard, long-time professor... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1994
Robert Gard, long-time professor of theater and drama at the University of Wisconsin, was sitting in
The grass which surrounds my... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1994
The grass which surrounds my house is clear and bright, tender and healthy, thick as a mat.
Hannah prayed to God for... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
Hannah prayed to God for a child and when God finally blessed her with a child she dedicated that ch
One of the essentials in... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1994
One of the essentials in working a 12-step program, in Alcoholics Anonymous and other groups that us
When we hear the word... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1994
When we hear the word witness our minds automatically think of a courtroom and of one who promises t
He had to make a... -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
He had to make a choice.
Oh great! A broken watch... -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1994
Oh great! A broken watch! Now what was he supposed to do?
In October of 1983, American... -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
In October of 1983, American medical students were held hostage in the revolt in Grenada.
At one time or another... -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1994
At one time or another the United States had been involved in wars against Great Britain, Japan, and
Everybody who follows major league... -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1994
Everybody who follows major league baseball knows what kind of player Chris Sabo, third baseman for
Professor Stephen Solomon White was... -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1994
Professor Stephen Solomon White was my major professor at Olivet Nazarene College, Kankakee, Illinoi
C.S. Lewis writes in the... -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1994
C.S.
Leontine T.C. Kelly, bishop of... -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
Leontine T.C.
The boss had pulled out... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1994
The boss had pulled out all the stops for this particular retirement dinner.
A young man who had... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
A young man who had just graduated from college was hired by a high school to teach English.
Snakes had never been one... -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
Snakes had never been one of her favorite creatures, so when the real estate agent showing the house
According to former Education Secretary... -- Exodus 20:1-7 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
According to former Education Secretary, William Bennett, the United States economy might be the sou
The trial of Peter and... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
The trial of Peter and John was an opportunity to make a speech under the direct inspiration of the
The presence of the Spirit... -- Acts 4:23-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
The presence of the Spirit in the early church was expressed in two ways: externally in the mission

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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