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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Stephen W. Hawking, professor of... -- John 1:1-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Stephen W.
God can make all things... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B
God can make all things new.
In the David Lean movie... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B
In the David Lean movie, Lawrence of Arabia, there is a startling scene about the importance
A few theological seminary students... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B
A few theological seminary students were playing basketball in a local gym.
A little boy named Johnny... -- Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21 -- All Saints Day - B
A little boy named Johnny was always fighting with the little girl who lived next door.
In Bernie Siegel's second book... -- Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21 -- All Saints Day - B
In Bernie Siegel's second book, Peace, Love, and Healing, is this interesting section on inne
Have you thought about the... -- Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Have you thought about the hours of darkness?
A certain king had a... -- Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
A certain king had a dream. In his dream, he saw a huge pair of scales held in the hand of Justice.
Eyewitness to History by... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Eyewitness to History by John Carey is a collection of personal reports of individuals who are a par
A New England father hoped... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
A New England father hoped that he would have a family of sons who would grow up to become preachers
Imagine being born and immediately... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Imagine being born and immediately the Chief Justice of the United States of America shows up in the
The high school political science... -- Jeremiah 31:10-13 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
The high school political science class had been studying political crises in the Middle East.
Leo Perdue, Dean of Texas... -- Jeremiah 31:10-13 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Leo Perdue, Dean of Texas Christian University's Brite Divinity School and a renowned Jeremiah schol
Jeremiah mentions turning mourning into... -- Jeremiah 31:10-13 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Jeremiah mentions turning mourning into joy and sorrow into gladness.
Two members of a congregation... -- Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Two members of a congregation were residents of a local nursing home.
Her name is Martha Jean... -- Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Her name is Martha Jean.
If a child lives with... -- Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
If a child lives with criticism, she learns to condemn.
A colleague confided, It took... -- Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
A colleague confided, "It took three days of intent listening to understand exactly what my 82-year-
In the movie Joe... -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
In the movie Joe and the Volcano, Patricia (Meg Ryan) tells her friend Joe (Tom Hanks) her fa
Isaiah's words of prophecy are... -- Isaiah 61:10-62:3 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Isaiah's words of prophecy are startling.
Gentleman Jim Corbett (1866-1933) was... -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
"Gentleman Jim" Corbett (1866-1933) was one of the best boxers who ever stepped into a ring.
In an article titled I... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
In an article titled The Simple Life in the April 8, 1991 issue of Time magazine the writers
Joe Wick pastored the First... -- Luke 3:17-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Joe Wick pastored the First Christian Church in Lafayette, Indiana, for more than 25 years.
It is amazing how people... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
It is amazing how people who take the Bible seriously try to deny what this passage plainly states.
Having been an artist for... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Having been an artist for the Creative Poster Company for several years now, Dan always enjoyed the

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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20 – Worship Resources
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and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
For August 3, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

Note: The gesture used both hands. Hold both hands in front of you and make the thumbs-up sign with both hands with both thumbs pointing back at your chest. This is the “ME!” gesture. Then simply rotate your hands back so your thumbs are pointing straight up in the air, like two “OK” signs. This is the “US” gesture.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11: 1-13
The prophet compares Yahweh to a father who exercises compassion despite his original plan to punish Israel. John Calvin nicely explains these dynamics:
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11:1-11

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-- Psalm 107:9, 43

Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
John W. Wurster
" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

" 'I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.' (1:4). But they did not know me. Do you?

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