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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

On a recent visit to... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
On a recent visit to the United States, the Queen of England was hugged by an African-American welfa
Bethlehem is a small place... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
Bethlehem is a small place. Indeed the smallest clan in Abraham's family occupied that territory.
The day that Joellen joined... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
The day that Joellen joined our congregation she asked if she could sing in the choir.
The shuttle bus rounded a... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
The shuttle bus rounded a curve along the west rim of the Grand Canyon.
Around Christmas time, children are... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
Around Christmas time, children are often struck with the urge to do good; to number among the nice
She was a little old... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
She was a little old lady, well advanced in years.
Many of us have had... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
Many of us have had the tragic experience of working hard at a project or a relationship only to be
William Bright wrote a communion... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
William Bright wrote a communion hymn about the sacrifice Christ made on the cross:
It was during the month... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
It was during the month of December, the season of Advent that a black seamstress was on her way hom
Nothing is impossible with God... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
"Nothing is impossible with God." With these words a young woman is assured that God has found her t
In 1967 Dmitri Shostakovich, the... -- Luke 1:39-55 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
In 1967 Dmitri Shostakovich, the Russian composer, wrote a symphony titled, "October." The work was
My daughter teaches in western... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
My daughter teaches in western Kenya in a small village near the border of Uganda.
David had enlisted in the... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
David had enlisted in the Marines, full aware of the possibility of combat, especially with all of t
A great light has been... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
A great light has been shining on people who lived in the shadows, says Isaiah.
I was driving down a... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
I was driving down a country road on a night so dark that my headlights barely seemed to pierce the
Olympic athletes are extremely well... -- Titus 1:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Olympic athletes are extremely well disciplined.
At Christmastime we rejoice in... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
At Christmastime we rejoice in the news that the promised Messiah has come.
A remote village in Poland... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
A remote village in Poland had not been visited by a clockmaker for many years.
This week, I examined the... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
This week, I examined the Bible of a man who had lived 93 years.
In those days ... The mayfly... -- Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
"In those days ..." The mayfly lives only six hours.
A Sunday school teacher asked... -- Luke 2:1-10 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
A Sunday school teacher asked her elementary class of fifth graders to watch the advertisements on t
Martin Luther, with his characteristic... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Martin Luther, with his characteristic bluntness, once observed, "there is no more sin in a man's se
What do we postpone, what... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
What do we postpone, what do we find difficult to acknowledge? A yearly screening for cancer?
Bruce Larson, in his book... -- Baruch 5:1-9 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Bruce Larson, in his book, Believe And Belong, tells how he tried to help people commit their
How one deals with the... -- Baruch 5:1-9 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
How one deals with the sorrows of life will very much determine that person's future ability to live

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
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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

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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