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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In our nation where Christianity... -- Baruch 5:1-9 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
In our nation where Christianity had flourished in the past, it is now troubled both from within and
Paul wrote, You are always... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Paul wrote, "You are always in my heart (Philippians 1:7, TEV)!" Paul might be able to accomplish th
It just did not seem... -- Philippians 1:3-11
It just did not seem possible that it had been 42 years since he had knelt for the laying on of hand
Bethany Christian Church in Fort... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Bethany Christian Church in Fort Worth, Texas, has been small since its founding a quarter century a
In the classic Wait Disney... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
In the classic Wait Disney cartoon The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Mickey Mouse, as the young appr
At the turn of the... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
At the turn of the year it is customary for many of our national news magazines to recall for us the
A Sunday school teacher once... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
A Sunday school teacher once asked a class what was meant by the word "repentance." A little boy put
Make straight paths for him... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
"Make straight paths for him." Recently, a blind friend made the transition from using a mobility ca
The drum is probably the... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
The drum is probably the musical instrument most like the human heart.
The novelist Thomas Wolfe authored... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
The novelist Thomas Wolfe authored a book titled You Can't Go Home Again.
It was October in Paris... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
It was October in Paris in the year 1822.
A children's choir director was... -- Philippians 4:4-9 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
A children's choir director was recently relating her experience with the children in her junior cho
In his absorbing autobiography, I... -- Philippians 4:4-9 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
In his absorbing autobiography, God, Country, Notre Dame, Theodore Hesburgh, former President
Sociologists regularly succumb to the... -- Philippians 4:4-9 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Sociologists regularly succumb to the temptation to treat religion in terms of sociology and politic
A press release from the... -- John 13:31-35 -- Easter Day - C
A press release from the "Science Fiction But We Wish It Were True" Department:
Necessity has no law.br... -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
"Necessity has no law."-- Augustine
In Acts 11:26 we learn... -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
In Acts 11:26 we learn that in Antioch the name "Christian" was first used for the followers of Jesu
Will Campbell writes in Forty... -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Will Campbell writes in Forty Acres And a Goat: "When I got home I began to read up on John R
Were someone to approach you... -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Were someone to approach you, saying, "I hear that you are no longer a thief," you would be taken ab
The late Raymond Nogar, OP... -- Acts 14:8-18 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
The late Raymond Nogar, OP., in his book The Lord of the Absurd, talks about the way in which
The young couple was from... -- Acts 14:8-18 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
The young couple was from a large urban area.
The renowned magician and escape... -- Acts 14:8-18 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
The renowned magician and escape artist, Houdini, got out of many sets of handcuffs or straitjackets
Do you save ribbons? Or... -- Acts 14:8-18 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Do you save ribbons? Or, perhaps, pretty wrapping paper from presents?
The picture of a dwelling... -- Revelation 21:10, 22-27 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
The picture of a dwelling place not sustained by human or celestial luminescence, not dependent upon
The couple was sitting out... -- Revelation 21:10, 22-27 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
The couple was sitting out on their deck behind their cottage on a warm summer night enjoying the br

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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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