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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

How many times we encounter... -- Revelation 21:10, 22-27 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
How many times we encounter people who have all but lost hope.
Charleston, South Carolina, might aptly... -- Revelation 21:10, 22-27 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Charleston, South Carolina, might aptly be called "the city of churches." Whether walking down the s
William R. Clark shares this... -- Revelation 21:22-22:5 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
William R. Clark shares this moving story about a child aware of his own dying.
For most of the listeners... -- Revelation 21:22-22:5 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
For most of the listeners, laity and clergy alike, there was a startling reaction as Dr.
Daily Willard Scott of the... -- Revelation 21:22-22:5 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Daily Willard Scott of the Today Show not only brings us the weather news but also greetings
A mild-mannered woman shifted... -- Revelation 21:22-22:5 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
A mild-mannered woman shifted uncomfortably in her pew when the lay leader for the morning read word
Schumann wrote to Mendelssohn, 'Bach... -- John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Schumann wrote to Mendelssohn, "'Bach was a man, out and out; with him nothing is half-done, morbid;
The Counsellor ... will bring to... -- John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
"The Counsellor ... will bring to remembrance all that I have said to you."
Roger Miller, the country songwriter... -- John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Roger Miller, the country songwriter and musician, wrote some lyrics that describe the nature of lov
We have all experienced teachers... -- John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
We have all experienced teachers and instructors who could make things "come alive," who could "inte
A UPS manager asked some... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
A UPS manager asked some friends of hers to deliver a parcel over a Christmas holiday near a town wh
The story is told of... -- Acts 13:44-52 -- Easter Day - C
The story is told of a troubadour who used to travel about the kingdoms of central Europe during the
Johann Sebastian Bach visited his... -- Acts 14:21-27 -- Easter Day - C
Johann Sebastian Bach visited his son Phillipp Emanual who had a post at Sans Souci Palace, home of
I am not worthy to... -- Acts 14:21-27 -- Easter Day - C
"I am not worthy to be baptized," the man told his pastor.
The first thing that Christian... -- Acts 14:21-27 -- Easter Day - C
The first thing that Christian love and Christian faith do to evil is to make a problem out of it.
The Methodist circuit riders were... -- Acts 14:21-27 -- Easter Day - C
The Methodist "circuit riders" were familiar figures during the expansion period of American history
Although written for a new... -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Easter Day - C
Although written for a new calendar year, some verses of the poem "Ring Out Wild Bells" by Alfred, L
There is a firm that... -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Easter Day - C
There is a firm that advertises its product as made in God's country.
An article in Psychology... -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Easter Day - C
An article in Psychology Today says that boredom in America has reached "epidem
To build a new church... -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Easter Day - C
To build a new church building is an exciting undertaking. It is also a lot of hard work.
Although portions of Revelation's Hallelujah... -- Revelation 19:1, 4-9 -- Easter Day - C
Although portions of Revelation's "Hallelujah Chorus" are taken up by Handel, the marriage scene and
What must the church focus... -- Revelation 19:1, 4-9 -- Easter Day - C
What must the church focus upon, if it is to be prepared for the return of Christ?
Censoriousness is always in greater... -- Revelation 19:1, 4-9 -- Easter Day - C
Censoriousness is always in greater supply than praise.
A couple in their late... -- Revelation 19:1, 4-9 -- Easter Day - C
A couple in their late 40s and members of a computer "bulletin board," who met by sending messages t
William Feather shares the story... -- John 13:31-35 -- Easter Day - C
William Feather shares the story of a man who found a five dollar bill on the ground.

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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