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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Dorothy L. Sayers, in her... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Dorothy L.
It was her first year... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
It was her first year in college.
Dwight Moody used to tell... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Dwight Moody used to tell the story about the lighthouse keeper out on a lonely island somewhere, wh
When Thomas wasn't with the... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
When Thomas wasn't with the other disciples on the occasion of Jesus' first resurrection appearance,
Love Canal, you will recall... -- Acts 9:1-20 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Love Canal, you will recall, is an area south of Buffalo, New York, discovered some years back to be
The well-sealed bottle bearing... -- Acts 9:1-20 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
The well-sealed bottle bearing a precious message is known to be one of the world's most seaworthy v
In our litigious society, we... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
In our litigious society, we have some big trials.
Regularly we are far too... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - C
Regularly we are far too mechanical about the Resurrection.
The model of how a... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - C
The model of how a person becomes chief or ruler among the Bantu people of Africa provides an intere
A trainer of seeing eye... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - C
A trainer of seeing eye dogs was being interviewed by a reporter to learn about his work.
They call it imaging. Whether... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - C
They call it "imaging." Whether it is the golfer putting into his mind exactly what his swing will f
When people are in deep... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
When people are in deep grief, as was Mary in the garden on Easter morning, it is not unusual not to
The Holy Gospel for today... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
The Holy Gospel for today is the Johannine account of Easter morning.
Imagine for a moment a... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
Imagine for a moment a child who has just received one of life's most splendid gifts -- the gift of
Malcolm Muggeridge describes poetically his... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
Malcolm Muggeridge describes poetically his own death.
Why do you seek the... -- Luke 24:1-10 -- Easter Day - C
Why do you seek the living among the dead?
Amplius. Amplius -- draw it bigger... -- Luke 24:1-10 -- Easter Day - C
"Amplius. Amplius -- draw it bigger," Michelangelo said to one of his students.
Elspeth Huxley, in her story... -- Luke 24:1-10 -- Easter Day - C
Elspeth Huxley, in her story in The Mottled Lizard, describes her reaction to going out into
Alice got the news in... -- Luke 24:1-10 -- Easter Day - C
Alice got the news in mid-morning when she went to her post office box for the mail.
We, like Peter, are called... -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
We, like Peter, are called to obey God rather than people.
At a weekly Bible study... -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
At a weekly Bible study for pastors, one of the group shared his intention of being arrested the fol
Mid-winter in the year... -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Mid-winter in the year A.D.
On a recent episode of... -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
On a recent episode of the new TV series Aaron's Way, the chief character of the series, Aaro
Dr. William Henry Welch, the... -- Acts 5:12-16 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Dr.
Martin Luther was a person... -- Hebrews 10:1-25 -- Good Friday - C
Martin Luther was a person of deep conscience and a faithful son of the church.

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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