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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Preaching on Good Friday is... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C
Preaching on Good Friday is an impossible task.
Sometimes when we read short... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C
Sometimes when we read short portions of the scripture each week, we develop a skewed perspective of
In the Swiss Alps there... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C
In the Swiss Alps there is a peak known as Mount Pilatus, named after Pontius Pilate, because tradit
Woman, behold thy son ... and... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C
"Woman, behold thy son" ...
Mark Twain once said of... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Easter Day - C
Mark Twain once said of another, "He could charm an audience an hour on a stretch without ever getti
In Peter's Joppa Sermon, the... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Easter Day - C
In Peter's Joppa Sermon, the entire "Jesus story" is summarized. So also Rev. C. C.
A teacher asked her class... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Easter Day - C
A teacher asked her class members to tell who they thought was the greatest living person today.
A farmer during his slack... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Easter Day - C
A farmer during his slack season went deep-sea fishing on the Gulf of Mexico.
So long as there are... -- Exodus 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
So long as there are homes to which men turnAt the close of day;
Many authorities date this song... -- Exodus 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
Many authorities date this song of victory as one of the most ancient portions of the Bible.
Graham Greene, the English Roman... -- Exodus 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
Graham Greene, the English Roman Catholic novelist wrote insightfully about problems facing the chur
Two parents watched with pride... -- Exodus 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
Two parents watched with pride as their teenage child flawlessly performed an instrumental solo in f
Little resurrections come in all... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Easter Day - C
Little resurrections come in all shapes and sizes.
I believe that it was... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Easter Day - C
I believe that it was Reuben Youngdahl who told the story of the inactive member who returned to chu
Isaac Bashevis singer, in a... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Easter Day - C
Isaac Bashevis singer, in a book entitled Stories for Children, writes about the reason he wr
Sports analysts and coaches frequently... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Easter Day - C
Sports analysts and coaches frequently refer to "turning points" in a game.
Saint Paul, in this text... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
Saint Paul, in this text, talks about the way in which one individual life has been transformed by t
Today is the celebration of... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
Today is the celebration of being reminded.
While serving as Vice President... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
While serving as Vice President, George Bush represented his country by attending the funeral of Leo
Marian and Paul, husband and... -- John 13:1-15 -- Maundy Thursday - C
Marian and Paul, husband and wife, cook and yardman, were fuming as they approached the place of the
There is a spirit which... -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
"There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights
Maybe if I could see... -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
Maybe if I could see beyondthe edge of knowledgeMaybe if I could hear
After World War I, 900... -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
After World War I, 900 German soldiers who had violated international law were summoned to appear be
There is, in music, a... -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
There is, in music, a marking that is not often used, one that the casual performer of music might s
Even weekend gardeners appreciate the... -- Hosea 6:1-6 -- Good Friday - C
Even weekend gardeners appreciate the role of spring and summer rains in the growth of flowers and v

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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