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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

On the excellent television program... -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
On the excellent television program, Hill Street Blues, was the story of three drug-crazed ju
When great civilizations begin to... -- Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
When great civilizations begin to decline they pull in every resource to preserve themselves.
When You Care Enoughbr... -- Luke 20:9~19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
When You Care Enoughto Send the Very Best(a story)
P. D. James, in the... -- Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
P. D.
The young man entered the... -- Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
The young man entered the store armed with a club and a gun.
doing in the figure of... -- Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
"... doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion
In the first decade of... -- John 8:1-11 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
In the first decade of this century, a woman in a small community came to see her pastor.
She was a sinner no... -- John 8:1-11 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
She was a sinner no doubt about it. I wonder what Jesus wrote in the ground?
In 1864, a crowded train... -- John 8:1-11 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
In 1864, a crowded train was pulling away from Jersey City station when the son of President Lincoln
Harold Schonberg once described the... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - C
Harold Schonberg once described the vocal chords of Luciano Pavarotti as being "kissed by God." What
About thirty years ago, a... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - C
About thirty years ago, a strange story was reported concerning an unlettered Brazilian peasant who
A number of years ago... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - C
A number of years ago Khrushchev was addressing the Supreme Soviet and denouncing the brutalities of
The moral of the well... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - C
The moral of the well-known children's story about The Little Engine That Could is not that t
In a recent Gallup Poll... -- Deuteronomy 32:36-39 -- Passion Sunday - C
In a recent Gallup Poll, these interesting statistics are revealed about America's relationship with
Unless we think for a... -- Deuteronomy 32:36-39 -- Passion Sunday - C
Unless we think for a while, it is easy to relegate the issue of false gods as a curiously antique i
Dr. Robin Cook's novel Godplayer... -- Deuteronomy 32:36-39 -- Passion Sunday - C
Dr.
Some people think they're living... -- James 5:1-6 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Some people think they're living when they're really not.
James' tirade against wealthy people... -- James 5:1-6 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
James' tirade against wealthy people is an echo of the statement by Jesus, "It is easier for a camel
One observation is very clear... -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
One observation is very clear to me: Christians tend to be cliquish.
Isaiah here does not speak... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Isaiah here does not speak of the physically blind, or deaf, or dumb.
Imagine driving your car only... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Imagine driving your car only looking through the rear view mirror.
In the free society of... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
In the free society of our time, it is very easy to rebel against any notion of a divine plan.
In our religious history, the... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
In our religious history, the historical people of faith resided in the desert wilderness.
John Denver made popular a... -- Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
John Denver made popular a song titled "On the Road." It tells about a family that didn't know who t
A text considered the earliest... -- Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
A text considered the earliest writing by an African American slave is entitled The Uncommon Suff

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The Political Pulpit

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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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