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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A father told his son... -- Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
A father told his son he should give up something for Lent as a way of remembering the sacrifice of
I looked at the group... -- Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
I looked at the group that I was supposed to lead up the twenty-six mile trail to the top of the Pik
Penitentiaries, reformatories. That's what we... -- Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Penitentiaries, reformatories.
When I was a seminarian... -- Jeremiah 11:18-20 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
When I was a seminarian in the 1960s, there was much talk of "prophetic" ministry, of "putting yours
The student teacher had just... -- Jeremiah 11:18-20 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
The student teacher had just given a lecture to beginning math students.
The day dawned coldb... -- Jeremiah 11:18-20 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
The day dawned cold and gray along the rocky coast of Norway.
Jeremiah has spoken the word... -- Jeremiah 11:18-20 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Jeremiah has spoken the word of the Lord.
Joshua seemed somewhat jealous for... -- Numbers 11:25-29 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Joshua seemed somewhat jealous for Moses that Eldad and Medad, possessing a portion of God's Spirit,
Human nature hasn't changed since... -- Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Human nature hasn't changed since the Israelites were complaining about their tough times.
Moses must have rejoiced to... -- Numbers 11:25-29 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Moses must have rejoiced to hear that the power of God moved among the elders and that they p
There can be a terrible... -- Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
There can be a terrible loneliness to leadership. The burden can seem overwhelming.
Christians of earlier days took... -- James 4:13-17; 5:7-11 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Christians of earlier days took quite literally the urging of James, to attach the condition of the
Farmers are required to live... -- James 4:13-17; 5:7-11 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Farmers are required to live with an overall patient trust in a power beyond themselves, whet
James is really talking straight... -- James 4:13-17; 5:7-11 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
James is really talking straight to most of us when he says, "Anyone who knows the good he ou
The basketball player, number 11... -- James 4:13-17; 5:7-11 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
The basketball player, number 11, gunned up a long shot from deep in the corner.
In the first half of... -- James 5:1-6 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
In the first half of this century, one man reigned as a type of king over an eastern Kentucky county
Considering the retribution that is... -- James 5:1-6 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Considering the retribution that is coming to the wealthy and the corrosive effect riches have on th
Rev. William Jackson, in The... -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Rev.
It has often been joked... -- Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
It has often been joked that the so-called "New Morality" is just the old immorality condoned.
Virtuous people annoy us. They... -- Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Virtuous people annoy us. They are a reproof to our way of thinking.
John did not have a... -- James 3:13-18 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
John did not have a high-school diploma (he had to drop out and go to work to help support his famil
Pope John XXIII was an... -- James 3:13-18 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Pope John XXIII was an excellent living example of the type of person referred to in this passage fr
Jealousy and selfish ambition are... -- James 3:13-18 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Jealousy and selfish ambition are counterproductive and destructive.
Paganini, the great violinist of... -- James 3:13-18 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Paganini, the great violinist of yesteryear, appeared before a vast audience to perform the same sel
Two cheers for the apostles... -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
"Two cheers for the apostles!" That is about all they get --a qualified endorsement, qualified honor

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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
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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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.

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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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