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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark nine tells of a... -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Mark nine tells of a time when the disciples of Jesus "did not understand what he meant, and were af
A man who received three... -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
A man who received three commendations for giving lifesaving help was fired for the fourth time he s
George Eliot's novel Silas Marner... -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
George Eliot's novel Silas Marner tells the story of a misanthropic hermit who lives in a cot
We may resist God, question... -- Job 42:1-6 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
We may resist God, question him, and argue with him; but eventually there comes a time of submission
It's one thing to know... -- Job 42:1-6 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
It's one thing to know God, and quite another thing to know about God.
In a study done on... -- Job 42:1-6 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
In a study done on ecstasy, the researcher found that one of the most important ecstasies consistent
My father's dad was rather... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
My father's dad was rather a failure.
The rich and the poor... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
"The rich and the poor meet together." (Proverbs 22:2)
What is the value of... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
What is the value of a good name?
A good name is the... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
A good name is the fruit of a life of integrity, dignity, self-respect, and service to others.
This third of the Servant... -- Isaiah 50:4-9 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
This third of the Servant Songs emphasizes obedience, endurance even under persecution.
President Calvin Coolidge was a... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
President Calvin Coolidge was a man of few words, for which he acquired the nickname, "Silent Cal."
Here in Isaiah 50 we... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Here in Isaiah 50 we have expression of the attitude of one who would serve, the philosophy of a ser
Resolve, energy, and integrity contribute... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Resolve, energy, and integrity contribute much to accomplishment.
When Jesus spoke of his... -- Mark 8:27-35 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
When Jesus spoke of his forthcoming death and resurrection, Peter rebuked him for speaking of such t
What does it profit a... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
"What does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his own life?" How much is a life wo
Peter had the right answer... -- Mark 8:27-35 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Peter had the right answer, but the wrong insight. His answer was right, but he didn't know why.
Thousands of years ago the... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Thousands of years ago the aim of the primitive nation-tribes was to conquer their neighbors by succ
Wernher Von Braun was a... -- Job 28:20-28 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Wernher Von Braun was a scientist skilled enough to be the genius behind the mighty Saturn rocket.
A minister, buffeted and weary... -- Job 28:20-28 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
A minister, buffeted and weary of the world, after confessing that he was afraid he had not helped b
At some point in time... -- Job 28:20-28 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
At some point in time we all sit around and ask ourselves the great questions of life.
Have you ever experienced a... -- Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Have you ever experienced a time when your own righteousness was "inconvenient" for someone?
In his best-selling novel... -- Proverbs 2:1-8 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
In his best-selling novel, published in 1973, Richard Bach presents Jonathan Livingston Seagull as o
For months the land and... -- Isaiah 35:4-7 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
For months the land and people had been at the mercy of the hot sun.
A small boy, underb... -- Isaiah 35:4-7 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
A small boy, under the guidance of his mother, had spent several days in the process of memor

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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
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...

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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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