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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Gilbert Keith Chesterton called the... -- John 15:9-17 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Gilbert Keith Chesterton called the joy we experience in Christ "the gigantic secret of the Christia
Early in the twentieth century... -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Early in the twentieth century, a Presbyterian clergyman by the name of John Knox Montgomery accepte
The 2nd Space Operations Squadron... -- John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
The 2nd Space Operations Squadron of the 50th Space Wing of the U. S.
The passage bespeaks the incredible... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2003
The passage bespeaks the incredible power of God to transform and the place of faith in that transfo
Jesus suddenly appeared to the... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Jesus suddenly appeared to the disciples and said, "Peace be with you." We will do well to remember
Susan couldn't wait for Saturday... -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2003
Susan couldn't wait for Saturday morning.
A phone call after midnight... -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2003
A phone call after midnight is seldom good news.
One of the most privileged... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2003
One of the most privileged tasks of a minister is to be a counselor.
In Flags of our Fathers... -- John 15:9-17 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
In Flags of our Fathers, author James Bradley tells of a conversation with Jacklyn Lucas.
In hydrothermal vents on the... -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
In hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, scientists have discovered life in the form of microbes th
Sometimes it's too good to... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Sometimes "it's too good to be true." We can't believe. Such good news!
Twice in these few verses... -- John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Twice in these few verses, Jesus says that the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The movie Apollo 13 tells... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2003
The movie Apollo 13 tells the riveting story behind perhaps the second most famous quote in the hist
Hollywood movie producers spend millions... -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2003
Hollywood movie producers spend millions of dollars each film on special effects.
There is power in wind... -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2003
There is power in wind.
We need to hear the... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2003
We need to hear the truth, even if it comes to us unvarnished.
Unplugged? Plug in here and... -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
"Unplugged? Plug in here and get current with God!" So announced the church sign to the passersby.
To abide in my love... -- John 15:9-17 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
To "abide in my love" is to stand firm in it, to continue in it, to grow deeper into it.
Born in France in 1576... -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Born in France in 1576, Saint Vincent de Paul became a priest at a young age and was then captured b
A Jewish director was agonizing... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
A Jewish director was agonizing through what must have been his fiftieth film for This Is the Life,
Jesus told the ruler, Do... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2003
Jesus told the ruler, "Do not fear, only believe." The report that his daughter was dead had reached
Jesus' calming of a sea... -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2003
Jesus' calming of a sea storm is a paradigm for the way he also calms the storms that rage in our he
To be born again means... -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2003
To be born again means to be made a new person.
Reverend Cindy prayed that God... -- Romans 8:22-27 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2003
Reverend Cindy prayed that God would use her.
There are ways that the... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
There are ways that the presence of faith reveals God's victory in the world.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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
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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