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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

When I was about 15... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1994
When I was about 15 years old and working week-ends and summers for Harry Altherr at his "Quality Fe
Many pro athletes end up... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 1994
Many pro athletes end up playing with their heroes.
The movie Homeward Bound is... -- Hebrews 10:31-39 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
The movie Homeward Bound is a Disney adaptation of the 1960 novel titled, The Incredible Journey by
Dear Abby was once asked... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1994
Dear Abby was once asked, "What subject is the most popular among the letters you receive?" Would yo
During the midwestern flood of... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
During the midwestern flood of 1993 I was standing in line at a grocery store.
A dedicated, staunch Christian hired... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
A dedicated, staunch Christian hired a new Christian to work in his fabric store.
Anyone who has undergone a... -- Isaiah 35:4-7 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1994
Anyone who has undergone a minor medical procedure knows the fear that precedes the procedure.
There were not many passengers... -- James 4:7-12 (13-5:6) -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
There were not many passengers on that flight to Pittsburgh.
Doubt was his continual companion... -- Hebrews 10:31-39 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
Doubt was his continual companion. He envied those who seemed so confident, so sure of themselves.
There is an old story... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1994
There is an old story about a magician who had great powers.
By now everyone has heard... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
By now everyone has heard the old Jack Benny radio skit in which we heard a voice say, "Your money
When we were children we... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
When we were children we never tired of asking each other, "If you had three wishes, what would you
The travelling executive decided that... -- Isaiah 35:4-7 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1994
The travelling executive decided that as a test of ingenuity he would see if he could avoid tipping
One of the bishops of... -- James 4:7-12 (13-5:6) -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
One of the bishops of France told this story in one of his sermons.
A man was attending a... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1994
A man was attending a meeting at a country club he had joined only a few days earlier.
Often times Andrew is delegated... -- John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1994
Often times Andrew is delegated to walking in the shadow of his big brother Simon Peter.
The book Chariots of Fire... -- 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1994
The book Chariots of Fire by W. J.
No doubt Joseph was grateful... -- Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 -- 1994
No doubt Joseph was grateful for his dreams, but it also must have seemed strange that Herod the Gre
Judith, a spritely woman in... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
Judith, a spritely woman in her mid-70s, recently had an "Easter experience when, through a series
The story of Jesus is... -- Mark 14:12-26 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
The story of Jesus is truly a sad story. It is the story of a promise made and then unkept.
The film Cool Hand Luke... -- John 6:41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1994
The film Cool Hand Luke depicts life on a southern chain gang.
The vital connection between God's... -- John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1994
The vital connection between God's Spirit and life is established from the very beginning.
A Tap On The Shoulder... -- Ezekiel 2:2-5 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1994
A Tap On The Shoulder by Jim BrittYou were in a hurry.
My father and mother were... -- Mark 6:7-12 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1994
My father and mother were planning a long summer vacation for the entire family; we'd be gone six or
Paul commands us to live... -- Ephesians 4:1-6 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1994
Paul commands us to live a worthy life, even in the face of adversity.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For September 7, 2025:

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him…. (vv. 28-29)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A pair of heavy gloves you might use to protect your hands when you are working or gardening.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But I need to warn you that this story can be really tough to understand, so let’s see if we can figure it out.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that we must be utterly committed to him, even to facing danger and pain, if we want to follow him. In our worship today, let us ask him for help in this formidable task.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are scared to stand up for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we love other things more than you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we are more concerned with our own image than with you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
-- Psalm 139:1-2

Schuyler Rhodes
It would be an easy thing to read through this psalm and nod in assent before moving on to the next. It all seems pretty obvious. "Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread...." It is tantamount to what the young people refer to as a "no-brainer." Much of this bad advice could be avoided by turning off our televisions. And the sinner's well-worn walkways? They too seem fairly apparent. Yet somehow they continue to be well worn.
Paul E. Robinson
Another world, another day, another time. The bright sun cast its long dark shadows along streets filled with carts and animals, never once falling on automobile, trolley or McDonald's litter in the gutter.
Lee Ann Dunlap
What would you do if you opened your mailbox one day to find a letter from the city or county announcing that you have to move? That land your grandparents worked so hard to till, or for which you struggled so long to purchase is deemed the best land available for a new shopping mall. The appraisers will soon be checking out your home to determine its fair market value and you are expected to vacate.
Rick McCracken-Bennett
I remember as I was growing up, before gas became more precious than gold, that our family would go on buggy rides, as we called them, on Sunday afternoons after church and dinner. It was a great time for the entire family to be together, to wander back roads aimlessly, and to talk about just about anything you could imagine.
Gary L. Carver
The old man is about to retire for the evening. Closely he clutches a collection of correspondence as he replaces the worn letter he had read back into the bundle. It is the most treasured possession that he owns. As he hits his knees, he shakes his head in wonder and amazement at what God had done in his life. Only God could have taken him from where once he was to where he is now. And his prayer is one of gratitude.

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