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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Verse 22 is an interesting... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1994
Verse 22 is an interesting switch.
Robert Herbert Thompson owns 180... -- James 5:1-6 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
Robert Herbert Thompson owns 180 newspapers, 290 other companies, and an estimated $300 million.
St. Ann's Episcopal Church is... -- John 6:41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1994
St. Ann's Episcopal Church is situated in the South Bronx section of New York City.
I know a man -- Paul... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1994
"I know a man" -- Paul means himself. He won't boast, but he could if he wanted to.
These travel instructions assume that... -- Mark 6:7-13 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1994
These travel instructions assume that those who go will totally depend upon the God in whose name th
Leftovers! Again! Well, the family... -- John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1994
Leftovers! Again! Well, the family wouldn't be pleased, but there was no help for it.
There is a story of... -- John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1994
There is a story of Napoleon. Once he and an acquaintance were talking about life.
Mr. Gar Wood was a... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1994
Mr. Gar Wood was a genius inventor with many talents and racing speed boats was one of them.
Paul reminds us that we... -- 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1994
Paul reminds us that we learn the Christian faith by imitating role models.
In the 1970s a new... -- Ephesians 3:1-14 -- 1994
In the 1970s a new bridge was being erected over the Ohio River at Cincinnati.
Baptism with the Holy Spirit... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1994
Baptism with the Holy Spirit draws people into spiritual communion with God, and thus they become br
What if Simon and Andrew... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1994
What if Simon and Andrew had kept on fishing? Would Jesus have come back?
Since Christians have been raised... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
Since Christians have been raised with Christ, the life of the resurrection is their actual conditio
This passage is a contrast... -- Isaiah 35:4-7 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1994
This passage is a contrast in opposites -- sight for those who have been blind, voice for the mute,
The decade of the 1980s... -- James 4:7-12 (13-5:6) -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
The decade of the 1980s brought an amazing range of consumer goods into being.
Edwin R. Roberts of Princeton... -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1994
Edwin R.
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen once... -- Ephesians 4:1-6 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1994
Bishop Fulton J.
A man said to his... -- John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1994
A man said to his barber, "I need a good haircut.
The 1992 movie, Leap of... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1994
The 1992 movie, Leap of Faith, tells the story of a traveling evangelist who used every trick, inclu
The television show, The Martian... -- 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1994
The television show, The Martian Chronicles is about humans who colonize Mars.
Fred Turner set out to... -- Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 -- 1994
Fred Turner set out to make a point. He wanted to prove that most people in America are good.
Keep your eye on the... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
"Keep your eye on the ball." It is the advice given to batters, golfers and placekickers.
It is uncomfortable and unsettling... -- Mark 14:12-26 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
It is uncomfortable and unsettling when something bad happens and no responsible person comes forwar
Jesus' family and friends refuse... -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1994
Jesus' family and friends refuse to see him in any way but the conventional relationships of blood t
A recent development in the... -- John 14:15-21 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
A recent development in the war against crime is life-sized cardboard cutouts of police officers.

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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