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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mrs. Kovacs remembered introducing Andrew... -- Sirach 10:(7-11) 12-18 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Mrs.
My name is Ozymandias, King... -- Sirach 10:(7-11) 12-18 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings. Look on my works, you mighty, and despair."
I recently read the story... -- Genesis 32:3-8, 22-30 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
I recently read the story of a Connecticut burglar who broke into a home Christmas Eve and stole all
Rachel went to Jacob at... -- Genesis 32:3-8, 22-30 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Rachel went to Jacob at the dawning of that new day and as cheerfully as possible said, "Good mornin
Albert Schweitzer, at the age... -- Genesis 32:3-8, 22-30 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Albert Schweitzer, at the age of 21, already an accomplished musician, theologian, and scholar, wres
The majority of people in... -- 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
The majority of people in America in the workforce do not enjoy what they must do daily in their wor
There is a great deal... -- 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
There is a great deal we can learn about inviting people to church from the salesman's manual.
Consider a person who attends... -- 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Consider a person who attends worship and Sunday school every week for 50 years.
My friend called long distance... -- 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
My friend called long distance to chat.
I never read this text... -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
I never read this text without being reminded of the years in which each of my four children reached
Ava made a point of... -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Ava made a point of spending time with hen only niece, Anne.
After many letters and many... -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
After many letters and many more phone calls, the old, abandoned house was razed.
In the eighteenth century, four... -- Luke 18:1-18 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
In the eighteenth century, four Moravian missionaries sailed from London to the island of St.
An atheist said to a... -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
An atheist said to a pastor during a debate on a radio call in talk show: "I could have made a bette
Coach Anderson had been pretty... -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Coach Anderson had been pretty tough on the team when he discovered how much they had violated train
Salvation from sin and self... -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Salvation from sin and self is a universal concept in both Bible testaments.
I sat outside a grocery... -- Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
I sat outside a grocery store next to a street person, a thin, worn-looking woman whom I had seen ar
Hello, Prayers Are Us? Hi... -- Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
"Hello, Prayers Are Us? Hi, I'd like to order a prayer.
A close friend and colleague... -- Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
A close friend and colleague tells the story of a rich man in his congregation who is always compell
Following the second World War... -- Jeremiah 14:(1-6) 7-10, 19-22 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Following the second World War churches were filled to capacity in many places.
The couple sat in the... -- Jeremiah 14:(1-6) 7-10, 19-22 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
The couple sat in the counselor's office, not looking at each other.
The city of Philadelphia hired... -- Jeremiah 14:(1-6) 7-10, 19-22 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
The city of Philadelphia hired an efficiency expert to give them suggestions on how to improve the o
In the Riik Museum in... -- Jeremiah 14:(1.6) 7-10, 19-22 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
In the Riik Museum in Amsterdam hangs Rembrandt's painting of Jeremiah.
In 1870, a minister was... -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
In 1870, a minister was assigned to a desolate and rowdy mining camp in California.
Roughly one generation has passed... -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Roughly one generation has passed since the end of the Vietnam War.

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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