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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Vince Lombardi in Run To... -- Hebrews 12:1-7 (8-10) 11-14 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Vince Lombardi in Run To Daylight wrote a chapter on running backs that contains a lesson on keeping
The dictator Nicolae Ceausescu of... -- Jeremiah 28:1-9 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
The dictator Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania oppressed his people and told them that nothing could thre
One favorite living room sport... -- Jeremiah 28:1-9 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
One favorite living room sport is try and rearrange history.
Operation Desert Shield, was undertaken... -- Jeremiah 28:1-9 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Operation "Desert Shield," was undertaken to protect the border of Saudi Arabia from being breached
Entertainer Barbara Mandrell tells an... -- Isaiah 66:18-21 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Entertainer Barbara Mandrell tells an important true story with straight-in-the-eye conviction and p
There's a beautiful hedge along... -- Isaiah 28:14-22 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
There's a beautiful hedge along the back property line where we live, but it wasn't always beautiful
Among the most tragic incidents... -- Isaiah 28:14-22 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Among the most tragic incidents of World War II were the collaborations between occupied peoples and
An ancient legend is told... -- Isaiah 28:14-22 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
An ancient legend is told of a famous blacksmith who, having been arrested and chained in the castle
One who trusts will not... -- Isaiah 28:14-22 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
"One who trusts will not panic," says Isaiah, mouthpiece for God.
An ad from the '80s... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
An ad from the '80s said about a financial firm, "When E. F.
Lyle Alzado was once the... -- Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Lyle Alzado was once the terror of the National Football League.
J.B. was Archibald... -- Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
J.B. was Archibald MacLeish's prizewinning play based on the biblical story of Job.
Most folks who have been... -- Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Most folks who have been involved in athletics have heard the phrase, "No pain, no gain." The meanin
George was a relatively new... -- Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
George was a relatively new member of the church.
Being a Christian unfortunately does... -- Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Being a Christian unfortunately does not prohibit us from doing the wrong thing in the wrong manner.
Jason was getting a high... -- Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Jason was getting a high D in his 10th grade algebra class.
A man was condemned to... -- Wisdom 18:6-9 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
A man was condemned to die in a gas chamber.
After these things the word... -- Genesis 15:1-6 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
"After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision (Genesis 15:1)."
Burt Bacharach wrote a musical... -- Genesis 15:1-6 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Burt Bacharach wrote a musical for Broadway titled, Promises, Promises.
Promises, promises, promises. There is... -- Genesis 15:1-6 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Promises, promises, promises.
Carroll fled his native Poland... -- Hebrews 11:1-3; 8-19 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Carroll fled his native Poland after the Second World War.
Bela came to this country... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Bela came to this country from Eastern Europe in the harsh days following the Second World War, when
Cyrus Field had what many... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Cyrus Field had what many thought was an impossible dream.
My parents would often trust... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
My parents would often trust the house to my three younger sisters and me when they went out.
A story is told about... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
A story is told about a "yuppie" who was in a car accident on a dangerous mountain road.

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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