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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mrs. Holland was a favorite... -- John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Mrs. Holland was a favorite teacher at Washington Elementary school for a number of reasons.
These days it seems we... -- John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
These days it seems we expect an awful lot from pastors.
Jesus offered --offers --peace, like... -- John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Jesus offered --offers --peace, like a bridge over troubled waters.
and we will come to... -- John 14:23-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
"... and we will come to him and make our home with him (v. 23)."
In the early 1950s a... -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
In the early 1950s a major U.S.
The preacher spoke eloquently against... -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
The preacher spoke eloquently against the evils of what former President Eisenhower called the "mili
Crisis --Bishop MurphyB... -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
"Crisis" --Bishop Murphy
It often takes a great... -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
It often takes a great upheaval in our lives --a violent personal earthquake --to bring us to our se
I used to have a... -- Acts 16:6-10 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
I used to have a Volkswagen with a weak door latch on the driver's side.
A university professor said that... -- Acts 16:6-10 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
A university professor said that the mark of a truly educated person was one in which "visions distu
A businesswoman was once staying... -- Acts 16:6-10 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
A businesswoman was once staying in a large and luxurious hotel.
At the completion of what... -- Acts 14:21-27 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
At the completion of what must have been a hectic journey, Paul and Barnabas stayed at Antioch "a lo
One of the great privileges... -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
One of the great privileges pastors have is being able to be with people at momentous times of their
A stranger approached a little... -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
A stranger approached a little boy who was flying a kite so high that it was out of sight.
Consider tears. Consider them in... -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Consider tears.
The sign in the window... -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
The sign in the window read, "Under New Management." A customer came in and asked, "What's the idea?
Loren Eiseley in his book... -- Revelation 19:1, 4-9 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Loren Eiseley in his book, The Immense Journey, records an incident of tramping through the w
The Christian community is accustomed... -- Revelation 19:1, 4-9 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
The Christian community is accustomed to saying in word and song, "Hallelujah!" Hallelujah fills the
You undoubtedly have seen those... -- Revelation 19:1, 4-9 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
You undoubtedly have seen those slick covered books, cards and brochures that make a stab at picturi
A crusty old country politician... -- John 13:31-35 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
A crusty old country politician, veteran of the infighting of a thousand battles, once said to me: "
The Sunday school teacher had... -- John 13:31-35 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
The Sunday school teacher had enjoyed teaching about the various personalities in the Old and New Te
Think of how much Christ... -- John 13:31-35 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Think of how much Christ loves you. Now you also must love others as Christ loves you.
A colleague was asked to... -- John 13:31-35 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
A colleague was asked to speak at a community prayer breakfast.
Ron and Lori were celebrating... -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Ron and Lori were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.
Generally people will listen to... -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Generally people will listen to someone who speaks from the vantage point of actually having made an

Political Pulpit

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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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