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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A summer writing project necessitated... -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
A summer writing project necessitated sending weekly news articles electronically.
It took 72 years to... -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
It took 72 years to complete the building of the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
This particular Sunday presents an... -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
This particular Sunday presents an apocalyptic text which often figures into the celebration of All
During the 16th century, the... -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
During the 16th century, the Dutch people revolted against King Philip II of Spain.
Philip Yancy in his absorbing... -- John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Philip Yancy in his absorbing book, Disappointment with God, tells of a friend who was swimmi
Sheep are funny creatures. They... -- John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Sheep are funny creatures.
Probably most of us appreciate... -- John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Probably most of us appreciate those individuals who can bring cheer and grace to any situation.
Pastor Bill loved to spend... -- Acts 14:8-18 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Pastor Bill loved to spend time with the children of the parish.
Paul said to the crippled... -- Acts 14:8-18 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Paul said to the crippled man, "Stand upright." It is good advice that is not always heeded.
Shelby Foote is a southern... -- Acts 14:8-18 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Shelby Foote is a southern novelist and historian who recently has attracted a great deal of popular
One of the real temptations... -- Acts 14:8-18 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
One of the real temptations every minister must face is letting the popularity of the office get to
Over the years gruff, loud... -- Acts 14:21-27 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Over the years gruff, loud, abrasive Mrs.
A casual reading of the... -- Acts 14:21-27 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
A casual reading of the book of Acts suggests that there were but a handful of very prominent preach
The priest-scientist, Teilhard de... -- Acts 14:21-27 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
The priest-scientist, Teilhard de Chardin, SJ, wrote: "Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves
A philosophy student was talking... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
A philosophy student was talking to his father on their way to church.
C. FitzSimons Allison tells of... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
C.
A nobleman in England visited... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
A nobleman in England visited Josiah Wedgewood. He was the first of a family of famous potters.
Ever since Jesus called the... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Ever since Jesus called the fisherman Peter and his companions and later re-called them in his post-
When the Apostle Paul spoke... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
When the Apostle Paul spoke about love, he spoke about love being patient and kind, he spoke about l
The Man Who Mistook... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for His Hat is a collection of case histories of individuals wit
Josh had taught swimming at... -- Acts 13:15-16, 26-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Josh had taught swimming at the YMCA for several years now.
The Today's English Version has... -- Acts 13:15-16, 26-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
The Today's English Version has the officials of the synagogue say, "Brothers, we want you to speak
What does it mean to... -- Acts 13:15-16, 26-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
What does it mean to "fear God?" I am thankful that the times in my life I have been most afraid hav
I was convinced that I... -- Acts 13:15-16, 26-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
I was convinced that I was serving the most difficult, demanding, conflicted congregation in the cou
Presents were the most important... -- Acts 13:14, 43-52 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Presents were the most important thing about Christmas to this six-year-old boy.

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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