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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Let's keep religion out of... -- Zechariah 7:1-10 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
"Let's keep religion out of politics and off the streets," the council member told his pastor.
But enough is enough. One... -- Zechariah 7:1-10 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
"But enough is enough. One turns at last even from glory itself with a sigh of relief.
Why should I go to... -- Zechariah 7:1-10 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
"Why should I go to church?"
This test is bringing us... -- Malachi 4:1-2a -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
This test is bringing us close to Advent and then the glories of Christmas.
Surely the Day is Coming... -- Malachi 4:1-2a -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Surely the Day is ComingWords of hope for those who suffer
Leslie Weatherhead, the former pastor... -- Malachi 4:1-2a -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Leslie Weatherhead, the former pastor of City Temple in London, once said:
The idea of The Day... -- Malachi 4:1-2a -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
The idea of "The Day of the Lord" has stretched the poetic and musical expression of many in attempt
Several animals, such as crabs... -- 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Several animals, such as crabs, oysters, lizards, earthworms, and starfish are able to regrow amputa
Magician, Doug Henning, says that... -- Exodus 3:1-6 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Magician, Doug Henning, says that the basic goal of his performances is to create wonder!
Fear paralyzes and binds a... -- Romans 8:12-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Fear paralyzes and binds a person; love liberates and frees a person.
We live in the midst... -- Romans 8:12-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
We live in the midst of a very mechanically-minded world.
It would be great to... -- Romans 8:12-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
It would be great to say I owe no one and no one owes me. But, life isn't like that.
Phillips Brooks possessed the gift... -- Romans 8:12-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Phillips Brooks possessed the gift of putting things in proper perspective.
Nicodemus came to Jesus at... -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.
In this remarkable conversation of... -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
In this remarkable conversation of Jesus with Nicodemus, one truth comes through as crystal clear: w
To walk in the dark... -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
To walk in the dark is always dangerous.
A man from Portland, Oregon... -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
A man from Portland, Oregon, tried an old-fashioned way to woo his lady.
The commandment of Jesus to... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
The commandment of Jesus to the disciples was, "Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my
When I was a young... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
When I was a young seminarian, I heard a professor of Far Eastern religions make the following state
The church has always regarded... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
The church has always regarded as members those who have been validly baptized with water in the nam
The Word remains. This is... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
"The Word remains. This is the great comfort of one who preaches.
There is a distinction made... -- Haggai 2:1-9 -- All Saints Day - A
There is a distinction made in building and in art between restoration and renovation.
Evidently Zerubbabel and his associates... -- Haggai 2:1-9 -- All Saints Day - A
Evidently Zerubbabel and his associates were intimidated by the challenge of rebuilding the Temple,
Joshua had been promised a... -- Haggai 2:1-9 -- All Saints Day - A
Joshua had been promised a bicycle for his eighth birthday.
When Haggai spoke (520 B.C... -- Haggai 2:1-9 -- All Saints Day - A
When Haggai spoke (520 B.C.), the people had returned from exile and had lived in Jerusalem f

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 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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
George Reed
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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