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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Rodney Dangerfield has entertained millions... -- Acts 9:26-31 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Rodney Dangerfield has entertained millions of people and made a very fine living with his humorous
When Paul came to Jerusalem... -- Acts 9:26-31 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
When Paul came to Jerusalem the disciples were afraid of him.
There is a legend in... -- Acts 9:26-31 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
There is a legend in the Greek Church about two saints: Saint Cassianus and Saint Nicholas.
On a clear April morning... -- 1 John 3:18-24 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
On a clear April morning some years ago, an apartment building exploded in Pulaski, Virginia, in a d
We hear a lot about... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
We hear a lot about power today. There is power in numbers. There is power in money.
Once a lady became very... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Once a lady became very distraught with me after I had told her the Gospel of Christ, the free grace
Debra F. Bruce relates an... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Debra F.
One of the students who... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
One of the students who was active in the campus ministry student group at Whitewater, Wisconsin, in
Years ago I bought a... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Years ago I bought a large quantity of hardware from a man's basement for seventy-five dollars.
If you take a pig... -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
If you take a pig from his mud-wallow in the farm yard, wash him, sprinkle on a little perfume, tie
In the original stage version... -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
In the original stage version of "Godspell," the Gospel spirit of love is beautifully conveyed.
The common expression is, Like... -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
The common expression is, "Like father, like son." When I am giving a children's sermon in church, I
A little boy was helping... -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
A little boy was helping his mother make gingerbread men.
You don't have to feel... -- John 2:1-5 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
You don't have to "feel like" loving somebody to love them; otherwise, as Paul Tillich once reminded
As his mother tucked him... -- John 2:1-5 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
As his mother tucked him into bed one night, the boy snuggled beneath the covers said, "Mom, would y
Luke's version of the Great... -- Luke 24:35-49 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Luke's version of the Great Commission sends the disciples "to all nations" as "witnesses." If there
People show up in surprising... -- Luke 24:35-49 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
People show up in surprising situations.
Luke writes, ... and that repentance... -- Luke 24:35-49 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Luke writes, "...
If you slide an empty... -- Luke 24:35-49 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
If you slide an empty floppy disc into your home computer and call up its information to the screen,
Some preachers say, I do... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Some preachers say, "I do not talk about healing because I do not want to create false hopes." My fr
In her autobiography, On... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
In her autobiography, On Reflection, Helen Hayes speaks about the necessity of faith.
Recently we had occasion to... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Recently we had occasion to visit a company which makes equipment for the paper and pulp industry.
Have you ever wondered how... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Have you ever wondered how David Copperfield does his magic tricks?
Sam Levenson relates some of... -- Acts 4:23-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Sam Levenson relates some of his early family experiences in his book, Everything But Money.
Most of us have heard... -- Acts 4:23-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Most of us have heard of the pogroms in Russia - Jews would be attacked in their homes, especially a

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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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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