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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Zechariah prophesied the Messiah would... -- Zechariah 9:9-10 -- Passion Sunday - B
Zechariah prophesied the Messiah would come like a victorious king, but riding humbly on a donkey.
Someone asked Dr. Albert Schweitzer... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B
Someone asked Dr.
In science classes, we learn... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B
In science classes, we learn many principles of the universe.
I once thought that archaeologists... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B
I once thought that archaeologists were a strange lot.
When I first became a... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B
When I first became a Christian, I wondered why Jesus died on the cross.
Preaching courageously on any of... -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Preaching courageously on any of the Ten Commandments may be hazardous to your health, or at
There is a monument in... -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
There is a monument in the town square not far from the church I am serving which says, "Dedicated t
The Ten Commandments need to... -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
The Ten Commandments need to be seen in a positive light.
To gain fresh input into... -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
To gain fresh input into the commandments, I take the liberty to go to vv. 24-25.
Jurgen Moltmann, a prominent theologian... -- 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Jurgen Moltmann, a prominent theologian at the University of Tubingen, Germany, attracted much atten
I read of a brilliant... -- 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
I read of a brilliant young boy who was an All-American soccer player in Scotland, who graduated wit
A short while ago my... -- 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
A short while ago my wife asked me if I had seen the electrical cord for our coffee maker.
Rabbi Kushner writes in his... -- 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Rabbi Kushner writes in his book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, about his feelings a
One of the leading tourist... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
One of the leading tourist attractions of Italy is the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
During World War II, an... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
During World War II, an American warship in the Pacific was transporting some wounded Japanese priso
Before the Great Fire of... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Before the Great Fire of London in 1666, it is said that the old St.
You know those cards or... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
You know those cards or plaques you can buy with little sayings on them!
In Clariton, Pennsylvania, during the... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
In Clariton, Pennsylvania, during the Pentecost and Advent seasons of 1984, the day-by-day unfolding
On the Niagara River above... -- 2 Chronicles 36:14-23 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
On the Niagara River above the falls is a "point of no return." Signs along the riverbank warn of it
A number of prominent people... -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
A number of prominent people attended a party many years ago in London.
Out of the ashes ... many... -- 2 Chronicles 36:14-23 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Out of the ashes ...
The small church had been... -- 2 Chronicles 36:14-23 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
The small church had been neglected for many years; all but a few of the congregation were dispersed
Rabbi Kushner's runaway bestseller asked... -- 2 Chronicles 36:14-23 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Rabbi Kushner's runaway bestseller asked the searing question, "Why does a good God let bad things h
Just as it often happens... -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Just as it often happens in traveling by airplane, two strangers sitting side by side struck up a co
Let me share with you... -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Let me share with you the parable of the forgetful minister ...

Political Pulpit

Sermon

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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