Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The man who taught me... -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
The man who taught me high school science was a runner, a jogger, in the early sixties before it was
In this passage we have... -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
In this passage we have a very early instance of inoculation.
The theme of grace... -- Ephesians 2:4-10 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
The theme of grace pervades Paul's writings.
Karl Menningen, the renowned psychiatrist... -- Ephesians 2:4-10 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Karl Menningen, the renowned psychiatrist, attracted considerable attention with his book Whateve
But God, who is rich... -- Ephesians 2:4-10 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
"But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead
Adults have a hand time... -- Ephesians 2:4-10 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Adults have a hand time accepting gifts.
The word serendipity is derived... -- Genesis 28:10-17 (18-22) -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
The word "serendipity" is derived from an ancient Persian legend about the three Princes of Serendip
While camping out on the... -- Genesis 28:10-17 (18-22) -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
While camping out on the trail, Jacob discovered that his resting place was a sacred place.
Not too long ago we... -- Genesis 28:1-17 (18-22) -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Not too long ago we all lived in a world in which faith, if not life, was regarded absurd.
Jacob was a scoundrel, a... -- Genesis 28:10-17 (18-22) -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Jacob was a scoundrel, a rascal. Yet he was a man capable of deep religious experience.
The words we use are... -- Genesis 28:10-22 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
The words we use are very important.
Why should I? br... -- Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
"Why should I?" "Because I said so!" "That isn't any reason!"
Last winter our newspapers told... -- Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Last winter our newspapers told us of a bizarre tale unfolding in Sioux City, Iowa.
Many of you remember the... -- Romans 4:16-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Many of you remember the popular novel, Barabbas, written at the end of World War II.
A third grade boy came... -- Romans 4:16-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
A third grade boy came home from school one day with something clenched in his hand.
Novelist Christopher Isherwood wrote his... -- Romans 4:16-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Novelist Christopher Isherwood wrote his semi--autobiographical Berlin Stories not long after
We all have times when... -- Romans 4:16-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
We all have times when our life's passage becomes difficult.
A dozen years ago or... -- Romans 4:16-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
A dozen years ago or so the press recounted a tale of terror and rescue on the Great Plains.
The text says, Suffering produces... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
The text says, "Suffering produces." (5:3) When pain happens in a person's life, it is not neutral.
A story is told of... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
A story is told of an older man who visited a home where there were five children.
While we were yet sinners... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Last year one of the... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Last year one of the television networks ran a film version of the (true) story of the United States
When Martin Niemoeller, courageous Lutheran... -- Romans 8:31-34 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
When Martin Niemoeller, courageous Lutheran clergyman who stood up against Adolf Hitler, was asked w
Who ... or what ... can separate... -- Romans 8:31-34 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Who ... or what ... can separate us from the love of God?
Our world is full of... -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Our world is full of illusions. Most people think air fresheners "remove" things from the air.

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

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?

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL