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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A missionary, speaking at a... -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
A missionary, speaking at a church conference, used the Scripture text which told of the poor widow
A parishioner approached her minister... -- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
A parishioner approached her minister to make an appointment. Rev.
Growing up in south-central... -- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Growing up in south-central Illinois, Mickey discovered that most of his friends read the sports pag
Verse 3 tells us that... -- Daniel 12:1-3 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Verse 3 tells us that the wise shall shine with brightness, even to be "like stars for ever and ever
What do you see when... -- Daniel 12:1-3 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
What do you see when you stargaze?
Three days before Christmas a... -- Hebrews 10:11-18 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Three days before Christmas a certain mother was busy getting ready for the big day.
Salvation has not had a... -- Hebrews 10:11-18 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Salvation has not had a good press for quite a while.
While this Scripture focuses on... -- Hebrews 10:11-18 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
While this Scripture focuses on the efficacy of Christ's priesthood and the inadequacy of a human on
When the young man graduated... -- Hebrews 10:11-18 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
When the young man graduated from law school he determined that he wanted to be of service to others
Dr. E. Stanley Jones tells... -- Hebrews 10:31-39 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dr. E.
The writer of the Letter... -- Hebrews 10:31-39 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews calls upon Christians, in the face of persecution and suffer
It is a dreadful thing... -- Hebrews 10:31-39 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
"It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
A bishop, speaking to a... -- Hebrews 10:31-39 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
A bishop, speaking to a group of seminary students, offered these lessons.
We can become caught up... -- Mark 13:24-32 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
We can become caught up in the vivid imagery and forget what we should know.
I passed by a church... -- Mark 13:24-32 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
I passed by a church the other day.
In the late fall of... -- Mark 13:24-32 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
In the late fall of 1990 as Saddam Hussein seized Kuwait and threatened the economic and political s
Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones... -- Mark 13:1-13 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
"Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" Can we see ourselves in the dis
Even though Jesus said: And... -- Mark 13:1-13 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Even though Jesus said: "And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed ...
One of the most significant... -- Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 -- All Saints Day - B
One of the most significant phrases of the Christian faith is the blood of the Lamb.
Igunza Massambullah was showing me... -- Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 -- All Saints Day - B
Igunza Massambullah was showing me around the family "shamba" in rural, eastern Kenya.
Some of us grew up... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B
Some of us grew up being taught the shortest verse in the Bible is verse 35, "Jesus wept." Jesus was
Dr. Karl Menninger died at... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B
Dr. Karl Menninger died at 1990 at the age of 97.
Jesus hears that Lazarus is... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B
Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill.
Niagara Falls shows us raw... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - B
Niagara Falls shows us raw, unrestrained power.
Meek doesn't mean weak. Perhaps... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - B
Meek doesn't mean weak.

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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