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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

There is a gap between... -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
There is a gap between the sinfulness of humanity and the perfection of God.
There is more integrity in... -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
There is more integrity in the generous gift of a poor person than in the token contribution of some
You may have heard the... -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
You may have heard the story about the farmer who wanted a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs.
Corrupt religious practices continue to... -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Corrupt religious practices continue to be a challenge.
Vince Lombardi in Run... -- Hebrews 12:1-7 (8-10) 11-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Vince Lombardi in Run To Daylight wrote a chapter on running backs that contains a lesson on
Barry Curran (story from I... -- Ezekiel 33:1-11 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Barry Curran (story from ID Illustration Digest, May, June, July 1990, page 1) hurried to wor
Sentry duty is not popular... -- Ezekiel 33:1-11 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Sentry duty is not popular or pleasant.
Who are the warning people... -- Ezekiel 33:1-11 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Who are the "warning people?" Some are described as alarmists.
In his play An... -- Ezekiel 33:1-11 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
In his play An Inspector Calls, J. B.
The ways of God are... -- Wisdom 9:13-18 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
The ways of God are beyond our knowledge; we cannot understand many things in life, but we have the
The baby eagle is totally... -- Wisdom 9:13-18 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
The baby eagle is totally dependant on its mother.
Herman Melville says in his... -- Wisdom 9:13-18 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Herman Melville says in his introduction to Moby Dick, that a great book requires a great the
T. E. Lawrence, better known... -- Wisdom 9:13-18 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
T. E.
Choices. Sometimes it is easy... -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
"Choices." Sometimes it is easy to make a choice. At other times it is difficult to make a choice.
Life would be simpler if... -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Life would be simpler if someone drew the line for us in as clear cut a manner as this: choose life
This scripture reminds us that... -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
This scripture reminds us that each day God puts before us the choice between life and death.
The bathroom remodeling project was... -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
The bathroom remodeling project was the latest in a long line of projects to improve the storage and
Some years ago I worked... -- Philemon 1-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Some years ago I worked in an office situation with a woman who was extremely forceful and aggressiv
Everybody wants some claim to... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Everybody wants some claim to fame.
When performing a motor skill... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
When performing a motor skill, like thrashing grain in the barn, what is more important to the task:
Boaz and Ruth would have... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Boaz and Ruth would have liked Marion McQuade.
Imagine overhearing this conversation:br... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Imagine overhearing this conversation:
It was an unnecessary sacrifice... -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
It was an unnecessary sacrifice.
Johannes Vermeer, in 1663-64 A.D... -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Johannes Vermeer, in 1663-64 A.D., painted Woman With a Balance.
John and Sarah had been... -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- First Sunday in Lent - B
John and Sarah had been married for over 25 years.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For September 7, 2025:

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him…. (vv. 28-29)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A pair of heavy gloves you might use to protect your hands when you are working or gardening.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But I need to warn you that this story can be really tough to understand, so let’s see if we can figure it out.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that we must be utterly committed to him, even to facing danger and pain, if we want to follow him. In our worship today, let us ask him for help in this formidable task.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are scared to stand up for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we love other things more than you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we are more concerned with our own image than with you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
-- Psalm 139:1-2

Schuyler Rhodes
It would be an easy thing to read through this psalm and nod in assent before moving on to the next. It all seems pretty obvious. "Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread...." It is tantamount to what the young people refer to as a "no-brainer." Much of this bad advice could be avoided by turning off our televisions. And the sinner's well-worn walkways? They too seem fairly apparent. Yet somehow they continue to be well worn.
Paul E. Robinson
Another world, another day, another time. The bright sun cast its long dark shadows along streets filled with carts and animals, never once falling on automobile, trolley or McDonald's litter in the gutter.
Lee Ann Dunlap
What would you do if you opened your mailbox one day to find a letter from the city or county announcing that you have to move? That land your grandparents worked so hard to till, or for which you struggled so long to purchase is deemed the best land available for a new shopping mall. The appraisers will soon be checking out your home to determine its fair market value and you are expected to vacate.
Rick McCracken-Bennett
I remember as I was growing up, before gas became more precious than gold, that our family would go on buggy rides, as we called them, on Sunday afternoons after church and dinner. It was a great time for the entire family to be together, to wander back roads aimlessly, and to talk about just about anything you could imagine.
Gary L. Carver
The old man is about to retire for the evening. Closely he clutches a collection of correspondence as he replaces the worn letter he had read back into the bundle. It is the most treasured possession that he owns. As he hits his knees, he shakes his head in wonder and amazement at what God had done in his life. Only God could have taken him from where once he was to where he is now. And his prayer is one of gratitude.

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