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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

As Israel would thrive as... -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
As Israel would thrive as a nation, King David remains mindful that this was with a price
In order for people to... -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
In order for people to give, there must be people to receive. Being the "giver" is often
Paul quotes Exodus 16 when... -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Paul quotes Exodus 16 when conducting his stewardship campaign: the one who had
Old Faith Church is a... -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Old Faith Church is a struggling congregation in a transitional neighborhood. Many of
Paul's topic here is stewardship... -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Paul's topic here is stewardship. He is encouraging the Corinthians to give generously to
The movie star, Marilyn Monroe... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
The movie star, Marilyn Monroe, had a troubled upbringing, living in several different
Jason McAlwain, a senior in... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Jason McAlwain, a senior in high school and the team manager, was permitted to dress
Bert moped around feeling depressed... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Bert moped around feeling depressed. He wasn't sure why he felt the way he did but he
For Mark the evangelist, the... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
For Mark the evangelist, the outsiders of the faith know exactly who Jesus is, while the
Melinda was fortunate enough to... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
Melinda was fortunate enough to get accepted into an Ivy League University. The rest of
The church in southern Ohio... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
The church in southern Ohio had undergone four years of trouble. Two pastors came and
There is a Zulu story... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
There is a Zulu story that goes something like this: Soon after creation, when it had
Shepherding in open country is... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
Shepherding in open country is hard work. The shepherd is always on duty, and can
A little fish once overheard... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
A little fish once overheard some grown-up fish talking about the importance of water.
Once in a while you... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
Once in a while you read of the remarkable gifts that one man has and uses in his life.
God uses our weakness to... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
God uses our weakness to reflect his power and witness. As a boy, I recall watching
As a seminary graduate, Dave... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
As a seminary graduate, Dave was interviewed at a local congregation near where he was raised as a b
In the aftermath of the... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
In the aftermath of the tsunami late in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many people around the w
Jerry is a traveling salesman... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
Jerry is a traveling salesman.
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh announced... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh announced he was going to try to fly across the Atlantic Ocean by airplan
Blaise Pascal was an influential... -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Blaise Pascal was an influential French mathematician and scientist of the seventeenth
Several years ago, Coach John... -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Several years ago, Coach John Gruden was brought from Oakland to Tampa Bay to do
Every summer in south central... -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Every summer in south central Pennsylvania, Creation Festival, which draws tens of
In this text, the Ark... -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
In this text, the Ark of God was a religious symbol that was more than for show or
The graduation commencement ceremony was... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
The graduation commencement ceremony was a glorious time for a certain midwest

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
Jeremiah 18:1-11
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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