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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In the Orient, Zen masters... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1997
In the Orient, Zen masters use koans to convey truth to the student.
I think I have everything... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1997
"I think I have everything. Do you have everything? Alice asked her husband.
Have you ever been confused... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1997
Have you ever been confused by communication?
Is America heaven on earth... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- New Year's Day - B -- 1997
Is America heaven on earth?
Don`t be afraid. I... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1997
"Don`t be afraid. I`ll catch you.
A lot of history books... -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1997
A lot of history books have been written on a variety of interesting subjects.
During my university days I... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1997
During my university days I recall a conversation I had with a fellow student who used to ride the s
Night fell upon them like... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1997
Night fell upon them like a soft, thick velvet veil. Sgt.
The kids in the neighborhood... -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1997
The kids in the neighborhood decided to play team tag. Two sides were selected.
Love and forgiveness are beautiful... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 1997
Love and forgiveness are beautiful ideas, until someone wounds us deeply.
The author of Hebrews asserts... -- Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) -- 1997
The author of Hebrews asserts that Jesus is "the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of
In our age, much of... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- 1997
In our age, much of the language of scripture is devoid of meaning. Redemption is a case in point.
The death of Christ on... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
The death of Christ on a cross can become either a stumbling block or a bridge in one's faith.
Paul unashamedly voices his love... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
Paul unashamedly voices his love of other Christians.
Here's an interesting question to... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
Here's an interesting question to ask a worship committee: "What one feeling or emotion would you wa
In recent years, clergy burnout... -- Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1997
In recent years, clergy burnout has been a key issue in effective pastoral leadership.
A pastor tells of attending... -- Ezekiel 2:8-3:11 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1997
A pastor tells of attending, some years ago, a seminar in Basel, Switzerland, conducted by the famou
I never thought about it... -- Isaiah 35:4-7a -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1997
I never thought about it before until I read about it, but being able to read Braille means that one
The tongue can stain the... -- James 3:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1997
The tongue can stain the whole body according to James 3:6. Our mouths can bless or curse.
I heard Norman Vincent Peale... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1997
I heard Norman Vincent Peale tell about a man who came to him for counseling. Dr.
W. E. Sangster has told... -- Isaiah 53:4-12 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1997
W. E.
The prophet instructed the people... -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1997
The prophet instructed the people that they were to "hate evil and love good." What kind of evil do
The biblical understanding is that... -- Genesis 2:18-24 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1997
The biblical understanding is that men and women are two halves of one being. Adam was alone.
Timothy has an urgent message... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1997
Timothy has an urgent message for "everyone"; for "all" people in the first seven verses of chapter
George Gallup, the founder of... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 1997
George Gallup, the founder of the American Institute of Public Opinion, conducted one of his famous

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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