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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

I heard of a curious... -- John 6:60-69 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
I heard of a curious will in which the mother left to her son primarily good advice and counsel.
I stand by the beds... -- John 6:60-69 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
I stand by the beds of my two sleeping children. Melanie is seven years old and John is nine.
Have you ever heard a... -- John 6:55-69 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Have you ever heard a black person or a Polish person or a Swedish person tell a joke on themselves?
The disciples did not respond... -- John 6:55-69 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
The disciples did not respond well to hard words from Jesus, and neither do we.
The time came for even... -- 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
The time came for even the great King David to "go the way of all the earth" and die.
I spent several years in... -- 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
I spent several years in graduate school studying with a man who became another father to me.
Reading this scripture, I wondered... -- 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Reading this scripture, I wondered what fathers are teaching their sons these days: prepare for a po
I am about to go... -- 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
"I am about to go the way of all the earth."-- King David (1 Kings 2:2)
If you have done much... -- Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
If you have done much traveling by car, you have come upon road signs that are clustered together on
A Sunday school teacher has... -- Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
A Sunday school teacher has kept a list of some mistaken ideas about religion her class has had over
Among the final things that... -- Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Among the final things that Moses said to his people was to urge them, strictly, to give heed to the
Admiral George W. Anderson, chief... -- Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Admiral George W.
A recent news story told... -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
A recent news story told of the death of a youngster who had spent his life confined in a room-sized
God is looking for people... -- Proverbs 9:16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
God is looking for people who are just smart enough to know that they're not as smart as he is.
Medical books speak of physical... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Medical books speak of physical therapy for broken bones.
Paul admonishes us to be... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Paul admonishes us to be wise and to make the most of the time, since the days are evil.
Sometimes it's the old... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Sometimes it's the old hymn that says it best. I grew up listening to my grandf
You are what you eat... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
"You are what you eat," is a phrase that one hears from time to time.
Jesus uses strong language to... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Jesus uses strong language to tell about "living bread." We always need strong language to jolt us o
Have you ever tried to... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Have you ever tried to explain a joke?
Jesus asks his followers to... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Jesus asks his followers to incorporate him completely into their lives.
One little guy, really too... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
One little guy, really too young for our junior choir, proudly gave his parents a preview of what th
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross has become... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross has become famous through her dedicated work to help the terminally ill face d
In recent years, the church... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
In recent years, the church has been called to accountability.
A person's last words frequently... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
A person's last words frequently provide a fitting epilogue of that person's life.

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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