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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

When the writer to... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
When the writer to the Hebrews encourages getting together and exhorting one another, he is re
In June 1919, Germany... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
In June 1919, Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles formally ending World War I.
Remember the Ten Boom... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
Remember the Ten Boom family in the Netherlands who secretly hid Jews in their home during Wor
Prevenient grace is the... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
Prevenient grace is the understanding that in our relationship with God, God comes to us befor
Nobody could believe it... -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
Nobody could believe it when Jesus predicted the solid structure of the Jerusalem Temple, down
In the year 1648... -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
In the year 1648, Sabbetai Zevi shocked the Jewish world by speaking God's name YHWH, as writt
The movie Catch... -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
The movie Catch Me If You Can tells the story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., a brash, intellig
Excessive confidence in humanity's... -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
Excessive confidence in humanity's creations has always posed a theological challenge.
The last words of... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2003
The last words of David reflect his confidence that his efforts in the realm of governing the
Martin Luther, sixteenth century... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2003
Martin Luther, sixteenth century reformer, makes this comment on the ruling authorities: "Next
It is with a... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2003
It is with a strong sense of "an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure," that
The most important decision... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2003
The most important decision David made in ruling over the people of Israel was to rule "in the
Japan is the land... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2003
Japan is "the land of the rising sun." Its flag is a bright red sun on a pure white background
Every year, right after... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2003
Every year, right after Thanksgiving, television stations across the country start running the
Every town has its... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2003
Every town has its claim to fame.
The trail had taken... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
The trail had taken a sharp drop into a very thick, dark patch of woods.
In the 1959 film... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
In the 1959 film epic Ben Hur, Director William Wyler told the story of Judah Ben Hur.
Slajov Zizek, 54, is... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Slajov Zizek, 54, is an anti-Christian Marxist philosopher from Slovenia, a former Yugoslav re
The substitute teacher was... -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
The substitute teacher was glaring at the class.
There's a story about... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
There's a story about Fiorello LaGuardia, who was mayor of New York City during the bleakest d
God saw potential in... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
God saw potential in Mary when few others would have.
Henri Nouwen, in his... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Henri Nouwen, in his book A Spirituality of Waiting: Being Alert to the Lord's Presence in
Any expectant mother will... -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Any expectant mother will tell you that when she feels her unborn baby kick, it is a definite
Laser surgery is a... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Laser surgery is a remarkable development in eye care.
This passage layers epithets... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
This passage layers epithets of praise.

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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