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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Aldous Huxley, British novelist... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Aldous Huxley, British novelist, essayist, and critic, in a little article titled, "New-Fashio
From the day Tyler... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
From the day Tyler was born, "Pap" has referred to him as "The World's Greatest Grandson." And
I was standing behind... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
"I was standing behind an altar in a small crypt chapel of the Church of the Annunication in N
Late in his career... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Late in his career, the British actor, A. E.
In our health-conscious... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
In our health-conscious society, more and more people are concerned about purity, especially i
Military boot camp is... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Military boot camp is demanding.
Just like today, in... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2003
Just like today, in biblical times, decrees of various types were written down for the record.
Movie makers are growing... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2003
Movie makers are growing in their boldness to depict God in frail human terms, often featuring
When my wife and... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2003
When my wife and I reminisce with our grown children, they often tell us about the things they
There are many reasons... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
There are many reasons why God shouldn't have called you. But don't worry.
The boy Samuel served... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
The boy Samuel served a faithful apprenticeship at the shrine at Shiloh, without seeking perso
Part of the thrill... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Part of the thrill of competing in team sports is the honor of wearing the uniform.
Every mother or grandmother... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Every mother or grandmother who sews probably can tell a story of sewing a garment for a child
The greatest immigration of Irish... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
The greatest immigration of Irish folks to America was due to the death of the potato in Ireland.
The raising of Lazarus is... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
The raising of Lazarus is a text interested in the issue of Jesus' authenticity.
Mary and Martha loved their... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
Mary and Martha loved their brother, Lazarus, and mourned him deeply but some so-called relatives ca
My grandfather was a stoical... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
My grandfather was a stoical man; he showed very little emotion.
On a late summer afternoon... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
On a late summer afternoon, Pastor Rick found himself sitting around the kitchen table with Helen an
Houses vary in size... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Houses vary in size.
There is a carnival... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
There is a carnival atmosphere to the celebration of the new creation.
It was all her... -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
It was all her fault.
In his book, I... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
In his book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Robert Fulghum tells
Paul admonishes his readers... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Paul admonishes his readers always to be gentle with others.
In his play I... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
In his play Dancing at Lughnasa, Brian Friel tells the story of five unmarried sisters
Catherine Marshall, in I... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Catherine Marshall, in Stories for the Heart, tells the parable of the king who offered

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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
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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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