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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

God loves me just... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
"God loves me just the way I am," Allen said with a tinge of doubt.
The message to each... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
The message to each group mentioned in the text is particular to the temptations with which th
The judge in Washington... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
The judge in Washington, D.C., noticed the change in the 15-year-old before him.
Growing up in a... -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Growing up in a home where both of my parents were ordained clergy in the Salvation Army, I wa
The year is 1941... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2003
The year is 1941, and Hitler's armies are on the march.
The prime minister of... -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2003
The prime minister of Australia, Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, was running for re-election when,
Charles Schulz, the recently... -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
Charles Schulz, the recently deceased creator of the comic strip Peanuts and recipient
On October 18, 2002... -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
On October 18, 2002, Jake Porter, 17, scored a touchdown in a game between McDermott (Ohio) No
Our friends moved recently... -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
Our friends moved recently to a retirement village.
Christian writer Tony Campolo tells... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Christian writer Tony Campolo tells the story of a man who used to make his wife miserable.
The French painter, Henri Matisse... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
The French painter, Henri Matisse, sometimes created art that left his admirers scratching their hea
There's a story about a... -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
There's a story about a group of women who were studying Malachi 3.
Niagara Falls is a most... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Niagara Falls is a most popular and beautiful spot to visit.
Few things are as powerful... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Few things are as powerful as the power of recollection.
Reluctantly the young man went... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Reluctantly the young man went to the worship service. Jim was all alone in a new town.
Many will remember the adages... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Many will remember the adages from Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac: "Haste makes w
Bible scholar and preacher Eugene... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Bible scholar and preacher Eugene Peterson tells of a time when he experienced wonder at the birth o
Those who encountered John the... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Those who encountered John the Baptist must have been astonished by his costume.
Each year, the government of... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Each year, the government of Australia sets aside one day as a National Day of Forgiveness.
One wonders if the work... -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
One wonders if the work of a leveler is always fraught with danger.
I'll drink to that -- an... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
"I'll drink to that" -- an expression often said when someone utters a pleasing or truthful statemen
On May 18, 1980, at... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
On May 18, 1980, at 8:32 a.m. on a Sunday morning, Mount St. Helens became a mountain of death.
Not all mountains are for... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
Not all mountains are for all people. Mount Everest certainly isn't.
Nations take pride in their... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
Nations take pride in their mountains.
Weight Watchers is a proven... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
Weight Watchers is a proven program of losing weight through moderate and selective eating.

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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