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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Andrew Newberg, a professor of... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- 2003
Andrew Newberg, a professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania, has teamed with psychiat
Floyd Nichols of Chicago was... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2003
Floyd Nichols of Chicago was diagnosed with a rare form of colon cancer when he was only 19.
In the mid-20th century... -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2003
In the mid-20th century, Edgar A. Guest was a well-known verse-writer.
The image of Jesus rising... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2003
The image of Jesus rising in the morning and going alone to pray is inspiring.
Wisecracking vegetables in the number... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2003
Wisecracking vegetables in the number-one-selling children's video in America, Veggie Tales, are rei
There once was a Man... -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
There once was a Man who spoke a word, a very special word from God.
Some ladies in the church... -- Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
Some ladies in the church undertook the project of making little baptism cushions, three inches squa
I serve in a great... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
I serve in a great church.
Executives who travel a lot... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2003
Executives who travel a lot and want to cheat on a spouse, but can't find a convention to attend so
The text of the old... -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
The text of the old hymn, "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken," by Henry F.
When I was a boy... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
When I was a boy on the farm, we didn't have many books or magazines to read.
After 105 days as captive... -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
After 105 days as captive of the FARC (Armed Revolutionary Forces of Columbia) in the Andes Mountain
They were making one of... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2003
They were making one of those historical movies, dramatizing the Roman era when Christians were thro
In the unforgettable musical, Man... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - B -- 2003
In the unforgettable musical, Man of La Mancha, we meet Aldonza, a waitress by day and a harlot by n
Here is a good place... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2003
Here is a good place to observe that the "Maundy" in the title of this day is from the Middle Englis
In Fergus, Ontario, you can... -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2003
In Fergus, Ontario, you can visit the St.
It doesn't get any better... -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2003
"It doesn't get any better than this!" Remember that ad on television a few years ago?
We know we ought to... -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
We know we ought to love one another, and this includes loving our neighbor as ourself.
Our faith is the victory... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Those with privilege have a... -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Those with privilege have a responsibility to those without it.
Plenty ... abundance ... that our fruits... -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2003
Plenty ... abundance ... "that our fruits may abound!"
The human eye is like... -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
The human eye is like a built-in camera.
Paul validates his ministry by... -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2003
Paul validates his ministry by what he has endured for the sake of the Gospel.
Two men were exploring an... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2003
Two men were exploring an old mine when they became lost.
They were walking out of... -- Romans 8:12-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2003
They were walking out of the courtroom after the adoption papers were signed.

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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