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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Like a bright neon sign... -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Like a bright neon sign might point the way to a destination, Peter saw this act of healing as a sig
Picture your schoolroom! Besides the... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Picture your schoolroom!
David invites nature into his... -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2003
David invites nature into his grief over the death of Saul and Jonathan.
By the time of the... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2003
By the time of the Gutenberg Press in the fifteenth century, the Bible, at least in some of its part
M. Robert Mulholland, Jr., in... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2003
M.
In his book Russell Rules... -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2003
In his book Russell Rules, Bill Russell, renowned center of the champion Boston Celtics, writes, "Su
In this passage Paul reflects... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2003
In this passage Paul reflects on the implications of affiliation with the community of faith.
Tony Razzano knows how to... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2003
Tony Razzano knows how to sell cars.
Saint Anselm of Canterbury once... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2003
Saint Anselm of Canterbury once described himself as someone with faith seeking understanding.
The passage celebrates the incredible... -- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2003
The passage celebrates the incredible love and commitment of God to humanity and the sacrificial "Ye
Ephesians begins with God's redemptive... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- 2003
Ephesians begins with God's redemptive plan for humanity.
In training for the Tour... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2003
In training for the Tour de France, the world's most challenging sporting event, Lance Armstrong goe
As part of a recent... -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2003
As part of a recent mission trip, I accompanied a group of high school students to a community garde
The text reminds of the... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2003
The text reminds of the requirement that one deliver the message to the recipient, not require the i
God's free grace unleashes new... -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
God's free grace unleashes new possibilities in the lives of grateful people.
As Peter speaks of the... -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
As Peter speaks of the all-sufficiency of Christ, he considers the incredible efficacy of such a sac
When I was growing up... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2003
When I was growing up, I was very proud to be a member of "The Clean Plate Club." I'm sure my mother
Make no mistake about it... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
Make no mistake about it, there is money to be made in religion.
The Flying Wallendas have been... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
The Flying Wallendas have been one of the world's most amazing aerialist acts.
John Spencer recently won an... -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
John Spencer recently won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Leo McGarry, the chief o
The text talks about the... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
The text talks about the relationship of the beloved as children of light.
One of the most fascinating... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Good Friday - B -- 2003
One of the most fascinating achievements of the United States Government has been the establishment
Paul attests to his apostolic... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B -- 2003
Paul attests to his apostolic authority and the integrity of his witness to Christ.
Following a service at our... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2003
Following a service at our church just before Christmas I saw one of our junior highs staring into t
Stealth aircraft operate on the... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2003
Stealth aircraft operate on the principle of failing to reflect radar emissions.

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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