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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The Christ hymn attends the... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2003
The Christ hymn attends the servant leadership of Jesus.
The word salvation comes from... -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
The word salvation comes from a Latin word that means "to be well, to be in good health." The name f
The eunuch wanted to be... -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
The eunuch wanted to be baptized. He desired that his life be bonded with Jesus in this sacred act.
Caesarea was located on the... -- Acts 10:44-48 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Caesarea was located on the Mediterranean coast.
Gath and Ashkelon were two... -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2003
Gath and Ashkelon were two of the five principle cities in the Philistine territory along the Medite
Magic supports the plots of... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Magic supports the plots of such cable-favorite programs as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed.
One of the marks of... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2003
One of the marks of a great leader is the ability to delegate.
Philistines were the Klingons of... -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2003
Philistines were the Klingons of the Old Testament.
What language shall I borrow... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2003
"What language shall I borrow?" That is the question asked by the hymn from another church season.
We must always be on... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2003
We must always be on guard against immorality; even a small bit can ruin our spirits.
The days before big events... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2003
The days before big events can be like living in a whirlwind.
Sometimes we want to go... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2003
Sometimes we want to go ahead; we want to do it now. Why wait? Why put it off?
Every summer, our church conducts... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- 2003
Every summer, our church conducts a two-week Bible camp for kids in our area.
Training camp is one of... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2003
Training camp is one of the most grueling times in an athlete's life.
There are few feelings as... -- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2003
There are few feelings as bad as realizing your dog has run away.
Oliver Wendell Holmes once wrote... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2003
Oliver Wendell Holmes once wrote, "To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind
In an increasingly shrinking world... -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2003
In an increasingly shrinking world, the plethora of world religions is staggering.
Paul writes to the Ephesians... -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
Paul writes to the Ephesians that "in the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedienc
In this passage, Peter alludes... -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
In this passage, Peter alludes to the saving power of water.
Everyone likes a story in... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2003
Everyone likes a story in which people change places.
In this text the concept... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
In this text the concept of God's irrational love for fallen humanity expressed in Christ is not und
Thomas Fleming, well-known author... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
Thomas Fleming, well-known author and historian, knows what it is to believe and hope, even when the
In the summer of 2002... -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
In the summer of 2002, Pope John Paul II came to Canada for World Youth Day.
Barak Bassman had a difficult... -- 1 John 1:1-2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
Barak Bassman had a difficult childhood.
My oldest nephew Andrew is... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B -- 2003
My oldest nephew Andrew is a quick-witted little boy.

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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