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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Jesus didn't appear to be... -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
Jesus didn't appear to be a giant among men, except to those who truly knew him.
Some traffic signs warn: Merging... -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
Some traffic signs warn: "Merging Traffic." Engineers have observed the waste of time and fuel in ha
Vince Wogman of Chehalis, Washington... -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
Vince Wogman of Chehalis, Washington, wrote Dear Abby on December 23, 1996, to tell how he handled a
Bill Russell, center for the... -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
Bill Russell, center for the NBA Boston Celtics from 1956-1969, has been recognized by Sports Ill
The wedding went off without... -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
The wedding went off without a hitch. The man and the woman became husband and wife.
A capable wife who can... -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
A capable wife who can find?
There were some great wives... -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
There were some great wives in the Bible.
She was every bit a... -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
She was every bit a mother, though she had no children.
Jesus says to find our... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2003
Jesus says to find our lives we must be willing to lose them.
In the Australian film I... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2003
In the Australian film Merry Christmas, Mr.
When Jesus is our leader... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2003
When Jesus is our leader, we will deny ourselves on his behalf.
One pastor tells of attending... -- James 3:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2003
One pastor tells of attending a local St. Patrick's Day dance at the fire hall.
Have you ever had the... -- James 3:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2003
Have you ever had the fun and challenge of taking your dog through obedience training?
Turn right at the next... -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2003
"Turn right at the next junction." Shirley had been glancing up at the landscape and then down at th
Once a week my wife... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
Once a week my wife and I visit the Alzheimer unit in the retirement village where we live.
Amputation has been the signature... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
Amputation has been the signature atrocity of Sierra Leone's civil war, which went on for 11 years a
Like blind Bartimaeus, Martin Luther... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
Like blind Bartimaeus, Martin Luther King, Jr., was not content simply to sit and be quiet and wait
One of the quirks of... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
One of the quirks of history is that Louis Pasteur never liked beer.
Mrs. Smith was stark naked... -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
Mrs. Smith was stark naked and just about to step into the shower when the doorbell rang.
In the first century A.D... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
In the first century A.D. there were religious people called the Gnostics.
When nine coal miners were... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
When nine coal miners were trapped in Quecreek mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, for some 72 ho
In the civil rights movement... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
In the civil rights movement of the 1960s, one of the key strategies of empowerment for southern Afr
If Job were to be... -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
If Job were to be made into a musical, perhaps the band 16 Horsepower might get the gig.
When all was said and... -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
When all was said and done for Job, how would he assess his life? Fortunate or unfortunate?
The questions of Job are... -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2003
The questions of Job are finally resolved through humility.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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
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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