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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A child's perspective always creates... -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
A child's perspective always creates new possibilities for seeing and understanding.
Whoever does not receive the... -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child cannot enter it.
Our church has just finished... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
Our church has just finished a new building program, virtually doubling the size of our facility.
Among the phenomenal developments of... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
Among the phenomenal developments of the telephone, we can add all sorts of things like call waiting
Jesus has been the subject... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
Jesus has been the subject of about a 100 films. Some portray him with reverence.
On the eve of the... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
On the eve of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams, one of our nation's foundi
One way to try to... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
One way to try to imagine what Job was experiencing with his "loathsome sores" is to consider a pers
In the not-too-distant... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
In the not-too-distant future, when robots are developed into near-human mechanical servants, there
Berish is one of the... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
Berish is one of the characters in The Trial of God, a play by Elie Wiesel.
The Trial of God... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
The Trial of God, by Elie Wiesel, is set in 1649 after a pogrom against the Jews in a village
The wonderful children's musical, I... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
The wonderful children's musical, The Wizard of Oz, has captivated its audiences for well ove
The text says that Jesus... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
The text says that Jesus looked up to heaven, gave a deep groan, and said, "Open up," to this deaf m
If you want something... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
If you want something badly enough, and you know it's the right thing for you, then persist un
One of my favorite playground... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
One of my favorite playground toys as a child was the seesaw.
Our friends moved recently to... -- James 2:2-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
Our friends moved recently to a retirement village.
Charles Schulz, the recently deceased... -- 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 of the
On October 18, 2002, Jake... -- 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) Northwes
The Bible gives direct instruction... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
The Bible gives direct instruction to us on how to treat other people, especially the poor.
When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, they sowed a rigid conformity of lifestyle that did not honor wo
Throughout her long life of... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
Throughout her long life of service, Mother Teresa minimized her own needs through her vows of pover
Do you have a good... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
Do you have a good name? What does your name mean?
Jesus loves me, this I... -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2002
"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
To have the Spirit intercede... -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2002
To have the Spirit intercede for us when prayer becomes difficult or impossible is not altogether un
Thomas Aquinas was one of... -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2002
Thomas Aquinas was one of the greatest theologians in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.
In his book, Disciple, Juan... -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2002
In his book, Disciple, Juan Carlos Ortiz describes the cost of becoming a Christian.

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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