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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A Russian soldier fell into... -- Romans 7:15-25a -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2002
A Russian soldier fell into gambling debt.
The Apostle Paul isn't the... -- Romans 7:15-25a -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2002
The Apostle Paul isn't the only one who had difficulty matching his beliefs with his actions.
It seemed everything Julie did... -- Romans 7:15-25a -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2002
It seemed everything Julie did turned out wrong.
A castaway, marooned on a... -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2002
A castaway, marooned on a desert island, awoke one morning to see a ship in the bay and a boat putti
Anne suffers with migraine headaches... -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2002
Anne suffers with migraine headaches that started when she was a teenager.
I knew a man who... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2002
I knew a man who was having a serious relationship problem.
The director of Christian education... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2002
The director of Christian education in a 5,000-member church makes an appeal for Sunday school teach
A seminary student received his... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2002
A seminary student received his assignment for a faculty sermon, the date it was to be preached befo
When we are transformed, we... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2002
When we are transformed, we begin to see everything differently.
The pastor closed the door... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2002
The pastor closed the door quietly after he counseled the couple.
People take control all the... -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2002
People take control all the time. At the most basic level, babies do it.
A friend had tried all... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2002
A friend had tried all morning to phone her insurance company to report a claim.
A pastor's wife once asked... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2002
A pastor's wife once asked me, "Do you know the difference between kindness and loving-kindness?" We
Sometimes we hear, but we... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2002
Sometimes we "hear," but we don't "listen." We are rather like Jed Harris, the U.S.
All night she had taken... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2002
All night she had taken turns nursing the sick and praying for their wholeness, for Saint Theresa of
An old Andy Griffith episode... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2002
An old Andy Griffith episode has a young family renting a house from an elderly, rich landlord.
Jesus told the Canaanite woman... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2002
Jesus told the Canaanite woman she had great faith.
In the wake of the... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2002
In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of reactions.
We wanted to engage in... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
We wanted to engage in a special mission overseas, and an invitation came from the International Pr
Sometimes the truth is communicated... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
Sometimes the truth is communicated less with syllables and more with energy, persuasion, and convic
An old Hasidic story tells... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
An old Hasidic story tells of an old man who was living in a temple, and the demons came to say to h
A small town got a... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
A small town got a new minister.
Michael is the main character... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
Michael is the main character of The Street Lawyer by John Grisham.
Sometimes the most exciting ministries... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
Sometimes the most exciting ministries are started with not much logic and little more than someone
Our community was in crisis... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
Our community was in crisis.

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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