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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Having just written the most... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2002
Having just written the most glorious affirmation of faith, Paul stopped writing, in the midst of hi
The two men were sitting... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2002
The two men were sitting near a big oak tree.
Five loaves + two fish = plenty... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2002
Five loaves + two fish = plenty for everyone + 12 baskets of leftovers.
One Sunday morning an eccentric... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2002
One Sunday morning an eccentric looking man came to church.
One Saturday night, motivational speaker... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2002
One Saturday night, motivational speaker Reggie Dabbs led an powerful youth service.
Catherine was an active member... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
Catherine was an active member of her church.
Johnny was adopted into a... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2002
Johnny was adopted into a family of two brothers and one sister, of whom he was the youngest.
Kidnapped in Pakistan, a news... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2002
Kidnapped in Pakistan, a news reporter has been unheard of for days.
Chosen-ness does not lead... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2002
Chosen-ness does not lead automatically to arrogance, but without vigilance it can slide into it.
When the beloved disciple ran... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - A -- 2002
When the beloved disciple ran and reached the tomb first and saw the folded cloths that had covered
One woman writes:br... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - A -- 2002
One woman writes:
There was a family, not... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - A -- 2002
There was a family, not very well off, who stayed overnight in a cheap motel on their way to a new t
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - A -- 2002
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe is a vivid account of the excesses of the 1960s.
Axel Hjalmar Ender, of Molde... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - A -- 2002
Axel Hjalmar Ender, of Molde, Norway, painted a glorious picture of "Holy Women at the Tomb." He por
The acclaimed U.S. writer, Bret... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - A -- 2002
The acclaimed U.S.
How does one recognize Christ... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - A -- 2002
How does one recognize Christ?
In 1939, a professor from... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
In 1939, a professor from Germany left Union Seminary in New York to return to war-torn Germany.
We all want our churches... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
We all want our churches to grow spiritually and numerically.
Once, and that was enough... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
Once, and that was enough for me, I observed a mob in action.
Once the damage was done... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
Once the damage was done, Judas couldn't reverse it, any more than we can put toothpaste back in the
Mark Twain had a bit... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
Mark Twain had a bit of advice for those who spend a lot of time tracing their family tree.
Jesus of Nazareth underwent Jewish... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
Jesus of Nazareth underwent Jewish and Roman trials, was flogged and sentenced to death by crucifixi
Clyde was a constant thorn... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - A -- 2002
Clyde was a constant thorn in the side of most church members and the new pastor.
A pastor visiting the Holy... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2002
A pastor visiting the Holy Land writes:
Learning to be a servant... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2002
Learning to be a servant is a frightfully difficult business.

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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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