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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

They had tried everything -- new... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
They had tried everything -- new worship styles, bigger ads in the Yellow Pages, evangelism programs
Have you ever wondered just... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Have you ever wondered just what it was that enabled Paul to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Two young adults met, and... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Two young adults met, and it was love at first sight.
One evening in the town... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
One evening in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, the father of poet Emily Dickinson hurried to his
For many people, including the... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
For many people, including the people of Israel, knowing from whom you came is an important consider
On Epiphany Sunday, the pastor... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
On Epiphany Sunday, the pastor at a church we were visiting invited the children forward for the chi
Back in 1984, a French... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Back in 1984, a French perfume creator figured out a way to combine all three of the Magi's gifts in
Three wise men, called Faith... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Three wise men, called Faith, Hope, and Love, saw the star that beckoned them.
Valerie had been a pastor... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
Valerie had been a pastor for several years. She knew her theology.
I've heard it said that... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
I've heard it said that if you combined the flow of all the rivers in the world, you would have to m
Marcion was a man who... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
Marcion was a man who promoted a second-century heresy.
The western church has often... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2002
The western church has often talked about discipleship as doing God's will: God saves us in Jesus, a
Folk historian J. Frank Dobie... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2002
Folk historian J. Frank Dobie liked to tell stories about the animals of the Southwest.
Last year, Armando Valladares' book... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2002
Last year, Armando Valladares' book, Against All Hope, was re-released.
When we lay up treasures... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2002
When we lay up treasures in heaven, by fixing our heart there, we make clear that our priorities are
Pastor Ken Kettlewell writes: When... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2002
Pastor Ken Kettlewell writes: When I was in high school, I received word that someone in my congrega
6:1-6, 16-21... -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2002
6:1-6, 16-21
Once an uneducated peasant boy... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2002
Once an uneducated peasant boy, but a very bright one, kept his true character in secret.
Jimmy, Mark and Sarah could... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Jimmy, Mark and Sarah could be the best children anyone ever saw.
The new youth director was... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
The new youth director was adamant.
Some years ago, there was... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Some years ago, there was a medical missionary who served in Egypt.
While God accepts us as... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
While God accepts us as we are, it is not God's intent to keep us wallowing in our sin.
Jesus' successful resistance of temptation... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Jesus' successful resistance of temptation sets a pattern for disciples, including those who seeming
A man once went to... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
A man once went to his priest to confess. "Yes, I did it," he admitted.
Will the test be very... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
"Will the test be very hard?" Jake asked his teacher.

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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