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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The child asked, Why did... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
The child asked, "Why did God let Jesus be tempted and why three times?
History has shown again and... -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
History has shown again and again that faith precedes many great accomplishments.
As teenagers, my brothers and... -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
As teenagers, my brothers and I could hardly wait to drive. My parents were firm.
Woodrow Wilson, addressing some new... -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Woodrow Wilson, addressing some new citizens of the United States, said to them:
Denominational-level ministry committees, those... -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Denominational-level ministry committees, those who must interview neophyte pastors, find many who a
God sent his Son to... -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
God sent his Son to redeem, not to condemn.
If you've ever watched a... -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
If you've ever watched a sailboat race, you know the thrill of watching the boats gathering and mane
Alice's husband said to her... -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Alice's husband said to her, "I don't understand what's happened to you!
The student said to his... -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
The student said to his Master, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God.
In 2001, the Coca-Cola... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
In 2001, the Coca-Cola company, known for warm-feeling commercials such as "I'd Like to Teach the Wo
Patrick was a young pastor... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2002
Patrick was a young pastor out to change the world.
In order to be useful... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2002
In order to be useful, a symbol has to be understood by both the people using it and the people obse
A fellow wanted a job... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2002
A fellow wanted a job as a signalman on the railway.
A piano looks ominous to... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2002
A piano looks ominous to us when we first sit down at the keyboard. White keys, black keys.
There continues to be a... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2002
There continues to be a debate in the Christian community about what it means to be "poor in spirit.
No mercy! None expected, none... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2002
"No mercy!
It had been a long... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2002
It had been a long and difficult case -- murder cases often were.
I was a little apprehensive... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2002
I was a little apprehensive.
Peter writes, No prophecy of... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2002
Peter writes, "No prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation." Old Testament scho
Many who read the story... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2002
Many who read the story of Jesus' Transfiguration on the mountaintop wonder where this story really
The author James Michener, speaking... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2002
The author James Michener, speaking in Detroit, told a group of senior citizens about an aunt of his
A church member contacted her... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2002
A church member contacted her pastor for advice about dealing with her 12-year-old son who had just
Three years ago, Time... -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2002
Three years ago, Time magazine asked novelist Reynolds Price, who had previously translated t
Normally our 13-year-old... -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2002
Normally our 13-year-old daughter loved her English class.
When Virginia died there was... -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2002
When Virginia died there was no shortage of people to come to her funeral.

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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