Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

All was going well on... -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2002
All was going well on Julia's first day as a nurse in Dr. Chegley's office. That is, until Dr.
Did you ever see the... -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2002
Did you ever see the movie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers?
The old theological seminary was... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2002
The old theological seminary was on the north side of Pittsburgh. It no longer stands.
Who is the real authority... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2002
Who is the real authority in life? Matthew makes clear it is Jesus. Not everyone recognizes this.
Ron made an appointment with... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2002
Ron made an appointment with his pastor.
There are a couple of... -- 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
There are a couple of things that render the law incapable of providing us with salvation from our s
Maltbie Davenport Babcock excelled as... -- John 14:15-21 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Maltbie Davenport Babcock excelled as a student, a musician, and an athlete at Syracuse University a
Following the commandments out of... -- John 14:15-21 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Following the commandments out of love and devotion is one thing.
Marcia Jaynes reached 92 years... -- John 14:15-21 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Marcia Jaynes reached 92 years of age last spring.
When the Spirit inhabits our... -- John 14:15-21 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
When the Spirit inhabits our hearts, our lives change. William Penn had such an experience.
Kathleen is a miracle in... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Kathleen is a miracle in progress. At the age of 10 she developed juvenile diabetes.
Lying there in the cell... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Lying there in the cell it seemed like he would never be free again.
Some frogs were hopping through... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Some frogs were hopping through the woods. Suddenly, two of them fell into a large hole.
On the cross, Jesus encountered... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
On the cross, Jesus encountered both terrible physical pain and extreme emotional pain.
There was once a boy... -- John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
There was once a boy who made a boat. Just a small boat, he could hold it in his hands.
If we're going to link... -- John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
If we're going to link up with a deity, let it be a dependable one.
Jesus prays for his followers... -- John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Jesus prays for his followers, that they "may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you
On the outside they looked... -- John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
On the outside they looked like identical twins.
One of the best ways... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2002
One of the best ways to illustrate how the gifts of the Spirit make up one body is to refer to a jig
Eric had always been a... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2002
Eric had always been a bit different. For some reason he seemed out of step with most folks.
A photographer was sent to... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2002
A photographer was sent to cover the fires at Yellowstone National Park.
When outsiders look at United... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2002
When outsiders look at United States military academies, they see practices that seem peculiar.
In my part of the... -- John 7:37-39 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2002
In my part of the country, we don't think much about the rainfall.
To thirst for God means... -- John 7:37-39 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2002
To thirst for God means to open our hearts to the flow of living waters that spill over into the liv
What a precious commodity is... -- John 7:37-39 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2002
What a precious commodity is water!

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?

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL