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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In Jesus Christ, we are... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2002
In Jesus Christ, we are dead to sin and alive to God. We can move beyond living in dishonesty.
Mike and Jerold, high school... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2002
Mike and Jerold, high school seniors, went out to a movie on a Friday night.
The prodigal shook the rotten... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2002
The prodigal shook the rotten apple peels and broken egg shells from his robe and said, "I have sinn
The authors of the old... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2002
The authors of the "old hymns" took at face value the declarations of the Apostle Paul to the Romans
It could easily be argued... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2002
It could easily be argued that Beirut is the most dangerous city in the world.
I was giving our daughter... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2002
I was giving our daughter and her best friend a ride to the movies.
Brad was a naturally shy... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2002
Brad was a naturally shy guy, but he also had a passion for reaching out with the gospel.
The Sound of Music by... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2002
The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein is based on the true story of Captain Georg Von Trapp
The wages of sin is... -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
The wages of sin is death.
Charles was a workaholic, a... -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
Charles was a workaholic, a slave to his job.
Jesus touched the eyes of... -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
Jesus touched the eyes of blind Bartimaeus and said, "Go, your faith has made you well, has saved yo
It is a strong figure... -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
It is a strong figure of speech Paul uses when he refers to being "slaves to sin." A slave has to do
Author Kurt Vonnegut told of... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
Author Kurt Vonnegut told of an evening he spent alone in a remote motel.
It was a tradition. Every... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
It was a tradition.
Most Americans are only vaguely... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
Most Americans are only vaguely acquainted with hospitality the way it happens in the East.
In 1797 John Adams was... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
In 1797 John Adams was inaugurated second President of the United States, and he would have the seco
Joan was trying to discern... -- 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Joan was trying to discern if she had a call to ordained ministry.
When the fire broke out... -- 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
When the fire broke out in Tommy's bedroom, the flames grew quickly.
In 1861 Senator Andrew Johnson... -- 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
In 1861 Senator Andrew Johnson of Tennessee attended the first inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and h
An old cowboy story told... -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- 2002
An old cowboy story told by Boyce House:
Nubar Sarkis Gulbenkian, British industrialist... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2002
Nubar Sarkis Gulbenkian, British industrialist and philanthropist, once filled out a market research
Marian Reams' oldest son, Jack... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2002
Marian Reams' oldest son, Jack, had led a troubled life.
A father had two sons... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2002
A father had two sons. One was adopted and the other was his natural child.
For Peter, the resurrection of... -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2002
For Peter, the resurrection of Jesus brought especially good news.
It was a wedding like... -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2002
It was a wedding like none other I'd conducted.

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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