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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

As Pastor Kris Smith had... -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2002
As Pastor Kris Smith had worked to reach out to the community in her first pastorate, she discovered
To bear up under loss... -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2002
"To bear up under loss, to fight the bitterness of defeat and the weakness of grief, to be victor ov
When exactly did Abraham recognize... -- Genesis 18:1-15 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
When exactly did Abraham recognize that God was present among his three visitors?
There is nothing like the... -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
There is nothing like the peace that comes from resting our hope in the promises of God.
A pastor made his regular... -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
A pastor made his regular call on John, a member of the church who had suffered for years with multi
The man lay in prison... -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
The man lay in prison enduring the terror, the torture, the isolation his captors inflicted on him d
What a thrill, watching athletes... -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
What a thrill, watching athletes perform in the Olympics!
The Rodney King trial in... -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
The Rodney King trial in Los Angeles sparked some horrible riots.
Sharon, Dianne and I had... -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
Sharon, Dianne and I had been invited to St.
Often people just need some... -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
Often people just need some sense of awareness that with faith comes authority as well as a charge.
The boss of a big... -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of th
Just as God's grace does... -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- 2002
Just as God's grace does not signify our deservedness, neither does good fortune.
A man asked his pastor... -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- 2002
A man asked his pastor if he could speak with her.
The child watched her father... -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- 2002
The child watched her father driving the huge tractor when all of a sudden he swooped her up onto th
All parents have lived through... -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- 2002
All parents have lived through the "Do I hafto" period with their children.
The Jerusalem church was led... -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- 2002
The Jerusalem church was led by Jesus' closest friends: Peter, John and James.
Jessica was ecstatic. Her favorite... -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- 2002
Jessica was ecstatic. Her favorite band was playing at a club in a nearby community.
When Gina saw the sale... -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- 2002
When Gina saw the sale, she couldn't believe her eyes.
Our church was discussing the... -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2002
Our church was discussing the Heifer Project, a creative mission that allows people to purchase anim
I have heard of your... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2002
"I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints ...
Once a great conductor was... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2002
Once a great conductor was rehearsing the orchestra in preparation for a concert.
Paul prays the Spirit will... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2002
Paul prays the Spirit will give us wisdom.
On the television game show... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2002
On the television game show Jeopardy!
There was once a famine... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2002
There was once a famine in Lithuania and the poor left the cities and swarmed over the countryside i
Matthew makes it clear that... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2002
Matthew makes it clear that the faithful are to take responsibility for the downtrodden.

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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