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

Some years ago, a little... -- Matthews 25:31-46 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2002
Some years ago, a little known woman named Natalie died in St. Louis.
A young boy was with... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2002
A young boy was with his parents as they walked downtown in a large city.
Ask any volunteer and they'll... -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2002
Ask any volunteer and they'll tell you that they are given more than they give.
Seen on a church sign... -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2002
Seen on a church sign:
Thanksgiving is not a religious... -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2002
Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday. It is a national holiday.
A cartoon shows a man... -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2002
A cartoon shows a man standing at the heavenly gates talking to Jesus.
Senator Tom Carper spoke to... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2002
Senator Tom Carper spoke to the Delaware Postmasters at their annual Christmas dinner.
A quote from Oliver Wendell... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2002
A quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes: "If one should give me a dish of sand, and tell me there were pa
Now Thank We All Our... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2002
"Now Thank We All Our God" has long been a standard hymn for Thanksgiving.
Sometimes the best example of... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2002
Sometimes the best example of the powerful impact of faith can only be seen in the life of those who
The hazard, and the adventure... -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- All Saints Day - A -- 2002
The hazard, and the adventure, of living as children of God is that we end up with a set of values t
Elaine Ward writes, It was... -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- All Saints Day - A -- 2002
Elaine Ward writes, "It was Sunday morning. I had spent the night at my son's.
Irene lives with chronic pain... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - A -- 2002
Irene lives with chronic pain -- pain that needs to be controlled with morphine in order for her to
Beverly is 76 years old... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - A -- 2002
Beverly is 76 years old and a widow. She no longer drives.
In the military, everyone is... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - A -- 2002
In the military, everyone is evaluated, from the lowest to the highest, and performance reports are
so that you may not... -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2002
"... so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope ...
When the curtain goes up... -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2002
When the curtain goes up in Fiddler on the Roof, a dim light outlines a house.
There is both promise and... -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2002
There is both promise and threat in the news that God will come quickly to interrupt our earthly exp
His grandfather lay in the... -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2002
His grandfather lay in the coffin. He did not move.
It was the night of... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2002
It was the night of the quartet contest.
Prior to the attacks on... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2002
Prior to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, military service involved a state o
When I was a kid... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2002
When I was a kid there was something called a service station. That's right -- service.
But he replied, 'Truly I... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2002
"But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' " He was not the last doorkeeper to exclude
Following the horrific events of... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2002
Following the horrific events of 9/11, a young woman in New Jersey refused to leave her apartment be
There are people who qualify... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2002
There are people who qualify for the title "encourager," and they are worth so much in the Church.

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