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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A California psychiatrist named Richard... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2002
A California psychiatrist named Richard Harris came up with a psychological principle that he called
If I were living to... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2002
If I were living to myself, I'd consider defrauding an innkeeper without a conscience twang.
Her neighbors whispered, Mary is... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2002
Her neighbors whispered, "Mary is pregnant." "But Mary is not married!" "Well, I must say...." As th
A quote from C. S... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2002
A quote from C. S. Lewis: "The sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of all sins.
Elizabeth Conroy was pastor at... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2002
Elizabeth Conroy was pastor at one of the seven churches in Walkerton, Ontario, and chairperson of t
It was Sunday noon and... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
It was Sunday noon and she was exhausted.
What children experience when they... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
What children experience when they are young lasts for a lifetime.
Loving our neighbor includes making... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
Loving our neighbor includes making sure we do not take advantage of his or her generosity.
Remember Fiddler on the Roof... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
Remember Fiddler on the Roof?
Are the terrorists who were... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
"Are the terrorists who were responsible for the deaths of thousands on September 11 last year my ne
There's a difference between genuine... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2002
There's a difference between genuine love and sentimental love.
Several years ago, it was... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2002
Several years ago, it was my privilege to spend two months in the Philippines, working with Sunday s
Living peaceably with all and... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2002
Living peaceably with all and in harmony with others, can be a tough assignment.
Her friends could not understand... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2002
Her friends could not understand. "How can you forgive him?" The divorce was final.
Did you hear the story... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2002
Did you hear the story of the man at the circus, near the camel pen?
Peter, Jesus said, had become... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2002
Peter, Jesus said, had become a stumbling block to Jesus.
It is a rough thing... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2002
It is a rough thing to have to endure suffering.
The Greeks have a story... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2002
The Greeks have a story about Paedaretos.
Reality TV has become popular... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2002
"Reality TV" has become popular in recent months with shows such as Survivor.
Do you know the hymn... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2002
Do you know the hymn, "Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun?" It was written in 1695, by Thomas Ken, who
Loving one another includes loving... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2002
Loving one another includes loving our enemies.
The kitchen was not new... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2002
The kitchen was not new to him. His wife called him a "gourmet" cook. Cakes were his specialty.
Nothing can ruin a marriage... -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2002
Nothing can ruin a marriage faster than not fighting fair.
Lynn was the chairperson of... -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2002
Lynn was the chairperson of the personnel department of a large manufacturing company.
A friend of the congregation... -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2002
A friend of the congregation had called Pastor Don late one Friday afternoon.

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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