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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In the movie Princess Bride... -- Luke 1:26-38 -- 2002
In the movie Princess Bride, Wesley is a hired hand who serves the wishes of Buttercup, because he l
The Arizona-based Cold Stone... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- 2002
The Arizona-based Cold Stone Creamery is offering a new delicacy in their 142 stores in 26 states.
Paul's letter begins with a... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- 2002
Paul's letter begins with a great statement of his confidence in the all-sufficiency of Christ.
The intimate relationship between the... -- Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) -- 2002
The intimate relationship between the Father and the Son that informs the Nicene Creed's understandi
Paul describes the people of... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- 2002
Paul describes the people of God and their disposition of piety in a manner that makes the focused n
The images of adoption by... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- 2002
The images of adoption by God as children and the sense of fullness of time are reminiscent of pregn
In the film, Saving Private... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- 2002
In the film, Saving Private Ryan, the entire movie is framed by the context of a veteran who takes h
Paul's benediction attributes all glory... -- Romans 16:25-27 -- 2002
Paul's "benediction" attributes all glory to the Lord who is able to do all things.
There is a wonderful balance... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- 2002
There is a wonderful balance between patiently waiting for and anticipating Christ's coming again.
Most anyone who has been... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- 2002
Most anyone who has been to summer camp or worked with youth groups knows about a simple exercise ca
Every so often, ministers will... -- Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) -- 2002
Every so often, ministers will get an official looking manila envelope in the mail from an attorney'
There is an old saying... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- 2002
There is an old saying that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." While that may be true for huma
Over the course of his... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- 2002
Over the course of his 11-year career in the NBA, Manute Bol was something of an oddity.
The movie The Insider tells... -- Romans 16:25-27 -- 2002
The movie The Insider tells the story of Dr.
In this passage, Paul instructs... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- 2002
In this passage, Paul instructs us to put all things to the test -- keep what is good and avoid ever
A driver's education instructor at... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- 2002
A driver's education instructor at a high school says that one of his favorite things to do with his
Dennis Becker takes his family... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- 2002
Dennis Becker takes his family camping each year.
One man tells of helping... -- Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) -- 2002
One man tells of helping his mother pack her belongings for a move.
Nothing underscores the urgency of... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- 2002
Nothing underscores the urgency of time like a woman in labor.
In his book, Dance Like... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- 2002
In his book, Dance Like a Poor Man, Samuel Hoffer tells the story of a 12-year-old Hutterite named P
Clara's favorite line was, The... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- 2002
Clara's favorite line was, "The Lord is good." Clara emigrated from Sweden as a small child.
Newspaper editor Ed Bunyan of... -- Romans 16:25-27 -- 2002
Newspaper editor Ed Bunyan of the North Bay Nugget knew a secret.
Some days rush upon us... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- 2002
Some days rush upon us and nothing we can do will stop them: tax day, examination day, or root-canal
Sir William Johnson was the... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- 2002
Sir William Johnson was the British Empire's administrator of American Indian affairs before the Rev
British actor Wilfrid Lawson once... -- Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) -- 2002
British actor Wilfrid Lawson once invited fellow-actor Richard Burton to come to the theater so the

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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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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