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

Four brothers gathered around the... -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2001
Four brothers gathered around the bed of an 84-year-old woman late one Friday night.
I was ecstatic. After months... -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2001
I was ecstatic.
A member of our congregation... -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2001
A member of our congregation recently returned from a trip to Peru sponsored by Medical Missions.
Liz is a heavy smoker... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
Liz is a heavy smoker. Well into her 70s, Liz has chain-smoked for nigh onto 60 years.
Many people live by the... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
Many people live by the flesh and end up dying by the flesh.
Paul Harvey, in an address... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
Paul Harvey, in an address in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 21, 1998, told how freedom requires self-di
In their book The... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
In their book The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy (Broadway Books, 1997), William Straus
One afternoon in April 1689... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
One afternoon in April 1689, as the American colonies boiled with rumors that King James II was abou
One of my summer challenges... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2001
One of my summer challenges each year is to coach a neighborhood girl's softball team.
Fire is an appropriate image... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2001
Fire is an appropriate image for God because fire is something that we often experience as being bey
In the spring of 1999... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2001
In the spring of 1999, Ingo Potrykus, professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Zuri
When this passage warns us... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2001
When this passage warns us not to refuse to hear God when God speaks, I think of my grandparents.
Some people can sleep anywhere... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
Some people can sleep anywhere.
I like to collect congregational... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
I like to collect congregational history books.
As we become aware of... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
As we become aware of the cloud of witnesses surrounding us, we should draw encouragement from them
Ten-year-old Taylor Touchstone... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
Ten-year-old Taylor Touchstone survived four days alone in the waters of Turtle Swamp, Florida, swim
When this passage talks about... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
When this passage talks about keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, I am reminded of open water swimming.
When I was growing up... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
When I was growing up in Pueblo, Colorado, there was a family nearby who had 14 children.
Most of my sermons are... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
Most of my sermons are Gospel-oriented, written to encourage people to get in touch with what and ho
Many immigrants were lured to... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
Many immigrants were lured to the Americas by the promise of free land, the prospect of wealth and j
Of the companies that were... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
Of the companies that were on the Fortune 500 list in 1955, 70 percent are now out of business.
A huge burial site lies... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
A huge burial site lies beneath the city of Paris in what was once an ancient stone quarry.
Different people like to travel... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
Different people like to travel in different ways.
The stewardship campaign had begun... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
The stewardship campaign had begun at the local church.
Clara was 97 years old... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
Clara was 97 years old when I met her almost 30 years ago.

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