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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Every four years the president... -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Every four years the president of the United States is sworn in during an elaborate inauguration cer
Outward appearances can be deceiving... -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Outward appearances can be deceiving.
There is an old story... -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
There is an old story about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
Pastor Joe is not a... -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Pastor Joe is not a morning person, but every day before dawn his wife drags him out of bed and take
To live as children of... -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
To live as children of the Lord means to embrace the gifts God gave us and employ them well.
Many people say they are... -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Many people say they are burnt out ... but the truth is that most people aren't even lit yet.
There is an old story... -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
There is an old story told about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
John, an elderly man who... -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
John, an elderly man who lived alone as a widower, had not been seen in worship for over a month.
William J. Bausch says in... -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
William J.
The Pharisees' refusal to see... -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
The Pharisees' refusal to see in Jesus the working of God and to embrace his words and his person is
Hope comes when new life... -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Hope comes when new life is breathed into a situation where none appears to exist.
There is an old story... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
There is an old story about two evangelists who went door-to-door inviting people to come to church.
In the days before Caller... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
In the days before "Caller ID," there was an old practical joke of calling someone up on the phone a
The Samaritan woman needs a... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
The Samaritan woman needs a drink and Jesus gives it to her.
For Jesus to associate with... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For Jesus to associate with a Samaritan woman was to associate with someone of questionable piety.
In Our Lady of... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
In Our Lady of the Lost and Found by Zisner Hampton, we are told that "Searching too hard for
The experience of three disciples... -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
The experience of three disciples who saw Jesus changed on the mountaintop raises the age-old questi
Pastor Bill was not your... -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Pastor Bill was not your ordinary pastor. Bill loved cattle.
The story is told of... -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
The story is told of a man and a woman who met and fell in love by mail.
In the dark days of... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
In the dark days of the Depression, the folk singer Woody Guthrie brought hope to many through his m
One of the hard things... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
One of the hard things about life is the nagging doubts and questions we have that start with words
In the dark days of... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
In the dark days of the Depression, the folk singer Woody Guthrie brought hope to many through his m
Israel whined when they thought... -- Exodus 1:1-17 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Israel whined when they thought God would let them die of thirst.
Doug hated Barry. Everyone in... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Doug hated Barry. Everyone in school knew that. The source of Doug's hatred was not known.
Israel whined when they thought... -- Exodus 1:1-17 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Israel whined when they thought God would let them die of thirst.

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
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26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For August 10, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A treasure chest containing photos of some of your family members and friends, and a small, worn-out bag or purse. The treasure chest could be as simple as a small, metal lockbox, or you could have some fun with a larger box that actually looks like a treasure chest.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But before I tell you the story, I have something that I want to show you. (Show the treasure chest.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Personal rant here — since childhood I’ve been annoyed that the winners of the 100-meter dash at the Olympics are hailed as the world’s fastest humans. To me it’s been obvious that the greatest, and fastest, athletes are the women and men who endure the trials and tribulations throughout the 26.2-mile marathons, and who then somehow find it within themselves to sprint to the finish line.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return… (Luke 12:35-36)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus calls us to be ready for him, for we shall encounter him at unexpected times and in unexpected ways. In our worship today, let us prepare to meet with Jesus.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we don't bother to make ourselves ready for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes it doesn't occur to us that we might meet with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we miss you because we haven't expected you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.
-- Psalm 50:23

Clayton A. Lord Jr.
I want to talk about heroes today. We all have them. Our heroes are men and women that we look up to. Our heroes are those individuals that inspire us and help us to strive to be our very best.

There is a cute story about a Texan who was trying to impress on a Bostonian, the valor of the heroes of the Alamo. After finishing his story about Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and countless others, he says "I'll bet you never had anyone so brave around Boston."

"Did you ever hear of Paul Revere?" asked the Bostonian.

Thomas A. Renquist
Jesus tells us, "Don't be afraid," but it seems to me there is a lot to be afraid of. "Sell your possessions," he says, "give alms ... risk ... be dressed for action ... have your lamps lit ... be prepared ... be alert." Sounds very ominous, quite scary to me.

Christopher Reeves, the actor, knows what it is to be afraid. On Memorial Day weekend, 1995, in a tragic fall from his horse, he was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and fighting for his every breath.
John W. Wurster
"Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom. Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah" (1:10; cf. Genesis 19).

Sodom. Gomorrah. Remember? Places of wickedness, of violence, of perversity. Do you know any place like that? Places where sexuality is twisted and relationships are corrupted and social order is breaking down? Places where people seek to gratify personal desires at the expense of others, where individual pursuits take precedence over common well-being, where anything goes as long as it feels good?

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