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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Richard Feynman was a physicist... -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Richard Feynman was a physicist who participated in the Manhattan Project.
From May 29-31, 1934, church... -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
From May 29-31, 1934, church leaders from across Germany drafted a statement, which is known today a
In 1967 Shostakovich, the Russian... -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
In 1967 Shostakovich, the Russian composer, wrote a symphony titled October.
Have you ever wondered how... -- 2 Kings 5:14-17 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Have you ever wondered how two people could grow up in the same family and yet have totally differen
During the second-battle of... -- 2 Kings 5:14-17 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
During the second-battle of Bull Run, in August 1862, a Richmond reporter walked over the battlefiel
Marshall and Helen had been... -- Ruth 1:(1-7) 8-19a -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Marshall and Helen had been married for 52 years when her health began to fail.
Have you ever known a... -- Ruth 1:(1-7) 8-19a -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Have you ever known a person named Ruth? Ruth means "beloved" in Hebrew. I had an aunt named Ruth.
This report card marking I... -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
This report card marking I would take the long way home because of the "C" grade in citizenship.
Susan was convinced that arguing... -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Susan was convinced that arguing wasn't the answer.
Two men were discussing their... -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Two men were discussing their faith at the lunch counter.
William Tyndale's goal in life... -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
William Tyndale's goal in life was to translate the Scriptures into English so that the common perso
For what shall I thank... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
For what shall I thank the Lord?For my health? But I've always been healthy!
There is a movement afoot... -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
There is a movement afoot in education in America today that seeks to bring renewed excellence to th
Alfred was proud of his... -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Alfred was proud of his church.
The new covenant of God... -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
The new covenant of God to his people may be seen in one verse of scripture, John 3:16.
The high school history class... -- Exodus 17:8-13 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
The high school history class was studying the Civil War.
Gretchen was scheduled for cancer... -- Exodus 17:8-13 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Gretchen was scheduled for cancer surgery.
If it took two close... -- Exodus 17:8-13 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
If it took two close associates to hold up the weary hands of Moses, who are we to imagine that we c
The message of Amos 6... -- Amos 6:1a, 4-7 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
The message of Amos 6 seems to bring the warning that God should not be taken for granted; a message
The Reverend Mr. Clark had... -- Amos 6:1a, 4-7 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
The Reverend Mr.
It was a stunning defeat... -- Amos 6:1a, 4-7 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
It was a stunning defeat! The citizens of the district had decided that enough was enough.
John was co-owner and... -- Amos 6:1a, 4-7 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
John was co-owner and manager of our local department store.
Contentment, according to Paul, is... -- 1 Timothy 6:6-19 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
Contentment, according to Paul, is a godly virtue.
One day Sherry met a... -- 1 Timothy 6:6-19 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
One day Sherry met a man fishing at her favorite spot in the creek.
At the corner of West... -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
At the corner of West Grand Boulevard and the Lodge service drive, where Henry Ford Hospital stands,

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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