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

One of the most popular... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
One of the most popular musicals on Broadway in recent years has been Les Miserables based on
In order for a door... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
In order for a door to be opened, someone must have the key.
In an excellent sermon on... -- Luke 11:11-17 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
In an excellent sermon on the Second Petition of the Lord's Prayer, "Your kingdom come," the sainted
When the Berlin Wall came... -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
When the Berlin Wall came down newspapers and journals reported the church's part in pushing for ref
A Colorado public school teacher... -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
A Colorado public school teacher was ordered by his superiors to remove his personal Bible from his
Have you ever made a... -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
Have you ever made a time capsule?
Urban flight to the suburbs... -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
Urban flight to the suburbs created a major economic crisis in many cities.
While we may know the... -- Genesis 18:1-10 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
While we may know the rest of this story because we have read it before, this segment of scripture l
After being in my first... -- Genesis 18:1-10 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
After being in my first parish for only a couple of weeks, my wife and I went to visit an elderly co
The quality of life is... -- Genesis 18:1-10 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
The quality of life is not a chronological matter.
One church member will always... -- Genesis 18:1-10 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
One church member will always be in my album of saints.
Two friends were strolling along... -- Colossians 1:21-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Two friends were strolling along.
In a compilation of his... -- Colossians 1:21-29 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
In a compilation of his sermons titled Through the Year with Fulton Sheen (compiled and edite
Mentoring is an ancient but... -- Colossians 1:21-29 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Mentoring is an ancient but popular idea today.
A beautiful, young university student... -- Colossians 1:21-29 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
A beautiful, young university student from a home of means, went to her professor with her problem.
Bette Brown tells of a... -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Bette Brown tells of a friend, whom we shall call Jeffrey, who decided to take his own life early on
The annual meeting of the... -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
The annual meeting of the First Church was over and John was pleased that he had elected to be the m
One television ad featured a... -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
One television ad featured a young boy who offers to help some children slightly older fixing a bike
What is the one thing... -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
What is "the one thing needed" in our lives?
Of the many interesting facts... -- 2 Kings 5:1-15ab -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Of the many interesting facts of Naaman's story, surely not to be overlooked is the place of the Isr
I am well aware that... -- 2 Kings 5:1-15ab -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
I am well aware that most of the folks in my congregation are pleased as can be that our church make
Jerry was an outstanding basketball... -- 2 Kings 5:1-15ab -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Jerry was an outstanding basketball player.
I am always fascinated by... -- 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
I am always fascinated by the process of passing on the torch at the Olympics.
In a 1991 newspaper column... -- 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
In a 1991 newspaper column George Will contrasted the lifestyles of two politicians --John Sununu an
Mike and Mickey enjoyed baseball... -- Deuteronomy 30:10-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Mike and Mickey enjoyed baseball very much.

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