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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Our absent Lord has given... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Our absent Lord has given special commendation to those who not only wait for his return, but also e
After carefully packing eight years... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
After carefully packing eight years' worth of accumulated belongings into a self-haul vehicle to be
Jeremiah is one of the... -- Jeremiah 2O:7-13 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Jeremiah is one of the most fascinating of the Hebrew prophets.
Who is the enemy? From... -- Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Who is the enemy? From whom do we pray for deliverance, for God's defenses, for justice?
Glendon Harris wrote about Jeremiah's... -- Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Glendon Harris wrote about Jeremiah's words, "Lord, thou hast deceived me." He characterized this pa
An Old Testament professor who... -- Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
An Old Testament professor who had been a refugee prior to WWII shared this story with his class abo
Elizabeth O'Connor of the Church... -- Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Elizabeth O'Connor of the Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C.
Fedor Dostoevsky, in the I... -- Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Fedor Dostoevsky, in the Brothers Karamazov, tells of "The Grand Inquisitor." Jesus returns u
Henry David Thoreau once refused... -- Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Henry David Thoreau once refused to pay a state tax as a protest against slavery and against our cou
During my day-to-day... -- Jeremiah 23:23-29 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
During my day-to-day parish ministry I am often amazed by the all encompassing presence of God.
Chapter 23 is a dark... -- Jeremiah 23:23-29 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Chapter 23 is a dark chapter. Verse 14 refers to (false) prophets committing adultery.
A writer has said that... -- Ecclesiastes 1:12-14; 2:(1-7, 11) 18-23 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
A writer has said that one of the purposes of a novelist is to make ordinary life seem legitimate.
Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote a... -- Ecclesiastes 1:12-14; 2:(1-7, 11) 18-23 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote a book about Ecclesiastes, a short writing in the Hebrew Bible.
How easily or unrealistic expectations... -- Ecclesiastes 1:12-14; 2:(1-7, 11) 18-23 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
How easily or unrealistic expectations can lead us into dissatisfaction with daily living.
Does our life reflect that... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Does our life reflect that we "have been raised with Christ" and that we "have put on the new nature
No doubt one of the... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
No doubt one of the best things that readers learned from Peck's book, The Road Less Traveled
Dorothy was told hen leg... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Dorothy was told hen leg would have to be removed.
I remember when I was... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
"I remember when I was a boy," the old man mused, "I was riding on the seat of the wagon with my dad
What is of most importance... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
What is of most importance in life?
Perhaps we have become so... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Perhaps we have become so familiar with this passage that we forget its radical truth.
A recent hit song contrasts... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
A recent hit song contrasts the lifestyles of two men.
Lately I've been trying my... -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Lately I've been trying my hand at a few woodworking projects.
One of the most exciting... -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
One of the most exciting ministries of The Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C.
One day Francis was speaking... -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
One day Francis was speaking with a member of Assisi's nobility.
By winter, he was a... -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
By winter, he was a divorce attorney in a city.

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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