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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

What a tempting offer... -- Wisdom 18:6-9 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
What a tempting offer it was!
Patterns. They are everywhere. Patterns... -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Patterns. They are everywhere. Patterns and designs for enhancing life.
Handling Life's Second Bests, is... -- Acts 16:6-10 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
"Handling Life's Second Bests," is the title of a sermon by Harry Emerson Fosdick.
One person's death can have... -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
One person's death can have a rippling effect for good that eventually changes the lives of many peo
We have all heard it... -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
We have all heard it said that the truth hurts.
Martin Luther was sure that... -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Martin Luther was sure that everyone would believe his gospel when he let loose his rediscovery of t
The man had begun his... -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
The man had begun his journey across the desert, confident that he had enough water and supplies to
One day I took my... -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
One day I took my children to a street carnival in our community.
Water. We need a sufficient... -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Water. We need a sufficient amount of it.
Richard's drinking problem was extending... -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Richard's drinking problem was extending into its second decade.
Some years ago my father... -- John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Some years ago my father had a major stroke during an open heart bypass surgery.
Fr. Mark Link, SJ relates... -- John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Fr. Mark Link, SJ relates that "Giacomo Puccini composed a number of famous operas.
Sometimes, reported a minister who... -- John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
"Sometimes," reported a minister who had sat in an auditorium filled with 3,000 church folk, "the se
For a small city plot... -- 2 Kings 13:14-20a -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
For a small city plot, the Greenwood Cemetery in Bloomington, Illinois, holds the graves of an unusu
Those of us who are... -- 2 Kings 13:14-20a -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Those of us who are Detroit Lions fans have become so used to losing throughout the years that we, l
The king was described by... -- 2 Kings 13:14-20a -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
The king was described by Elisha as "the Lord's arrow (v.
Vanity? Here's what vanity is... -- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Vanity?
Practically every preacher can tell... -- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Practically every preacher can tell the same story.
A rose is a rose... -- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
"A rose is a rose is a nose" goes the poem.
Do you like the smell... -- Revelation 21:10, 22-27 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Do you like the smell of new things? The upholstery in a new car. The paint of a new house.
Robert Louis Stevenson tells of... -- Revelation 21:10, 22-27 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Robert Louis Stevenson tells of a delightful memory he had of a summer spent in northern Scotland wh
In San Francisco, California, St... -- Revelation 21:10, 22-27 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
In San Francisco, California, St.
Bernard L. Coffindaffer of Craigsville... -- Revelation 21:22-22:5 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Bernard L. Coffindaffer of Craigsville, West Virginia, is not exactly a household name.
Light is a constant reminder... -- Revelation 21:22-22:5 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Light is a constant reminder of God throughout scripture.
J. B. Phillips, the New... -- Revelation 21:22-22:5 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
J. B.

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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
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Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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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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