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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

I have a basic distrust... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-18 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
I have a basic distrust for churches, which state on their bulletin boards or in their literature: "
Many find it difficult, if... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Many find it difficult, if not impossible, to love themselves.
Why is a prophet not... -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Why is a prophet not honored in his or her own home town?
The Lord has set you... -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
The Lord has set you firm within his Church, which he built upon the rock of Peter's faith.
A gardening neighbor told this... -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
A gardening neighbor told this story about her pea vines.
Even though the letter is... -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Even though the letter is a harsh response Paul uses the very familiar and intimate term "brethren."
David C. Egner wrote an... -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
David C. Egner wrote an article in Our Daily Bread about evangelist Fred Brown.
There is an old myth... -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
There is an old myth that says when the end times come a golden thread will be drawn across a valley
There is only one gospel... -- Galatians 1:1-10 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
There is only one gospel of Christ but in its proclamation through the centuries the good news is ex
Many Christians today are nonplussed... -- Galatians 1:1-10 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Many Christians today are nonplussed by the society to which they should address the gospel.
In the life of every... -- Galatians 1:1-10 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
In the life of every Christian there comes a time when she or he will try to revise the gospel in an
When the equipment at the... -- Luke 9:18-24 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
When the equipment at the photo lab was working properly, the job almost became monotonous as the pr
The Christian Church (Disciples of... -- Luke 9:18-24 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) recently changed its procedures for the election of a gen
It is the hardest thing... -- Luke 9:18-24 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
It is the hardest thing in the world to have good news turn into bad news.
Could it be that we... -- Luke 9:18-24 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Could it be that we have placed the wrong emphasis by spending much time and effort in "getting righ
From the hellish scenes of... -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
From the hellish scenes of World War II in Poland comes the story of Yitzak, a Jewish physician who,
In my fourth year of... -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
In my fourth year of theology I was blessed to have a gifted teacher who was able to draw out of us
Raised in Michigan where entire... -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Raised in Michigan where entire choirs of summertime frogs sing in bogs beside country roads, I miss
Many people don't realize that... -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Many people don't realize that one of the great genius insights of the Old Testament and Jews is the
Clark Clifford, counsel to a... -- 1 Kings 19:1-14 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Clark Clifford, counsel to a number of American presidents during the past 40 years, and an eminent
Jeffrey Archer has given us... -- 1 Kings 19:1-14 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Jeffrey Archer has given us one more exciting tale in the breathtaking novel, A Matter of Honor
The New Revised Standard Version... -- 1 Kings 19:1-14 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible translates v. 12b.
It had been 30 years... -- 1 Kings 8:(22-23, 27-30) 41-43 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
It had been 30 years since he had walked down the aisle the first time.
Contrary to what some may... -- 1 Kings 8:(22-23, 27-30) 41-43 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Contrary to what some may think, speaking of the inclusive nature of God's love is not an innovation
One of the most exciting... -- 1 Kings 8:(22-23, 27-30), 41-43 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
One of the most exciting experiences we have had in recent years was sharing in a month of mission w

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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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