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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

John Masefield, in Act II... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - C
John Masefield, in Act II of his play The Trial of Jesus, has Procula, the wife of Pontius Pi
A humorous children's book, called... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - C
A humorous children's book, called Miss Nelson is Missing tells about an elementary school cl
How do we recognize the... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - C
"How do we recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives?" This question appears in "The Ca
On a farm near ours... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - C
On a farm near ours where I grew up there lived a man who had a son.
Psychotherapist Scott Peck tells the... -- Proverbs 8:22-31 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Psychotherapist Scott Peck tells the story of a young woman who was one of his patients.
A favorite party game is... -- Genesis 11:1-9 -- Day of Pentecost - C
A favorite party game is Telephone.
An old fable told about... -- Genesis 11:1-9 -- Day of Pentecost - C
An old fable told about two ducks and a frog. They often played together in a small pond.
Herb Miller tells the story... -- Genesis 11:1-9 -- Day of Pentecost - C
Herb Miller tells the story of a church executive who made a reservation for him and his family to s
Edward White tells of growing... -- Acts 2:1-11 -- Day of Pentecost - C
Edward White tells of growing up in Boston as an ardent Boston Red Sox fan, and an even more ardent
God's deeds of power come... -- Acts 2:1-11 -- Day of Pentecost - C
God's deeds of power come to us through the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The pastor stepped out of... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 -- Day of Pentecost - C
The pastor stepped out of the pulpit after preaching on this text. He then
Since junior high, Colleen has... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 -- Day of Pentecost - C
Since junior high, Colleen has wanted to be a physical therapist.
Folks are not always as... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 -- Day of Pentecost - C
Folks are not always as they seem.
Have our members ever been... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 -- Day of Pentecost - C
Have our members ever been confronted by other Christians who doubt that the Spirit is active in the
What a year! We had... -- 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
"What a year! We had our baby, Johnny.
After years of keeping it... -- 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
After years of keeping it a secret from herself, Jurene allowed herself to remember the incest.
God is foolish, God gave... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
God is foolish, God gave fish noses but they breathe through gills; God is wise, fish smell with the
Viewed from an historical point... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Viewed from an historical point of view, the life of Jesus is the silly story of a foolhardy, imprac
The figure of the clown... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
The figure of the clown has gained increased significance in worship services during the last decade
If God could not look... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
"If God could not look on in anguish while Abraham sacrificed his son, would he then have suffered h
Lewis Smedes tells the story... -- Luke 15:11-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Lewis Smedes tells the story of going one hot summer afternoon to visit at the Los Angeles County ja
Max Weber was one of... -- Luke 15:11-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Max Weber was one of the first sociologists to make a serious study of the relationship between soci
An Air Force major was... -- Genesis 11:1-9 -- Day of Pentecost - C
An Air Force major was promoted to colonel and was moved into a brand new office.
Pope John Paul II created... -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Pope John Paul II created a stir with the encyclical, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (Social Concer
I think I was closest... -- Isaiah 12:1-6 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
I think I was closest to my father on the day he was angriest with me.

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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