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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

So often when the call... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
So often when the call of God comes to us we are filled with fear.
God calls each one of... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
God calls each one of us to a special mission in life.
The Marines are looking for... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
The Marines are looking for a "few good men." The U.S.
Herman Wouk, a Jewish writer... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Herman Wouk, a Jewish writer and high moralist, is a storyteller second to none.
How long has it been... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
How long has it been since you have heard the ringing of a real telephone bell?
On this February Sunday, let... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
On this February Sunday, let us think of a hot summer day in Southeast Missouri.
A true story of heroic... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
A true story of heroic rescue was dramatized on television.
As Christians we know we... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
As Christians we know we are called to love.
My father used to say... -- 1 Corinthians 14:12b-20 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
My father used to say that a great deal more would get done if people weren't so concerned about who
Several of us seniors at... -- 1 Corinthians 14:12b-20 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Several of us seniors at the seminary were swapping tales about our experiences as interns the prece
The Speaker's Lifetime LibraryI... -- 1 Corinthians 14:12b-20 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
The Speaker's Lifetime Library notes that February 3 has a very special name
Of all places, in the... -- 1 Corinthians 14:12b-20 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Of all places, in the church caring folk must meet each other with as clear a message as possible.
Have you ever watched the... -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Have you ever watched the television program, "Name That Tune?" One portion of the program is when t
Folk wisdom has it: we... -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Folk wisdom has it: we can lose all the battles and still win the war.
At the funeral service the... -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
At the funeral service the pastor said, "We shall remember Emily as a steadfast Christian." For many
Chronology cannot contain the events... -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
"Chronology cannot contain the events of the Resurrection anymore than paper can contain a fire."
Vaccines work in an interesting... -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Vaccines work in an interesting way, as most of you probably know.
I have always found this... -- Luke 19:11-27 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
I have always found this passage to be one of the most difficult in all the New Testament.
There is a woman who... -- Luke 19:11-27 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
There is a woman who feels called to the ordained ministry, but she isn't sure if she should go to s
A young man accepted for... -- Luke 19:11-27 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
A young man accepted for the African missionary field reported at New York for "passage," but found
The most talented and accomplished... -- Luke 19:11-27 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
The most talented and accomplished musicians are the ones that are most apt to put in hours of pract
The majority of this passage... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
The majority of this passage is the heroic account of David's coronation by an editor who uses an ea
When President Dwight D. Eisenhower... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
When President Dwight D.
The United States Constitution states... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
The United States Constitution states: "No person except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the
Back in 1948 Cleveland Indians... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Back in 1948 Cleveland Indians' fan Joe Earley became concerned that too many perks were being showe

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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
George Reed
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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