Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

There was a college... -- 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 -- All Saints Day - A
There was a college student who said she did not believe in God.
A few years ago the... -- 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 -- All Saints Day - A
A few years ago the posters of Sister Corita were nearly ubiquitous around the church in publication
Pope John Paul II created... -- 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 -- All Saints Day - A
Pope John Paul II created a stir with his encyclical, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (Social Concer
In the dry and desolate... -- John 7:37-39a -- Day of Pentecost - B
In the dry and desolate region alongside the Dead Sea -- a place of rock and salt and dust -- one co
If any one thirst, let... -- John 7:37-39a -- Day of Pentecost - B
"If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink." (v. 37b)
John records Jesus' first words... -- John 20:19-23 -- Day of Pentecost - B
John records Jesus' first words after the resurrection: "Peace ... peace ...
Have you ever known anyone... -- John 20:19-23 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Have you ever known anyone with agoraphobia? This is an irrational fear or dread of open places.
Peace be with you. (vv... -- John 20:19-23 -- Day of Pentecost - B
"Peace be with you." (vv. 19, 21)
Jesus had an intimate and... -- John 20:19-23 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Jesus had an intimate and special relationship with the disciples.
What happens when we fail... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
What happens when we fail in the work of the Lord -- when there is a mega-effort and a mini-return?
On December 14, 1986, two... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
On December 14, 1986, two courageous flyers, Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan, boarded their now-famous a
Isaiah was moved by the... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Isaiah was moved by the power of a vision, a dream. It stood him on his feet and got him going.
It was a cold, rainy... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
It was a cold, rainy, January day.
Around the thirteenth century B.C... -- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Around the thirteenth century B.C., a group of Semitic tribesmen, descendants of the Patriarch Abrah
Less than two years after... -- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Less than two years after the takeover by Fidel Castro, a Cuban pastor wrote to a friend in the Stat
How much do you know... -- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
How much do you know about the culture in which you live?
Luther, in commenting on this... -- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Luther, in commenting on this text, states that "No one can have one God unless he clings to Him alo
My confirmation class sits before... -- Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
My confirmation class sits before me: restless, inquisitive, likable seventh graders.
My Hindu friend and I... -- Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
My Hindu friend and I had wiled away the afternoon, drinking coffee and discussing our respective cu
One theologian used to sum... -- Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
One theologian used to sum up his Christian faith in these words: "There is a Father in heaven who l
This Old Testament Lesson has... -- Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
This Old Testament Lesson has obviously been chosen to fit a Trinitarian theme.
Moses must have felt that... -- Exodus 3:1-6 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Moses must have felt that the adventures of his life were over.
Have you ever stood in... -- Exodus 3:1-6 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Have you ever stood in a holy place?
Some quotes to quicken our... -- Exodus 3:1-6 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Some quotes to quicken our minds about "the burning-bush" experience of Moses:
Estrangements come easily. And quickly... -- John 17:11b-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Estrangements come easily. And quickly.

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?

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL