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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Every sermon should have an... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - B
Every sermon should have an introduction and Jesus, ever the masterful homiletician, gave us a gripp
The surprise of the Beatitudes... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - B
The surprise of the Beatitudes is that God should be revealed in such a common state of existence ..
You are not far from... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- All Saints Day - B
"You are not far from the kingdom," Jesus said.
Martin Luther wrote: I will... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- All Saints Day - B
Martin Luther wrote: "I will give myself as a sort of Christ to my neighbor as Christ gave himself f
Roy Malone, a reporter for... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- All Saints Day - B
Roy Malone, a reporter for the St.
Brother John, a devoted missionary... -- Mark 12:28-34 -- All Saints Day - B
Brother John, a devoted missionary, had labored for more than 50 years in a southern area of Africa,
Every congregation standing on the... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Every congregation standing on the threshold of a capital campaign or the challenge of a greatly inc
The widow of Zarephath had... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
The widow of Zarephath had only a handful of meal, of which she intended to make a small cake of bre
Arlene was depressed. Ever since... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Arlene was depressed.
As a child I distinctly... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
As a child I distinctly remember that moment when my mother would spoon out the portions of dessert
John Wesley always thought he... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
John Wesley always thought he had faith until the time he was on board a ship returning to England f
Two facets stand out in... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Two facets stand out in this account.
Just at the time that... -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Just at the time that the widow has given up hope of having enough to eat, Elijah comes along and te
Albrecht Durer was a poor... -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Albrecht Durer was a poor man. He struggled to become an artist.
Rabindranath Tagore was from Calcutta... -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Rabindranath Tagore was from Calcutta, and perhaps one of India's greatest authors.
Henry J. Heinz is best... -- Deuteronomy 6:1-9 -- All Saints Day - C
Henry J. Heinz is best known for his "57 Varieties" of foods and seasonings.
On reading this pericope one... -- Deuteronomy 6:2-6 -- All Saints Day - B
On reading this pericope one notes that verses 6 and 7 are inseparable, for verse 7 is the practical
A friend joked that he... -- Deuteronomy 6:2-6 -- All Saints Day - B
A friend joked that he was a typical absent-minded professor.
As the son of a... -- Deuteronomy 6:2-6 -- All Saints Day - B
As the son of a police chief I learned very early in life about the necessity of laws for the protec
Mindy had been especially close... -- Ecclesiastics 44:1-10, 13-14 -- All Saints Day - B
Mindy had been especially close to her grandparents, so it was not surprising that she would accept
Of some few it may... -- Ecclesiastics 44:1-10, 13-14 -- All Saints Day - B
Of some few it may be said in the end, as is said here, "Their bodies are buried in peace; but their
Who will be remembered after... -- Ecclesiastics 44:1-10, 13-14 -- All Saints Day - B
Who will be remembered after death and for what?
Ben Sirach gives sound advice... -- Ecclesiastics 44:1-10, 13-14 -- All Saints Day - B
Ben Sirach gives sound advice.
Lutheran churches in Germany announce... -- Colossians 1:9-14 -- All Saints Day - B
Lutheran churches in Germany announce their worship service as Gottesdienst.
One could overlook the deeper... -- Colossians 1:9-14 -- All Saints Day - B
One could overlook the deeper dimension of the Greek word translated as "patience" in verse 11.

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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 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
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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...

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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.

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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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