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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Eric Sloane was a painter... -- Colossians 1:9-14 -- All Saints Day - B
Eric Sloane was a painter and a writer.
In 1910 the ship I... -- Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27 -- All Saints Day - B
In 1910 the ship Republic sank.
An old saint made a... -- Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27 -- All Saints Day - B
An old saint made a pilgrimage to a famous shrine and started home with a light he had kindled from
In an area near Bombay... -- Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27 -- All Saints Day - B
In an area near Bombay there were seven farmers. Each tilled an equal amount of land.
I enjoy the comic strip... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- All Saints Day - B
I enjoy the comic strip Andy Capp.
In his book, Great... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- All Saints Day - B
In his book, Great Themes Of The Bible, Louis A. Banks tells of Dwight L.
The arresting line in this... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- All Saints Day - B
The arresting line in this pericope is: "He is able ...
Napoleon's Faithbr... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- All Saints Day - B
Napoleon's Faith
These are they who have... -- Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 -- All Saints Day - B
"...
Since he had reluctantly re... -- Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 -- All Saints Day - B
Since he had reluctantly re-entered the "singles" world, he often found himself feeling lonely, left
Dr. Robert Schuller tells of... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Dr. Robert Schuller tells of a lady in his church whom he calls Mom Schug.
The apostle calls for songs... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
The apostle calls for songs from God's people to express their hope and encouragement for one anothe
During one of the welcome... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
During one of the "welcome home" ceremonies for Desert Storm troops, actor Glenn Ford told a true st
Verse 13 refers to Jesus... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Verse 13 refers to Jesus having trust in God.
The spring of 1991 brought... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
The spring of 1991 brought a series of disasters to the human community.
I once knew a man... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
I once knew a man who spent a long and uneventful life being afraid of death.
A coach once asked for... -- Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
A coach once asked for an explanation of the difference between power and authority.
Naomi was a most religious... -- Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Naomi was a most religious person.
You are familiar with the... -- Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
You are familiar with the expression, "Kids say the darndest things," or maybe the one that begins,
Slave versus Son: the way... -- Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Slave versus Son: the way we raise our families, how we relate to contemporaries, the integrity of o
A little boy who had... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
A little boy who had lost his tooth asked his mother, "Why do I get money if I put my tooth under my
Jane Brooks, writing in the... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Jane Brooks, writing in the "My Turn" column of Newsweek (April 29, 1991), calls herself one
Letting go. These are difficult... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
"Letting go." These are difficult words for anybody. They are particularly difficult for parents.
A story is told of... -- John 1:1-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
A story is told of a French lighthouse keeper who worked near Calais.
The gospels according to Matthew... -- John 1:1-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
The gospels according to Matthew, Mark and Luke have painstakingly provided us with as accurate an a

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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.

* * *

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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