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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

When the New Testament speaks... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2008
When the New Testament speaks of ministering to the saints, it means not primarily preaching to them
Image is brass, reputation is... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2008
"Image is brass, reputation is silver, character is gold." Paul becomes all things to all people, ch
Paul proudly declares that he... -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2008
Paul proudly declares that he has become all things to all people. "How can this be?" we ask.
Get lost! We've all heard... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2008
"Get lost!" We've all heard those words -- though, maybe not recently.
A one-legged schoolteacher from... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2008
A one-legged schoolteacher from Scotland came to J.
Some wish to live within... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2008
Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a ya
Kenny could hardly wait for... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2008
Kenny could hardly wait for the youth fellowship's winter retreat.
According to psychologist, Hara Estroff... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2008
According to psychologist, Hara Estroff Marano, one of the ways that humans can cope with the pressu
In the movie, Overboard, Joanna... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
In the movie, Overboard, Joanna Stayton was a rich, spoiled heiress who fell "overboard" from
Abraham Lincoln's secretary of war... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Abraham Lincoln's secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, was angered by an army officer who accused him of
The great Italian conductor, Arturo... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
The great Italian conductor, Arturo Toscanini, was legendary for his fits of rage.
We want to show off... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
We want to show off.
Naaman and his army had... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Naaman and his army had recently conquered Israel, bringing home a girl to be his wife's servant.
Failure, they say, is the... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
"Failure," they say, "is the path of least persistence." That truth was demonstrated in the movie,
The job of a football... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what t
Lanny Bassham, Olympic gold-medalist... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Lanny Bassham, Olympic gold-medalist in small-bore rifle competition, tells what concentration does
Taylor recalls his high school... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Taylor recalls his high school wrestling coach whose goal was to make his students both tougher and
Everyone knows that to be... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Everyone knows that to be a top level athlete takes talent mixed with lots of hard work.
The RSV maintains a more... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
The RSV maintains a more literal translation of the leper's words, "If you will, you can make
Booker T. Washington describes meeting... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Booker T.
During World War II, Winston... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
During World War II, Winston Churchill was forced to make a painful choice.
Pastor Stephey Bilynskyj, starts each... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Pastor Stephey Bilynskyj, starts each confirmation class with a jar full of beans.
Haley is the smart one... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Haley is the "smart one" at school.
Joanne was a wife, mother... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Joanne was a wife, mother, and foster mother.
Don't step on the crack... -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2008
"Don't step on the crack, or you'll break your mother's back!" No wonder children are afraid to step

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

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For August 17, 2025:
  • When Good News Is Bad News by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Charles Darwin believed that the two most significant achievements in human history were the development of language and the harnessing of fire. Today we apply both, language and the symbol of fire, to our understanding of the gospel.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Isaiah 5:1-7
David Coffin
When does the status quo no longer seem to be working? In her book, The Last Flight Julie Clark begins with the seemingly flawlessly choreographed life of Claire Cook, the wife of a wealthy politician at the peak of this political dynasty. Despite the elegant surroundings of the Manhattan townhouse, staff of ten servants, life behind closed doors is different. Her husband Rory has a hot temper, and is abusive. There is also the memory of the mysterious death of his first wife.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? (Jeremiah 23:26)

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:56)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A fire extinguisher.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started. But I need to warn you that this is a really strange story. At least the things that Jesus says sound really strange. But let’s see if we can figure out what the story is really all about.

(Show the fire extinguisher.)  This is a little reminder that sometimes it is really hard to follow Jesus and do what he wants us to do!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that life would not be easy for Christians, but calls us to stand up for our beliefs. In our worship today let us acknowledge and explore the difficulties of standing as a Christian in today's society.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we find it easier to go with the flow than to stand against other people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the number of people who ignore you.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Advent 4, Cycle A, and Advent 1, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)

William E. Keeney
49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her
Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage is famously known as Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard." It begins with the prophet singing, in what we would describe as troubadour-fashion, a love song about his dod, his friend, the beloved. Everyone is interested in a love affair, of course, and so the song is intended to capture the interest of Isaiah's listeners.
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
What can faith do? It can part a raging sea and allow a nation to walk through. What can faith do? It can knock down the walls of a fortified city so that God can prove a point. What can faith do? It can single out a woman who follows God's lead and protect her from certain death. Today many people are into "reality" television shows where individuals are put to extreme tests. We watch them because we like to see others battle against great odds and come out victorious.

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