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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The best-laid plans ... often... -- Isaiah :1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
The best-laid plans ... often do not turn out as we expected.
The place was a suburb... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
The place was a suburb of Detroit. The speaker: Nobel Prize-winning novelist Elie Wiesel.
Immortality is not a Christian... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Immortality is not a Christian concept.
There is a tremendous power... -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
There is a tremendous power in seeing a complete reversal of an earlier decision.
Country singer Jeff Bates tells... -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Country singer Jeff Bates tells in a Reader's Digest article how his adoptive mother's love r
The preacher's son was in... -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
The preacher's son was in trouble at school.
Scott Adams, creator of the... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, was conducting his "Second Annual Highly Uns
A young man, not much... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
A young man, not much more than a boy, once approached the composer, W. A. Mozart.
Todd White gathered up the... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Todd White gathered up the five sixth-grade campers in his cabin and they set off into the woods of
Paul encourages us to put... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Paul encourages us to put to death the old so that the new might emerge.
I watched the ducks swim... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
I watched the ducks swim in the pond. The mother was first and the chicks followed in her wake.
Patrice Lumumba Moore ended up... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Patrice Lumumba Moore ended up in the intensive-care unit of St.
Confidence in those things that... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Confidence in those things that can ultimately disappoint is a natural human tendency.
America has become the parable... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
America has become the parable of the rich man. Look around!
Control, Alt, Delete. Anybody who's... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
"Control, Alt, Delete." Anybody who's used an IBM--compatible computer ---- along with one of the Wi
God's disgust with his people's... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
God's disgust with his people's filthy deeds was later mirrored by the disgust U.S.
Principal Gubbins called substitute teacher... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Principal Gubbins called substitute teacher Denise Roberts into his office.
After an organ transplant, doctors... -- John 14:23-29 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
"After an organ transplant, doctors must use anti-rejection drugs to suppress the immune system or e
The renowned sculptor, Michelangelo, was... -- John 14:23-29 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
The renowned sculptor, Michelangelo, was once assisted in his work by a marble-hewer.
Son, could you come in... -- John 14:23-29 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
"Son, could you come in here a moment please?"
Almost everyone has a favorite... -- John 14:23-29 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Almost everyone has a favorite teacher, a person whose love for their students was evident in how th
It takes courage, a sign... -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
It takes courage, a sign of true leadership, to go against the flow.
In the years leading up... -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
In the years leading up to the tragic conflict of the American Civil War, many pastors in the southe
It is becoming popular to... -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
It is becoming popular to write or have written your personal and family history.
A parishioner once told me... -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
A parishioner once told me that he liked the church (where I was the pastor) just the way it was ...

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

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
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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