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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In his book Why Religion... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
In his book Why Religion Matters, Huston Smith describes four spiritual personality types.
February 9, 1964 was the... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
February 9, 1964 was the date that the Beatles first entered American homes via appearing on the
Some 10 to 14 million... -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Some 10 to 14 million people in the United States, and some 10 to 20 percent of the world's populati
My favorite children's book is... -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
My favorite children's book is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good Very Bad Day by
There is an old legend... -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
There is an old legend, of mysterious origin.
The entertainer, Groucho Marx, once... -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
The entertainer, Groucho Marx, once sent a telegram to the exclusive Friar's Club in Hollywood, to w
Lawyers have a reputation for... -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Lawyers have a reputation for being wordy.
A child under the age... -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
A child under the age of 18 is a minor.
I don't want to go... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
"I don't want to go home." The plaintiff cry was a familiar one at the end of camp week.
The encounter with a transformed... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
The encounter with a transformed life is powerful to those who know a person well.
According to the General Accounting... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
According to the General Accounting Office, identity theft has grown rapidly.
I arranged for a plant... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
I arranged for a "plant" in the worship service.
This passage tells of the... -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
This passage tells of the strong mentor relationship between Elijah and his young protÈgÈ, Elisha.
The prophet Elijah may have... -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
The prophet Elijah may have ended his career feeling as though he hadn't come close to finishing his
In the 2001 football season... -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
In the 2001 football season, Drew Bledsoe, then quarterback of the New England Patriots, took a vici
The passing of the mantel... -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
The passing of the mantel from one generation to another, or from one hand to another, be it a proph
What do you think of... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
What do you think of when you hear the word freedom?
The final scene of the... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
The final scene of the movie, Cold Mountain, is a powerful one set around the dinner table on
William Penn lived and worked... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
William Penn lived and worked for the cause of freedom.
My freshman English teacher in... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
My freshman English teacher in college was a tenured professor who was simply taking his turn to tea
If Jesus were in charge... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
"If Jesus were in charge of an average congregation I figure there would be about four people left t
God calls all of us... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
God calls all of us to be proclaimers.
The Ford Taurus with the... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
The Ford Taurus with the "Driver Education Class" sticker on the trunk pulled out of the high-school
Jesus set his face to... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem, and nothing or nobody could stop him.
Norman Vincent Peale tells of... -- Acts 9:36-43 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Norman Vincent Peale tells of two sad characters from Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment: the

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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
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Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
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27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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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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