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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

After centuries and millennia of... -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
After centuries and millennia of reflecting upon the order of creation, one would think we have a pr
Few people have been celebrated... -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Few people have been celebrated for their intellect and wisdom as much as Sir Isaac Newton.
Booker T. Washington probably did... -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Booker T.
One of my retired pastor... -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
One of my retired pastor friends fell in love with the book of Proverbs early in his career.
In her quirky but wonderful... -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
In her quirky but wonderful book, Mutant Message Down Under, Dr.
The apostle calls believers to... -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
The apostle calls believers to suffer, because it helps us to endure -- and endurance builds charact
The high school swim team... -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
The high school swim team of State College, Pennsylvania, is both hated and respected in Western Pen
Sarah was an abused woman... -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Sarah was an abused woman, physically and psychologically.
The game-ending buzzer sounded... -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
The game-ending buzzer sounded once again just as Jason hit is heart-stopping jumper from the base l
One of the most compelling... -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
One of the most compelling religious paintings in the world is Rembrandt's depiction of Jesus' Pr
In the short span of... -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
In the short span of just ten years, some 80 million people have read the more than 70 Chicken So
I built a dining room... -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
I built a dining room hutch for my wife several years ago.
Throughout my consulting ministry, writes... -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
"Throughout my consulting ministry," writes William Easum, "I have seen a disturbing pattern: Most e
Ahab stole Naboth's vineyard, first... -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Ahab stole Naboth's vineyard, first by framing him and then by having him murdered.
Joyce Reed of the Reed... -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Joyce Reed of the Reed and Bennett Real Estate agency pulled into the McKenzie farm, opened the rick
In December 2002, Fred Zain... -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
In December 2002, Fred Zain died.
It was a totally new... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
It was a totally new way of looking at the world.
In the third film of... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
In the third film of the Indiana Jones series there is an excellent visual depiction of faith near t
Daniel Ellsberg, best known for... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Daniel Ellsberg, best known for his publication of the Pentagon Papers during the Nixon administrati
Do you know a very... -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Do you know a very helpful definition of the word "misunderstanding"?
The Pharisees were offended at... -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
The Pharisees were offended at the unpredictability of Jesus' ragtag band of followers, especially t
As often as we seek... -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
As often as we seek forgiveness, it is God's wish and pleasure to grant it.
Forgiveness is a concept that... -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Forgiveness is a concept that human beings have always had trouble comprehending.
Julia came to town as... -- Luke 7:36-8:3 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Julia came to town as a young war bride fresh from England, 21-years-old and pregnant.
God has raised up prophets... -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
God has raised up prophets in every age and in every country to proclaim "the word of the Lord." Man

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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