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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sabina Hayes, the daughter of... -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Sabina Hayes, the daughter of a Methodist missionary who served in the Belgian Congo prior to the re
Reverend John Harris made a... -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Reverend John Harris made a bold move in his first month as senior pastor of Central Presbyterian Ch
The members of St. Luke's... -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
The members of St. Luke's had worshiped in the basement of the church for over 10 years.
So, what happened? Ann was... -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
"So, what happened?" Ann was eager to find out about Janet's date.
The Foreign Service Institute is... -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
The Foreign Service Institute is the United States government's primary training institution for pre
When Tim Lefens, an artist... -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
When Tim Lefens, an artist whose paintings had been shown in several New York galleries, learned tha
I feel like a new... -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
"I feel like a new man!" "I feel like a new woman." The television ads bombard us with promises that
Darla was a typical teenage... -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Darla was a typical teenage girl until she met Luke.
Oliver Wendell Holmes once said... -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Oliver Wendell Holmes once said that trouble makes us one with every human being in the world.
Unable to take his Spanish... -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Unable to take his Spanish royalties out of the country, the English writer, Somerset Maugham, decid
When Douglas Corrigan climbed into... -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
When Douglas Corrigan climbed into his airplane cockpit, he had no idea his name would become a hous
Since the state of Israel... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Since the state of Israel has had control of the Negev, a miracle has occurred.
Few things amaze so much... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Few things amaze so much as "a new thing." A fascinating book published in the last few years is
Since 1997, the U.S. Forest... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Since 1997, the U.S.
My brother and I were... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
My brother and I were on a canoe trip in Canada, and we had gone for an entire day without seeing an
During the Revolutionary War, a... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
During the Revolutionary War, a group of Continental Army soldiers was struggling to lift a heavy lo
John McCormack, a U.S. operatic... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
John McCormack, a U.S.
Probably no modern person exemplifies... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Probably no modern person exemplifies Paul's straining forward to the goal better than Martin Luther
Extravagance has never had a... -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Extravagance has never had a great appeal for me.
Perhaps you have heard the... -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Perhaps you have heard the story. Charles Kuralt told about it in his travel book of 1985.
Anointing Jesus with the ointment... -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Anointing Jesus with the ointment was an act of extravagant faith.
We can't afford that. Arden... -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
"We can't afford that." Arden looked rather sullen.
Entering a crowded restaurant with... -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Entering a crowded restaurant with a friend, film star Gregory Peck found no table available.
On a very dark night... -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
On a very dark night, astronomers estimate that you can clearly see 1,000 to 1,500 stars, excluding
A few years ago an... -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
A few years ago an audiotape manufacturer ran a commercial with the question, "Is it live or is it M

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
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Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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31 – Commentary / Exegesis
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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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