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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A preacher usually groans when... -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
A preacher usually groans when it is discovered that the sermon text for Sunday is Jesus' strict tea
Max Lucado, in his book... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - C
Max Lucado, in his book, On the Anvil, uses the image of blacksmith's anvil to understand the
It is a comforting Christian... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - C
It is a comforting Christian doctrine to realize that there is no automatic connection between our m
Truck-stop Chaplain Charlie was... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - C
Truck-stop Chaplain Charlie was sitting with a distraught young man in a McDonalds just off Route 80
After a football game between... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - C
After a football game between seventh graders, a furious father awaited the coach.
I beautify the table! the... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - C
"I beautify the table!" the full flower vase said to the gravy bowl.
The Christ-hymn celebrates the... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - C
The Christ-hymn celebrates the servant attitude of Jesus.
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - C
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder is the story of Dr.
On a tour of a... -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Passion Sunday - C
On a tour of a local nursing home, a middle-aged man was considering whether or not to move his aili
Biographers are witnesses in print... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Easter Day - C
Biographers are witnesses in print.
Few things are as powerful... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Easter Day - C
Few things are as powerful as the announcement of forgiveness.
The Gemini Contenders by Robert... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Easter Day - C
The Gemini Contenders by Robert Ludlum is a suspenseful novel.
Tom and Dick Smothers, the... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Easter Day - C
Tom and Dick Smothers, the Smothers Brothers, got a lot of laughs from their routine about "Mom alwa
So to suggest in the... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Easter Day - C
"So to suggest in the early going of grief that the dead body is 'just' anything rings as tinny in i
At the close of every... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Easter Day - C
At the close of every college football season, the debate begins to rage: Who is Number One?
Augustyn, a nursing home resident... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Easter Day - C
Augustyn, a nursing home resident I met while visiting there, tells this story from his childhood in
I have been taken totally... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
I have been taken totally by surprise several times in my life: when she announced she was pregnant
James Randi, the Amazing Randi... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
James Randi, "the Amazing Randi," has devoted his life to exposing hoaxes and frauds.
There is an incredible power... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
There is an incredible power to visual confirmation.
Before going on vacation we... -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Before going on vacation we have to find someone to take care of our pets while we are gone.
As customer service supervisor for... -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
As customer service supervisor for Kunkle's Department Store, Bob had read letters like this before.
When I was a young... -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
When I was a young boy, my parents would often invite our pastor and his family to Sunday dinner at
It was just an ordinary... -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
It was just an ordinary doll, but Sarah loved it.
A gentleman had a rather... -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
A gentleman had a rather simple operation but the wound refused to heal.
Harry Chapin wrote a song... -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Harry Chapin wrote a song in the 1970s called "The Rock" about a huge rock that sat high above the t

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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
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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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