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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

My friend sat with tears... -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
My friend sat with tears in her eyes as she explained her experience in Rwanda.
HarvestInvitation is... -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
HarvestInvitation is extended to participate,to join the feast already spread.
At least every ten years... -- Amos 8:4-7 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
At least every ten years the famous fable of Robin Hood is remade into a new movie.
It was 2 a.m. when... -- Amos 8:4-7 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
It was 2 a.m. when the woman strode into the Emergency Room with the feverish child.
Occasionally Carl Sagan, the astronomist... -- Amos 8:4-7 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Occasionally Carl Sagan, the astronomist and space scientist at Cornell University, writes an articl
The woman looked lovingly at... -- Proverbs 9:8-12 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
The woman looked lovingly at her granddaughter, Jenny. She enjoyed her visits.
Greg Anderson, author of I... -- Proverbs 9:8-12 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Greg Anderson, author of The Triumphant Patient (Nelson Publishers, 1992), tells the story of
A minister had been selected... -- Proverbs 9:8-12 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
A minister had been selected to appear on a national television quiz show and for days before his ap
It never ceases to amaze... -- Proverbs 9:8-12 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
It never ceases to amaze me when two people listen to the same instructions and hear two completely
A pastor in a small... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
A pastor in a small town once remarked that people would often stop him in the street or in the stor
The assignment for the fifth... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
The assignment for the fifth graders was to write an essay about making the world a better place in
Recently the public was invited... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Recently the public was invited to send financial contributions to the President of the United State
After the end of the... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
After the end of the Falkland Islands war, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher asked Robert Run
Jennifer was tired of saying... -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Jennifer was tired of saying no to that which she really wanted to do.
One of the most brilliant... -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
One of the most brilliant men I've ever met was also the epitome of lost causes and dashed hopes.
Many retirees hold younger welfare... -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Many retirees hold younger welfare recipients in contempt, because they are receiving benefits that
Reconciliation can be a difficult... -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Reconciliation can be a difficult and painful process, even in the best of circumstances.
Sally had to be right... -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Sally had to be right, no matter what the issue, no matter what the situation.
In October 1972, a huge... -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
In October 1972, a huge crowd gathered at the Auschwitz extermination camp to honor a Franciscan pri
Peter was the talk of... -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Peter was the talk of the neighborhood. He was building a house. Building it all by himself.
Hate my father, my mother... -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
"Hate my father, my mother, my whole family?" he cried.
A young girl was nagging... -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
A young girl was nagging her mother to take her to the movies.
Marty was proud of his... -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Marty was proud of his new home.
The prophet paints a very... -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
The prophet paints a very dismal picture of the world and those who live in it. What's new?
Great executives know where they... -- Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Great executives know where they are headed and are usually very decisive and hard-headed people.

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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