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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

I want them out!br... -- Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
"I want them out!"
A close friend and physician... -- Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
A close friend and physician confessed to the problems he incurs with speeding tickets.
Barbara was hopping mad! The... -- Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Barbara was hopping mad!
Someone asked John Fitzgerald Kennedy... -- Proverbs 25:6-7 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Someone asked John Fitzgerald Kennedy why he chose the office of the presidency of the United States
Throughout history every culture and... -- Proverbs 25:6-7 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Throughout history every culture and society has had its sages.
A number of years ago... -- Proverbs 25:6-7 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
A number of years ago, a movie was made about a college professor who took advantage of his summer b
The judge debated about the... -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
The judge debated about the sentence.
In a Kentucky city in... -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
In a Kentucky city in the 1950s, one of the most influential and notorious men in the state died aft
According to his own admission... -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
According to his own admission, Mark was as bad as they came. He did drugs, smoked and drank.
A swearing, seafaring man who... -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
A swearing, seafaring man who found more profit in transporting human slave cargo than material good
Are you tired of God... -- Sirach 10:(7-11) 12-18 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Are you tired of God? Are you weary of all the rules and regulations that God wants you to live by?
Bent Decker, in his book... -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Bent Decker, in his book You've Got To Be Believed To Be Heard, presents research that shows
An angel is a messenger... -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
An angel is a messenger from God.
The letter in the mail... -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
The letter in the mail from a close friend read, "Help. Been trying to reach you. Please call.
Marty was a small man... -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Marty was a small man, rather quiet and shy, with a huge heart.
Can we imagine what it... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Can we imagine what it would be like if all of us here in this church today began to take seriously
John Selden, an English lawyer... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
John Selden, an English lawyer of the seventeenth century, wrote, "Humility is a virtue all preach,
We are at war with... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
We are at war with our environment. We have hunted whales almost to the point of extinction.
In a metropolitan area of... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
In a metropolitan area of the Northeast, there is a soup kitchen.
An ancient legend tells about... -- Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
An ancient legend tells about the origin of humanity.
In a small seminary the... -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
In a small seminary the graduate students were required to participate in a "most original sermon" c
If you ever have the... -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
If you ever have the chance to work at a potter's wheel, take it.
God has a wonderful way... -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
God has a wonderful way using seemingly simple, everyday things to convey to us profound messages be
A man came to see... -- Wisdom 9:13-18 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
A man came to see the pastor of a large congregation. This man was not a member of the church.
Mickey Thomas was a young... -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Mickey Thomas was a young architect who had worked diligently toward excellence throughout his years

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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