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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

We will need to talk... -- Deuteronomy 30:10-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
We will need to talk about the question of our reliance upon God's help to live as we should.
I am a planner at... -- Deuteronomy 30:10-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
I am a planner at heart, but just lately I have realized that there are times when you can over plan
Most people who have completed... -- Deuteronomy 30:10-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Most people who have completed a Ph.D. tell horror stories about the process. Jim was no different.
The mystic Hildegard expressed in... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
The mystic Hildegard expressed in graphic imagery the hope that is stored up for us in heaven.
Henry David Thoreau once said... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Henry David Thoreau once said, "The only way to speak the truth is to speak it lovingly." This quote
John is a member of... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
John is a member of our church council with many years of experience working with adolescents.
When Abraham Lincoln was brought... -- Colossians 1:15-20 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
When Abraham Lincoln was brought the Emancipation Proclamation to sign, he started several times to
The images which change, destroy... -- Colossians 1:15-20 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
The images which change, destroy, transform or enhance our lives are often operative at the subconsc
Our culture is, too often... -- Colossians 1:15-20 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Our culture is, too often, like the old Dutch fable of the spider who let itself down from the topmo
A young woman and her... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
A young woman and her three children came into the local food pantry at a downtown church.
In the story Shoeless... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
In the story Shoeless Joe, Ray Kinsella explains why baseball should be a good metaphor for l
George Webber, speaking out of... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
George Webber, speaking out of his experience as a pastor in the East Harlem Protestant Parish in Ne
In the early days of... -- 2 Kings 4:8-17 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
In the early days of television, there was a show called "The Millionaire." Each week the millionair
Elisha became the recipient of... -- 2 Kings 4:8-17 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Elisha became the recipient of a "wealthy" woman's kindness.
Ray Gaylord pastored the Cascade... -- 2 Kings 4:8-17 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Ray Gaylord pastored the Cascade Christian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for more than 30 years.
Years ago when our children... -- 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Years ago when our children were very small they would often ask us to tell them a story at bedtime.
Do you ever get the... -- Isaiah 66:10-14 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Do you ever get the feeling that when we humans talk about justice and judgments we are talking an e
On June 16, 1991, Cardinal... -- Isaiah 66:10-14 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
On June 16, 1991, Cardinal John J.
PrayerO... -- Isaiah 66:10-14 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Prayer"O Nourishing, Nurturing,Mothering God,
Have you ever experienced times... -- Isaiah 66:10-14 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Have you ever experienced times when God seemed hidden, if not altogether absent?
A friend once told me... -- Galatians 6:7-18 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
A friend once told me a story of a young African girl who attended church shortly after accepting Ch
A strange paradox in contemporary... -- Galatians 6:7-18 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
A strange paradox in contemporary living is our preoccupation with the problem of the risk.
High on a hill in... -- Galatians 6:7-18 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
High on a hill in the midst of the beautiful countryside of Northamptonshire, England, is an impress
Herman had grown up with... -- Galatians 2:11-21 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Herman had grown up with the understanding that nothing is free in this world.
When a well-known television... -- Galatians 2:11-21 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
When a well-known television evangelist was caught with a prostitute for the second time, I thought

Political Pulpit

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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
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27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
34 – Sermons
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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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