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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

An old, moldy story has... -- Galatians 2:11-21 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
An old, moldy story has circulated since the Second World War that the leaders of the Allied Nations
When the Lord instructs the... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
When the Lord instructs the 70 to "eat what is set before you," both humorous and sad stories come t
An unusual member of the... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
An unusual member of the plant kingdom, the mimosa or sensitive plant avoids relationship with any o
In each person's life there... -- Luke 10:1-2, 17-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
In each person's life there are three stages.
Many of the members of... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Many of the members of churches are somewhat disdainful of Mormons.
Two young men were out... -- Luke 7:36-50 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Two young men were out jogging. One asked the other why he seemed so gloomy.
The woman in Simon's house... -- Luke 7:36-50 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
The woman in Simon's house was not forgiven because she loved much.
In the 1950s C. S... -- Luke 7:36-50 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
In the 1950s C. S. Lewis carried on a correspondence with a woman in America who was seriously ill.
Hey, that's not fair!br... -- Luke 7:36-50 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
"Hey, that's not fair!"
We have all heard the... -- Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
We have all heard the child's disclaimer, "He made me do it!" A junior high teacher tells the story
Charles Schulz once drew a... -- Ezekiel 18:10-9, 25-29 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Charles Schulz once drew a "Peanuts" cartoon that demonstrated how people don't like to take respons
The child in us remembers... -- Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
The child in us remembers trying to jump away from our shadow on a sunny day.
One of our historical favorites... -- Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
One of our historical favorites is Abraham Lincoln.
Henry G. Bosch wrote in... -- Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Henry G. Bosch wrote in Our Daily Bread about Booker T. Washington, the black educator.
The great artist Whistler was... -- Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
The great artist Whistler was attempting to help a painter friend of his in getting his work display
In 1913, after serving as... -- Ecclesiastes 10:(7-11) 12-18 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
In 1913, after serving as President of the United States, William Howard Taft accepted a position at
Taylor Caldwell's novel, Testimony... -- Ecclesiastes 10:(7-11) 12-18 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Taylor Caldwell's novel, Testimony of Two Men, is the story of a complex young medic at the t
To a large extent the... -- Ecclesiastes 10:(7-11) 12-18 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
To a large extent the personality of America can be summed up in the word, "Pride." Patriotism is ce
For several years I've had... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
For several years I've had the privilege of serving on the board of our regional Mental Health Assoc
Integrity is what we need... -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Integrity is what we need and are expected to have. Jezebel did not have integrity.
There are times when land... -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
There are times when land is more than just a commodity to be bought and sold.
The urge to own something... -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
The urge to own something that belongs to someone else is a powerful one.
Mary Johnson is 88 years... -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Mary Johnson is 88 years old.
Was I to blame for... -- 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
"Was I to blame for this, God?" Ralph asked first when his son contracted an incurable disease.
Authority at its best is... -- 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Authority at its best is something that can be given, but can never be taken.

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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