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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

1 Kings 8 is a... -- 1 Kings 8:(22-23, 27-30), 41-43 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
1 Kings 8 is a rebuke to those who would seek to contain God within the church or creed or denominat
when they look on the... -- Zechariah 12:10-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
"...
Prayers for a Planetary... -- Zechariah 12:10-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim by Edwards Hays contains "A Psalm of the Prophet Summer:"
Long months after a friend... -- Zechariah 12:10-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Long months after a friend lost a 30-year-old son to an untimely death as a result of unresolved war
This scripture emerges from the... -- Zechariah 12:10-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
This scripture emerges from the awful recognition that a prophet or king has been martyred by the ci
In his book, Living... -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
In his book, Living in Sin? (Harper San Francisco, 1988), Bishop John Shelby Spong writes of
I believe it is the... -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
"I believe it is the image of whole men and women living the precepts of the gospel that is the grea
U.S. News and World... -- Proverbs 8:22-31 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
U.S. News and World Report editorialized on a picture sent from a shuttle flight.
In the 20th century it... -- Proverbs 8:22-31 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
In the 20th century it would be difficult to point to one particular person and call that person a "
Sixteen-year-old Lee woke... -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Sixteen-year-old Lee woke up in the hospital with a broken leg, a concussion and multiple laceration
Harold Kohn was a remarkable... -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Harold Kohn was a remarkable man. He was an artist, pastor, author and counselor.
Hope is a strange thing... -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Hope is a strange thing. It does not always come in the way we expect. I have a friend with cancer.
Is it possible to begin... -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Is it possible to begin with sufferings --plural --and end in hope?
I used to drive by... -- Revelation 4:1-11 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
I used to drive by a peaceful-looking lake in southeastern Minnesota that was surrounded by oak tree
The Trinity is more than... -- Revelation 4:1-11 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
The Trinity is more than a dogma of faith, or a sign of the cross, or a mystery simply accepted.
In this chapter which reveals... -- Revelation 4:1-11 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
In this chapter which reveals John's vision of the hereafter, we recognize the source of the words t
The entire fourth chapter is... -- Revelation 4:1-11 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
The entire fourth chapter is an allusion to temple worship.
Aldous Huxley was an English... -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Aldous Huxley was an English writer whose works seemed to express a disillusionment with 20th centur
God is enlightening you and... -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
"... God is enlightening you and teaching you direct, bit by bit as you can bear it.
Margueritte Harmon Bro gave us... -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Margueritte Harmon Bro gave us an example of how truth is sometimes a burden too great for people to
There is the old story... -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
There is the old story of an old time preacher who told his congregation that he was going to preach
I will do whatever you... -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C
"I will do whatever you ask in my name." What horrible things happen when glory hungry people get a
Come, Holy Spirit and from... -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C
Come, Holy Spirit and from heaven direct on your people the rays of your light.
Jesus said, 'The words that... -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C
"Jesus said, 'The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me
The story is told that... -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C
The story is told that a great scholar/teacher used to doff his hat when he entered the classroom.

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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