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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

As we progress into the... -- Isaiah 12:1-6 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
As we progress into the Lenten season, we are confronted with the type of behavior which makes God a
The church organist and minister... -- Isaiah 12:1-6 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
The church organist and minister were having a cup of coffee in the church staff lounge.
In the early 1980s a... -- 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
In the early 1980s a certain U.S.
In the movie, Hoosiers... -- 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
In the movie, Hoosiers, the main character, a head basketball coach, attempts to give a man a
Jeremy was highly regarded by... -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Jeremy was highly regarded by the firm with which he had been employed for 20 years, moving up the r
Some years ago I received... -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Some years ago I received a mid-afternoon phone call. A frantic voice shattered my study.
Could the United States be... -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Could the United States be headed down a similar path to that of ancient Rome?
Does the rope of discipline... -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Does the rope of discipline provide an external, controlling stranglehold which eventually says to t
Someone asked a retired minister... -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Someone asked a retired minister which was the most comforting text in the Bible.
Then there was the man... -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Then there was the man who laughed uproariously at the hot-dogging skier who had crashed into a tree
One of the more popular... -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
One of the more popular existential plays has been that by Jean Paul Sarte, Waiting for Godot
If the Lord is really... -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
"If the Lord is really with us, why has all this happened to us?" asked Gideon in the Hebrew Bible (
How did James Herriot ever... -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
How did James Herriot ever get the idea to write his books about serving as a veterinarian in rural
Do statues stand firm? Does... -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Do statues stand firm? Does Rodin's statue of the "Thinker" think?
Every person has faith. Also... -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Every person has faith. Also, every person has fears.
What of the lives of... -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
What of the lives of saints?
Robert Louis Stevenson's wife, Fanny... -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Robert Louis Stevenson's wife, Fanny, walked into her husband's bedroom where he was confined by tub
Jesus' own compassion embodied in... -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Jesus' own compassion embodied in his plea for Jerusalem desiring to gather them together "as a hen
Harpers magazine once... -- Luke 3:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Harpers magazine once hired public relations and media people to put together a campaign for
Some of us wonder if... -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Some of us wonder if God knows how bad our situation is.
The alumni review of a... -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
The alumni review of a nearby college tells me that the buzz word on campus this year is "leadership
When the great Methodist George... -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
When the great Methodist George Whitefield preached on this passage, he claimed that the burning bus
Whom do we call upon... -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Whom do we call upon to be saved? What name spells "salvation" for each of us?
During World War I, a... -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
During World War I, a Protestant chaplain in Italy became friendly with a local priest.
There is something in human... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
There is something in human nature that seeks to avoid the hour of testing.

Political Pulpit

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The Political Pulpit

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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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