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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

For centuries the Mediterranean world... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
For centuries the Mediterranean world had been fascinated with Greek culture.
We can identify with Abraham's... -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
We can identify with Abraham's doubting that God would fulfill his promises.
A farmer I know lives... -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
A farmer I know lives on a "Centennial Farm," which means that it has been in her family for more th
In his book, U.S... -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
In his book, U.S.
Carla, a chemical dependency counselor... -- Jeremiah 26:8-15 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Carla, a chemical dependency counselor, tells the story of a family who asked her to do an intervent
A prophet is a teacher... -- Jeremiah 26:8-15 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
A prophet is a teacher and a transmitter of truth.
God continues to work in... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2 -- Ash Wednesday - C
God continues to work in surprising ways in the world.
In the ghetto of one... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - C
In the ghetto of one of our most economically depressed cities, an anonymous donor recently gave a g
We have it on good... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - C
We have it on good authority --from Jesus --that we will have our hearts where our riches are.
Doris is one of those... -- Matthew 6:1-8; 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - C
Doris is one of those people to whom this pastor feels very indebted.
One beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon... -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
One beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon my wife and I were sitting in the backyard eating plums, each o
After many years' hiatus my... -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
After many years' hiatus my college roommate and his family came to our home for a long-delayed visi
My Lord God, br... -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
"My Lord God,
What happens to your first... -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
What happens to your first fruits?
John Calvin wrote in his... -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
John Calvin wrote in his commentary on Isaiah, "It is not enough, therefore, that we believe in some
A teacher was anxious for... -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
A teacher was anxious for her fifth graders to learn.
William H. Danforth in his... -- Luke 6:39-45 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
William H. Danforth in his book, I Dare You!, presents a difficult challenge:
A student is not above... -- Luke 6:39-45 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." Ex
A man was hired to... -- Joel 2:12-19 -- Ash Wednesday - C
A man was hired to paint a church.
The knight, in King Arthur's... -- Joel 2:12-19 -- Ash Wednesday - C
The knight, in King Arthur's day, when fully dressed, needed a strong, large horse to bear the weigh
The call to repentance is... -- Joel 2:12-19 -- Ash Wednesday - C
The call to repentance is hard to hear.
A member of the Episcopal... -- Joel 2:12-19 -- Ash Wednesday - C
A member of the Episcopal Church approached her priest and said, " Father, my dog died this morning
In 1990 Bill Moyer produced... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2 (3-10) -- Ash Wednesday - C
In 1990 Bill Moyer produced a documentary on public television titled "Amazing Grace." Based upon th
Borden P. Bowne, a noted... -- Revelation 1:4-18 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Borden P.
Mount Corcovado overlooks the city... -- Revelation 1:4-18 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Mount Corcovado overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro and is the most prominent geographic spot in th

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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