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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In the late 50s, John... -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
In the late 50s, John A.T.
A church newsletter declared that... -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
A church newsletter declared that the individual is dispensable.
The writer of Exodus simply... -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
The writer of Exodus simply describes the encounter of Moses and God with "he had been talking with
When Life Loses its Luster... -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
"When Life Loses its Luster" is the title of a chapter in a book by John W.
In 1893 an English professor... -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
In 1893 an English professor at Wellesley College, Katherine Lee Bates, made a trip to Colorado.
Robert Fulghum wrote the charming... -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Robert Fulghum wrote the charming essay, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.
Archaeologists, in their quest for... -- Sirach 27:4-7 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Archaeologists, in their quest for the secrets of the past, often use a tool which looks rather like
Others have one opinion of... -- Sirach 27:4-7 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Others have one opinion of us. We know ourselves. Do you agree with Sirach 27:4, "...
Clayton Williams is a rugged... -- Sirach 27:4-7 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Clayton Williams is a rugged individualist, independent entrepreneur and self-professed "good ole bo
A modern proverb says, A... -- 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
A modern proverb says, "A mind is like a parachute.
After what one church member... -- 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
After what one church member judged an inappropriately controversial sermon the preacher heard the f
A woman in Bible study... -- 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
A woman in Bible study related that when she went into her basement she made an interesting discover
At the time of the... -- 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
At the time of the transfiguration, Jesus must have known something was about to happen.
What image does the Dance... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
What image does the "Dance of the Seven Veils" conjure up in your mind?
An eminent theologian who lived... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
An eminent theologian who lived in the first half of the 20th century was the late John Oman.
The central quality of true... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
The central quality of true preaching contains a paradox.
Several years ago in England... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Several years ago in England, a man wrote to the editor of the British Weekly.
Janet Voinovich, wife of the... -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Janet Voinovich, wife of the Governor of Ohio, recently was interviewed.
Who really believes that life... -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Who really believes that life in Christ is more powerful than death?
We can sympathize with Simon... -- Luke 9:28-36 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
We can sympathize with Simon who in effect says to Jesus, "This is just great.
We once had the most... -- Luke 9:28-36 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
We once had the most wonderful vacation with friends.
The First Church of Missing... -- Luke 9:28-36 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
The First Church of Missing the Point believed it was on the cutting edge of ministry.
Some years ago I was... -- Luke 6:39-45 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Some years ago I was a guest at a church convention.
One of the most inspiring... -- Luke 6:39-45 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
One of the most inspiring sights I ever witnessed occurred during the Charleston (West Virginia) Dis
Charles Dickens, in his I... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Easter Day - C
Charles Dickens, in his Tale of Two Cities, has Sydney Carton visit a prisoner on death now n

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Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
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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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