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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

We know that it is... -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Easter Day - C
We know that it is a universal human experience to deny death.
Have you even wanted to... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - C
Have you even wanted to hide away? To sink down in your seat and cover your face and disappear?
Paul affirms that we are... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - C
Paul affirms that we are to look at things from a heavenly point of view.
In this passage, Paul speaks... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - C
In this passage, Paul speaks of a principle with which modern psychologists are familiar.
Many months after the official... -- John 20:1-9 -- Easter Day - C
Many months after the official end of World War II there was a group of Laplanders about 200 miles u
One preacher tells of his... -- John 20:1-9 (10-18) -- Easter Day - C
One preacher tells of his earliest memory of a sermon.
A young college student, considered... -- John 20:1-9 (10-18) -- Easter Day - C
A young college student, considered to be an intellectual, announced to a group of friends one day t
We are the Easter people... -- John 20:1-9 (10-18) -- Easter Day - C
"We are the Easter people," say Avery and Marsh in their song.
Bacon wrote, in contemplation, if... -- Luke 24:1-10 -- Easter Day - C
Bacon wrote, "in contemplation, if a man begins with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he
The alarm clock goes off... -- Luke 24:1-10 -- Easter Day - C
The alarm clock goes off and Joe Smith pulls the pillow tightly around his ears.
This passage raises the matter... -- Luke 24:1-10 -- Easter Day - C
This passage raises the matter of credibility issues.
In ancient Persia, people told... -- Luke 24:1-10 -- Easter Day - C
In ancient Persia, people told a fable about the time God made the earth. It was a barren plain.
I remember walking into an... -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
I remember walking into an American history class in college and the professor was standing on the d
After World War II, many... -- Acts 5:12, 17-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
After World War II, many of those accused of committing atrocities in the Holocaust, the mass murder
The early disciples were not... -- Acts 5:12, 17-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
The early disciples were not the only ones who were in prison and then left, declaring the words of
My first recollections of Martin... -- Acts 5:12, 17-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
My first recollections of Martin Luther King, Jr., go back to my elementary school years.
I'm fascinated by cultures in... -- Acts 5:12-16 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
I'm fascinated by cultures in which the spiritual leader is also a physical healer.
Easter brings us the good... -- Acts 5:12-16 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Easter brings us the good news of Christ's glorious resurrection. It also brings us a mandate:
At times we become as... -- Acts 5:12-16 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
At times we become as bewildered about belief in God as were the nonbelievers and almost believers w
A couple was discussing the... -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
A couple was discussing the prospect of having children.
Helmet Thielicke, a German theologian... -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Helmet Thielicke, a German theologian and preacher, who knew what it was to suffer persecution for b
One of the most innovative... -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
One of the most innovative theologians of this century, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote in various
In his book, New... -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
In his book, New Testament Words in Today's Language, (Wayne A.
How proud we are that... -- Hosea 6:1-6 -- Good Friday - C
How proud we are that we are so progressively moving on down the road.
In the movie, Rainman... -- Hosea 6:1-6 -- Good Friday - C
In the movie, Rainman there is one particularly poignant moment.

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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