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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

I used to think that... -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
I used to think that toes weren't very important.
Discover One's Mission Martin Luther... -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
"Discover One's Mission" Martin Luther King, Jr.
Those parts of the body... -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
"Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are l
Seminaries often teach aspiring pastors... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Seminaries often teach aspiring pastors to take it easy the first three years in a new pastorate.
There is a wonderful story... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
There is a wonderful story told from the life of Beethoven.
He stood up to read... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
"He stood up to read the Scriptures and was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:17, TEV)."
After reciting the victory over... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
After reciting the victory over the Egyptians when they drowned, Isaiah says "Do not cling to events
I once read in a... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
I once read in a scholarly work that the most amazing thing about the civilization of ancient Egypt
In the movie Sophie's... -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
In the movie Sophie's Choice, Meryl Streep plays the part of a woman who is haunted by the me
I saw a bumper sticker... -- Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
I saw a bumper sticker on a sports truck the other day that said, "Whoever has the most toys when th
The great golfer Walter Hagan... -- Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
The great golfer Walter Hagan was once asked how he can manage after a poor shot to keep his concent
The legendary coach Vince Lombardi... -- Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
The legendary coach Vince Lombardi once wrote, "We know how rough the road will be, how heavy here t
I consider everything a loss... -- Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord .
There was an old man... -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
There was an old man who daily came to a cathedral and knelt in prayer in front of a large stained g
In a recent, exciting book... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
In a recent, exciting book, Preaching and the Holy Spirit, James Forbes describes his Christi
Do we lay hands on... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Do we lay hands on life for good or ill? Once there was a king and a wise man.
It is possible to sleep... -- Acts 10:34-38 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
It is possible to sleep through a revolution.
Up until this moment in... -- Acts 10:34-38 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Up until this moment in time Peter had believed that the kingdom of God was only for Jews.
John Wesley went, with his... -- Acts 10:34-38 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
John Wesley went, with his brother, Charles, to serve as a missionary to the Indians in Georgia.
John Updike's novel Roger's... -- Acts 10:34-38 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
John Updike's novel Roger's Version is the story of a theological professor who finds himself
Picture three men in three... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Picture three men in three different situations.
Luke tells of John the... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Luke tells of John the Baptist saying that Jesus would separate the wheat from the chaff.
Time magazine (May... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Time magazine (May 6, 1991) ran an article on the Church of Scientology, a cult founded by sc
John could easily have been... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
John could easily have been carried away on the flood of people's expectations.
Sent by God on... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Sent by God on Mission!

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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