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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Some years ago I met... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Some years ago I met a man whose given name was Peter. For years he had been haunted by that name.
Mary was heartbroken when her... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Mary was heartbroken when her son Andy came home drunk or when she got a phone call saying that Andy
I Have A Dream... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
"I Have A Dream"Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday --January 20
In the movie Amadeus... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
In the movie Amadeus the character Antonio Salieri complains that God is unfair.
Cynthia had been active in... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Cynthia had been active in her church while in high school and found a group at college that met reg
At a retreat held at... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
At a retreat held at Mercy Center in Burlingame, California, three women acquainted themselves with
The Tyranny of Type is... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
"The Tyranny of Type" is the title of a sermon by George H.
I recently listened to an... -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
I recently listened to an unusual number performed by the Cleveland Orchestra at their outdoor summe
Symeon Stylites who died in... -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Symeon "Stylites" who died in A.D. 460 was the first of the so-called pillar saints.
Who knows where faith will... -- Sirach 24:1-4, 8-12 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Who knows where faith will take root? Why in some soil, some lands more than others?
Do you believe Sirach 24:8... -- Sirach 24:1-4, 8-12 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Do you believe Sirach 24:8, "From eternity, in the beginning, he created me, and for eternity I shal
A friend of mine traveled... -- Jeremiah 37:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
A friend of mine traveled to Nicaragua in the early 1980s before the U.S.
A visitor to the shop... -- Jeremiah 37:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
A visitor to the shop of a local potter was puzzled by one operation which seemed to have little pur
Do not deceive yourselves. We... -- Jeremiah 37:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
"Do not deceive yourselves." We can get into a lot of trouble with self-deception.
G. William Jones wrote a... -- Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
G.
Kipling's classic story, Letting... -- Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Kipling's classic story, Letting the Jungle In, tells of a group of people who went into the
Separation anxiety afflicts the lives... -- Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Separation anxiety afflicts the lives of many people and with good reason because of negative childh
Glendon Harris* reported the tragic... -- Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Glendon Harris* reported the tragic death of Alex Coffin, the son of the Rev.
As the persecution of the... -- Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
As the persecution of the Jews spread over Europe during World War II, there was a gigantic effort m
After Martin Luther made his... -- Matthew 2:13-15 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
After Martin Luther made his courageous stand at the Diet of Worms before the Holy Roman Emperor he
When the wicked King Herod... -- Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
When the wicked King Herod discovered that a child had been born who was thought to be king of the J
Isaiah speaks of being chosen... -- Isaiah 61:1-4 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Isaiah speaks of being chosen. Others have chosen to be faithful to God.
I only went to the... -- Isaiah 61:1-4 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
I only went to the funeral because the widow was the sister of one of our members.
Lynn had encountered some tough... -- Isaiah 61:1-4 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Lynn had encountered some tough times in the past several years.
There is no sadder sight... -- Isaiah 61:1-4 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
There is no sadder sight than the ashes of burned out buildings which once were homes in the blighte

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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