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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Ray was a college classmate... -- Isaiah 42:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Ray was a college classmate of mine.
The prophet uses the image... -- Isaiah 42:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
The prophet uses the image of a flickering candle.
We do not move into... -- Isaiah 42:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
We do not move into the future as empty people.
In his book, Remember... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
In his book, Remember Who You Are, Dr.
At the 15th high school... -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
At the 15th high school class reunion several people remarked that they had not seen their class pre
A young preacher was making... -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
A young preacher was making his first round of visits in a new appointment.
Bishop Sergio Mendez Arceo was... -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Bishop Sergio Mendez Arceo was greatly loved by the people whom he served in the diocese of Cuernava
The Working Person's Beatitudesbr... -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
The Working Person's BeatitudesMary Margaret Sekerak
The Beatitudes remind us of... -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
The Beatitudes remind us of an initiating God who sustains.
How do you feel when... -- Genesis 45:3-11 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
How do you feel when you go to a class reunion?
There was a powerful play... -- Genesis 45:3-11 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
There was a powerful play produced on Broadway some years ago about John Merrick, The Elephant Ma
One of the approaches to... -- Genesis 45:3-11 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
One of the approaches to family counseling is a systems method which determines the role each person
Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home... -- 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion fame is one of America's great storytellers.
The story is told about... -- 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
The story is told about two men who made peanut butter.
David was the epitome of... -- 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13 , 22-23 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
David was the epitome of a warrior.
The Epiphany of our Lord... -- 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
The Epiphany of our Lord has been inspiration for countless numbers of stories and plays.
Picture a large group of... -- 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
Picture a large group of radish seeds gathered at the cemetery for the committal service for a frien
Paul Johnson's book, Intellectuals... -- 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
Paul Johnson's book, Intellectuals, tells of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who felt that he had a un
Several years ago we yielded... -- 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
Several years ago we yielded to an advertisement in a gardening magazine and sent for several "fast-
In this passage, Paul attempts... -- 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
In this passage, Paul attempts to give identifiable shape to the greatest event in all human history
Samuel Pisar in his book... -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
Samuel Pisar in his book Of Blood and Hope recalls his experience as a young Jewish boy in a
I was driving down the... -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
I was driving down the street the other day when I noticed that the car in front of me had one of th
The Golden Rule:B... -- Luke 6:27-28 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
The Golden Rule:"What is hateful to you, do not to others." Judaism
Were I limited to a... -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
Were I limited to a few sentences as a life guide, I would select Jesus' words in this passage from
In the movie, Robin... -- Sirach 24:1-4, 8-12 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
In the movie, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, Marian and Robin have just enjoyed a festive tim

Political Pulpit

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The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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
George Reed
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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