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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

When Sirach speaks of wisdom... -- Sirach 24:1-4, 8-12 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
When Sirach speaks of wisdom he understands that as the gift of God which makes it possible to disti
Why do we so often... -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Why do we so often get stuck on the marginal, the side-issue, the unimportant, and miss Christ?
Jesus was engaged in prophetic... -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Jesus was engaged in prophetic preaching.
During World War I, a... -- Luke 4:21 -30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
During World War I, a Protestant chaplain with the American troops in Italy became a friend of a loc
One of the most famous... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
One of the most famous preachers of the 19th century was Charles H. Spurgeon.
In a small country church... -- Judges 6:11-24a -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
In a small country church they still tell the story of a pastor of bygone years.
We often fantasize about being... -- Judges 6:11-24a -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
We often fantasize about being in the company of someone great, but when it finally happens, strange
How many of us could... -- Judges 6:11-24a -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
How many of us could ask with Gideon, "If the Lord is with us, how do these bad things happen to us?
Colleen had worked extremely hard... -- Judges 6:11-24a -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Colleen had worked extremely hard to complete the requirements to apply for physical therapy school.
Remember the old story of... -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Remember the old story of a man sitting on a dock with a fishing pole and his line in the water and
Life can change in the... -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Life can change in the flash of a moment.
Luke's description of a fish... -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Luke's description of a fish catch so big as to break nets, also strains the imagination.
Mark Twain once went to... -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Mark Twain once went to borrow a certain book from a neighbor.
Dr. Pierce Harris, pastor of... -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Dr.
One of the most moving... -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
One of the most moving diaries to come out of World War II was written by a 27-year-old Dutch Jewish
The sin of Judah is... -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
The sin of Judah is so severe it is engraved, it is indelible.
The day's subject for the... -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
The day's subject for the catechism camp was "The Miracles of the Bible." As several of Jesus' mirac
As seminarians in the late... -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
As seminarians in the late 1960s we were constantly bombarded with the call to make the church "rele
Paul plainly states that if... -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Paul plainly states that if Jesus was not raised from the dead and is alive forevermore, our preachi
Rumanian Lutheran pastor Richard Wurmbrand... -- John 12:9-19 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Rumanian Lutheran pastor Richard Wurmbrand spent fourteen years in prison for preaching the Gospel.
Since death is the ultimate... -- John 12:9-19 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Since death is the ultimate problem all people face, it is no wonder that the news of the raising of
A heroic story is told... -- Luke 23:35-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
A heroic story is told about Baron Gilles de Rais who was also nicknamed "Bluebeard." The most popul
Our text is about the... -- Luke 23:35-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Our text is about the doubt and cynicism of the thief who hung on the cross beside Jesus as others m
You have, perhaps, seen... -- Luke 23:35-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
You have, perhaps, seen before the name JESUS on a piece of paper with the spaces between the
Jesus' kingship flies in the... -- Luke 23:35-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Jesus' kingship flies in the face of kingliness as we know it.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

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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