Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Two stories emerge from the... -- Isaiah 52:1-6 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Two stories emerge from the rancor of slavery in this country that underscore the concept of a price
Senator Daniel P. Moynihan of... -- Isaiah 52:1-6 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Senator Daniel P.
At this the whole pack... -- Isaiah 52:1-6 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
At this the whole pack rose up into the air, and came flying down upon her; she gave a little scr
Awake, awake ... begins the 52nd... -- Isaiah 52:1-6 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
"Awake, awake ..." begins the 52nd chapter of Isaiah.
Fire! An awesome force that... -- Malachi 3:19-20 (4:1-2) -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Fire! An awesome force that has served humanity since its discovery.
Bruno Bettelheim, an authority on... -- Malachi 3:19-20 (4:1-2) -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Bruno Bettelheim, an authority on the behavior and development of children, raised serious question
A family gathered for Thanksgiving... -- Malachi 3:19-20 (4:1-2) -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
A family gathered for Thanksgiving just three weeks after the mother in the home had died of cancer.
The story is told... -- 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 -- All Saints Day - A
The story is told of an earnest young man who wished, for his own edification, to know the tr
Good parents know that punishment... -- Wisdom 11:22-12:1 -- All Saints Day - A
Good parents know that punishment does not destroy the love relationship between them and their chil
If you have ever been... -- Wisdom 11:22-12:1 -- All Saints Day - A
If you have ever been on a mountain or looked up from a deep canyon, this verse may come alive for y
Was God's hand guided by... -- Wisdom 11:22-12:1 -- All Saints Day - A
Was God's hand guided by a master plan as it fashioned the universe -- or did it exercise a bit of "
When it is a matter... -- Wisdom 11:22-12:1 -- All Saints Day - A
"When it is a matter of not-doing, I reckon a man can trust himself for advice.
Freedom is integral to the... -- Isaiah 1:10-20 -- All Saints Day - A
Freedom is integral to the whole conception of humanity in God's intention.
To stop doing wrong is... -- Isaiah 1:10-20 -- All Saints Day - A
To stop doing wrong is to repent.To seek justice is to be involved.
In the forests of Northern... -- Isaiah 1:10-20 -- All Saints Day - A
In the forests of Northern Europe lives the ermine, a small animal known best for its snow-white fur
Many people make religion out... -- Isaiah 1:10-20 -- All Saints Day - A
Many people make religion out to be a hard thing, its principles hard to understand, the motivation
The Amazing Randi (born Randall... -- 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 -- All Saints Day - A
The Amazing Randi (born Randall James Hamilton and now legally named James Randi) has devoted his li
Paul gives thanks for the... -- 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 -- All Saints Day - A
Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonian Christians because they are being sanctified by the Spirit an
A car became stuckb... -- 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 -- All Saints Day - A
A car became stuck in the snow and ice along the side of the road.
Sometimes it is doing a... -- 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 -- All Saints Day - A
Sometimes it is doing a massive thing to "stand firm and hold to the traditions." During a ti
A husband and wife died... -- Luke 20:27-38 -- All Saints Day - A
A husband and wife died at the same time and each parted for different destinations.
Jesus finished this dissertation on... -- Luke 20:27-38 -- All Saints Day - A
Jesus finished this dissertation on marriage with the Sadducees (who generally did not believ
The incident happened when she... -- Luke 20:27-38 -- All Saints Day - A
The incident happened when she was only five.
In Par Lagerkvist's novelb... -- Luke 20:27-38 -- All Saints Day - A
In Par Lagerkvist's novel Barabbas, Barabbas interviews Lazarus, whom Jesus raised fro
In Revolution in Psychiatry Ernest... -- Zechariah 7:1-10 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
In Revolution in Psychiatry Ernest Becker wrote: "If we lack a firm, lived behavioral pattern

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?

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL