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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

An elderly lady, who had... -- John 17:11b-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
An elderly lady, who had suffered long from the dreaded disease of cancer, but who had received love
Parenting isn't something we learn... -- John 17:11b-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Parenting isn't something we learn: it's a beautiful inbred instinct in us coming from the heart of
If we asked the average... -- John 17:11b-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
If we asked the average person whether they knew Jesus had prayed for them, they'd probably say "No.
New seminary graduates, full of... -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Day of Pentecost - B
New seminary graduates, full of hopes and dreams, we came to be pastors of small rural churches.
In England there appeared on... -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Day of Pentecost - B
In England there appeared on many television screens the call letters of KLEE-TV.
Ezekiel was that almost psychedelic... -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Ezekiel was that almost psychedelic priest of the exile who had the vision about the wheel within a
The narrative of the valley... -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Day of Pentecost - B
The narrative of the valley of dry bones suggests a process of regeneration.
Pentecost came when with one... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Pentecost came when "with one accord (they) devoted themselves to prayer ..." The outpouring of the
It is claimed that Mendelssohn... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B
It is claimed that Mendelssohn once visited a cathedral in Europe that contained a priceless organ.
A Russian fisherman, walking along... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B
A Russian fisherman, walking along the beach of Vilkilski Strait in the Arctic, found a bottle in th
About twenty years ago I... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B
About twenty years ago I attended a three-day workshop in Pittsburgh, relative to encouraging young
Jesus says the Kingdom of... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Jesus says "the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net cast into the sea which gathers fish of every kind."
A thirty-year-old doctor... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 -- Day of Pentecost - B
A thirty-year-old doctor in Quincy, Illinois -- Dr.
Electricity is a great mystery... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Electricity is a great mystery even to the most learned scientists; most of us have a hard time desc
William James is quoted as... -- 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 -- Day of Pentecost - B
William James is quoted as having said that religion is either a dull habit or an acute fever.
There is a line in... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
There is a line in Aesop's Fables that is translated by Thomas James as, "Every truth has two sides:
This Roman Lectionary Gospel is... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
This Roman Lectionary Gospel is so rich I wish it was an alternate lesson for some of the rest of us
Could I love a god... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Could I love a god so smallthat human form contained it all?
Jesus dialogs with us through... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Jesus dialogs with us through the Holy Spirit.
Theology, the attempt to talk... -- John 7:37-39a -- Day of Pentecost - B
Theology, the attempt to talk about God, could be described as the attempt to talk about the "un-tal
The Festival of Tabernacles was... -- John 7:37-39a -- Day of Pentecost - B
The Festival of Tabernacles was the third of the trio of great Jewish festivals, coming after Passov
The proof of our love... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
The proof of our love is in how we live.
To think in terms of... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
To think in terms of price and profit is a natural attitude in secular life.
Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) was noted... -- 1 John 4:1-11 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) was noted for his many talents and virtues; among them: his great abil
Some folks thought that John... -- 1 John 4:1-11 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
Some folks thought that John was a little strange, even a fanatic, but his letter has permanent mean

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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