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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Woody Allen wrote, directed, and... -- 1 John 4:1-11 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
Woody Allen wrote, directed, and acted in the movie, "Manhattan." In it he is told by a friend, "Sto
Any one of us is... -- 1 John 4:1-11 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
Any one of us is replaceable on our jobs.
Have you ever tried to... -- John 15:9-17 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
Have you ever tried to tell someone what it is like to love another person, when they themselves hav
Beethoven was told by some... -- John 15:9-17 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
Beethoven was told by some of his mentors that he should stick to being a concert pianist, that he w
A little boy was being... -- John 15:9-17 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
A little boy was being interviewed prior to beginning school.
Judas brings to mind one... -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Judas brings to mind one of the mysteries of life -- the capacity for good and evil within each of u
This year I have been... -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
This year I have been picked to head up a team at Annual Conference (United Methodist's annual legis
On one occasion when Martin... -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
On one occasion when Martin Luther was quite depressed -- gloomy and morose -- his wife Katie used a
Lord, ... show which one of... -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
"Lord, ...
An island native could not... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
An island native could not understand the practice of the captains of large, oceangoing vessels who
In this passage John reflects... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
In this passage John reflects on the greatness of God and how that can be passed on to us.
A beautiful young woman was... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
A beautiful young woman was engaged to be married to a fine young man.
Graduates of a certain high... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Graduates of a certain high school assembled for their first class "reunion." Ten years had passed a
The hypocrisy of particular Christians... -- 1 John 4:13-21 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
The hypocrisy of particular Christians has been well-documented in the history of the church: the ex
A 66-year-old widow... -- 1 John 4:13-21 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
A 66-year-old widow from Waynesboro, Georgia, celebrated Christmas last year not only as the birth o
During the First World War... -- 1 John 4:13-21 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
During the First World War, a fierce battle raged in a patch of forest in northern France.
There is no big secret... -- 1 John 4:13-21 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
There is no big secret about how love goes from person to person.
One of my colleagues had... -- 1 John 3:18-24 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
One of my colleagues had some personal problems and needed to take a leave of absence from the minis
In this era when everyone... -- 1 John 3:18-24 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
In this era when everyone likes things summarized, from the news to novels, Saint John gives us a nu
Real greatness is often missed... -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Real greatness is often missed in those who live significant lives, until they die.
When you know what the... -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
When you know what the source of your life really is, all the taunts from an uncomprehending world m
We would simplify our lives... -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
We would simplify our lives if we could only be what God has called us to.
John and Mary both liked... -- John 14:15-21 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
John and Mary both liked cooking. Since both worked outside the home, this was a happy situation.
We look in vain for... -- John 14:15-21 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
We look in vain for comfort where there is none.
It makes a difference when... -- John 14:15-21 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
It makes a difference when we know someone intimately.

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
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29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
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27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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26 – Worship Resources
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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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