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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In 1899 archeologists unearthed a... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
In 1899 archeologists unearthed a piece of writing describing life among the believers in the early
During my young adult years... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
During my young adult years I had the opportunity to live in a "collective house" in Washington, D.C
Here the church, the community... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Here the church, the community of faith, is emphasized.
We have the story of... -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
We have the story of the mother of Samuel who late in life, barren and without children, wanted a c
A serpent on a stake... -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
A serpent on a stake -- not a very appealing sight.
After attending a seminar on... -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
After attending a seminar on the pastoral care of cancer patients and their families sponsored by Ro
Through twenty Christian centuries there... -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Through twenty Christian centuries there has never prevailed one "official" version of the meaning o
The Old Testament simply teaches... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
The Old Testament simply teaches that God is for us.
A construction engineer, his legs... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
A construction engineer, his legs paralyzed, was once confined to his bed, but because of his reputa
A man was engaged in... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
A man was engaged in washing a plate-glass window. He was doing a fine job, except for one spot.
In his recently-published anthology... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
In his recently-published anthology of word-studies and matching illustrations,1 Dr.
Why do parents put their... -- Hebrews 5:7-9 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Why do parents put their children through the discomforts of orthodontia treatment?
Are we no different than... -- Hebrews 5:7-9 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Are we no different than the animals?
The writer entered his study... -- Hebrews 5:7-9 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
The writer entered his study and stared for two solid minutes at his typewriter.
Many times the minister of... -- Hebrews 5:7-9 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Many times the minister of a church hears his people say from the deep of a troubled soul, "My soul
John tells us some Greeks... -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
John tells us some Greeks came to Philip saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." From antiquity, the Gr
My grandfather was a lumber... -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
My grandfather was a lumber man in South Carolina in the 1920s.
Mary was in the third... -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Mary was in the third grade.
I have just recently returned... -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
I have just recently returned from a workshop at Kirkridge Retreat Center, Pennsylvania.
We saw the real personality... -- Isaiah 50:4-7 -- Passion Sunday - B
We saw the real personality of Jesus in the decision to go to Jerusalem and in his struggle in Geths
Why should we struggle against... -- Isaiah 50:4-7 -- Passion Sunday - B
Why should we struggle against Christ who is stronger than the strong?
Declares Isaiah, The Lord God... -- Isaiah 50:4-7 -- Passion Sunday - B
Declares Isaiah, "The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how
A current trend in radio... -- Isaiah 50:4-7 -- Passion Sunday - B
A current trend in radio talk shows today encourages the host to put down those with whom he disagre
The ancient country of Persia... -- Zechariah 9:9-10 -- Passion Sunday - B
The ancient country of Persia was once ruled by a Shah who had great care and concern for his people
Niels Bohr, the great Danish... -- Zechariah 9:9-10 -- Passion Sunday - B
Niels Bohr, the great Danish physicist who pioneered with quantum physics and laid the groundwork fo

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The Political Pulpit

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Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
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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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