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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

When the persecution of Christians... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
When the persecution of Christians was at its peak in Rome, there were many people who
Being careful how we live... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Being careful how we live as a people of God is one major theme of Ephesians. We are
Denise was hurt! She was... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Denise was hurt! She was attending a church-affiliated college. She was very devout in
Nutritional requirement guidelines change from... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Nutritional requirement guidelines change from time to time. Whether they're sponsored
In the days before yeast... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
In the days before yeast was available in foils packets at the supermarket, it had to be
Many of us have been... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Many of us have been guilty of taking some pretty remarkable things for granted, simply
How far would we go... -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
How far would we go to keep a promise? In 1999, a certain man went very far indeed.
People in the church knew... -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
People in the church knew for several years that they had outgrown their building. A
One hot summer night, the... -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
One hot summer night, the church council told the pastor that the giving was down,
It is a hot, summer... -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
It is a hot, summer evening when the Christian education is meeting at a local church.
Medieval Times is a show... -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Medieval Times is a show at various places around North America where those attending
It is a sad commentary... -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
It is a sad commentary on our society that most police officers are required to wear some
Remember this scene from Miguel... -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Remember this scene from Miguel de Cervantes' novel, Don Quixote?
I was talking to someone... -- John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
I was talking to someone not long ago who said, "You know, I used to believe in God;
In view of the conditions... -- John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
"In view of the conditions, which prevailed in the war department and in the Union
The youth fellowship set out... -- John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
The youth fellowship set out for a week of short-term mission. They would work to fix
Unlike the selection of the... -- John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Unlike the selection of the disciples in the synoptic books, John's disciples are weeded
Marie always prided herself with... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Marie always prided herself with completing her Christmas shopping early before the
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 2 (2016) -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- R. Robert Cueni, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Jeremiah 31:7-14

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The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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
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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