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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

An eye to the future -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19, Psalm 66:1-12 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Without a doubt one of the strangest questions asked again and again in the weeks just after the ter
Look backward! Move Forward! -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
How things do change over time!
Home for Christmas -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14, Psalm 98 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
My living room contains a painting of the great race between a horse and a steam locomotive by the C
The seven last words of Pilate -- Good Friday - A
Some stories in the Bible are so essentially visual that they almost demand that we act them out to
Responding to Our Gifts -- Psalm 95:6-11, 2 Timothy 1:3-14 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
Too many of us, I think, spend too much time blaming our past and the gifts we have received from ot
Living in faith -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
After Christmas, with its striking combination of trying human circumstances and glorious divine rev
But what if it is broken? -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- David Kalas -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Conventional wisdom says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That's fair advice.
The future is now -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Isaiah has been called "the prophet of the holy." His personal encounter with God, described in
Affirming a mystery -- Proverbs 8:22-31, Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
The Holy Trinity is a mystery indeed.
Share the joy reach out and include -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.
The day is the way! -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Adventus, "Coming!" That Latin word sounds like the theme for the four weeks ahead of us.
The Immediacy of Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Never does the Bible recommend that some day we ought to listen, to respond, to change.
People you can count on -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20, Psalm 124 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Some years ago, a major research firm conducted a survey to determine what people would be willing t
God's Bounty -- Psalms 139:13-18, 2 Kings 4:8-17, Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
Turn to whichever selection for today that you wish and you will soon discover that the common theme
Humility -- Jeremiah 28:1-9, Hebrews 13:1-8, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
All of us are aware of the difference between real and false humility.
Of grease and squeaky wheels -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30 -- David Kalas -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Conventional wisdom says that it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.
Aim high -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
It comes with the territory of capitalism, for we are continually encouraged to want more, to get wh
Universalism Versus Exclusivism -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Galatians 1:1-10, Luke 7:1-10 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C
The issue as to whether Yahweh was the God of Israel alone or the God of all the nations was always
Typing and timing spirituality -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 52 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
You are having guests over for dinner. The meal is nearing completion.
Perfection -- Psalm 15, Genesis 18:1-10a, Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
I am certain that when I hear some people speak of the Christian life, I am hearing them say that no
Prophecy -- 2 Samuel 7:8-16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
No Advent season would be complete without a consideration of the role of prophecy.
New Beginnings -- Isaiah 43:16-21, John 12:1-8, Philippians 3:8-14 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Sometimes all our talk about Lent would lead one to think our major Lenten task is to look backward.
Far from the tree -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 121 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday in Lent - A
Two thousand years earlier, Abram sat alone one night, when the Lord came to speak to him.
Reminding Us of Who We Are -- Psalm 145, Luke 19:1-10 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A
All of us know that it is by the grace of God that we are what we are and that the church is what it
Bucking Up -- Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Did you ever have someone come to you when you were down in the mouth and ready to throw in the towe

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
NULL -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Craig Kelly -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
In 2006, in the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, Charles Carl Roberts IV entered a sma
NULL -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Leah Thompson -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
The poem "Poor Angus" by children's poet Shel Silverstein is written as if it were a conversation be
NULL -- 2 Corinthians 5:20--6:10 -- Ron Love -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
In January of 2011, when Dan Uggla signed the contract to be the coach of the Atlanta Braves, he did
NULL -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Craig Kelly -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
Volunteering is often a thankless job.
NULL -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
NULL -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
I must admit, I do enjoy watching legal dramas on television.
NULL -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Before dictionaries, people spelled things… well, however they wanted to.
NULL -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Rudyard Kipling, best known as the author of The Jungle Book, wrote a poem titled The Whit
NULL -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
On March 8, 1971, Madison Square Garden in New York City was abuzz.
NULL -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Exodus 17:1-7
NULL -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
I have no problem with aging and getting older.
NULL -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
In word processing programs, one of the formatting choices is the "justification." Options include l
NULL -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Elie Wiesel is most often recognized for his book Night, in which he recounts his captivity a
NULL -- John 4:5-42 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
One of the "holy grails" of modern technology is the long-lasting battery.
NULL -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Genesis 12:1-4a
NULL -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Mohandas Gandhi once said, "Prayer is not an old woman's idle amusement.
NULL -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
"I will bless you so that you will be a blessing." Are you blessed with special talents?
NULL -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Sometimes I wish I could have been there in the room with Thomas Edison when he heard the first reco
NULL -- John 3:1-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
When the sixteenth-century explorer Ferdinand Magellan came to the shores of South America, his crew
NULL -- John 3:1-17 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Mother Teresa once said, "Be kind and merciful.
NULL -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
1 Samuel 16:1-13
NULL -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
"Expect the unexpected!" How often have you gone to a job interview or meeting having built up a par
NULL -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
David Livingston was placed gently on his bed. Ill, few believed he could live until morning.
NULL -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Craig Kelly -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
I never experienced complete darkness until I was a teenager.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

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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