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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Genesis 25:19-24 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
James Harnish contends that no single fact is more basic to his life's narrative that this: "I have
NULL -- Genesis 25:19-34 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
There is an old axiom that is very true: "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Value is a ver
NULL -- Romans 8:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
"Beautiful tyrant!" "Damned saint!" "Honorable villain!" "Feather of lead!" "Loving hate!" "Heavy li
NULL -- Romans 8:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
Albuquerque police office Trey Economidy received national attention when a posting to his Facebook
NULL -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
I have a friend that lives about a half hour's drive outside of the city in which I live.
NULL -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
On the day Abraham Lincoln was born his older cousin Dennis Hanks went over to see the newborn baby.
NULL -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
Genesis 28:10-19a
NULL -- Genesis 28:10-19a -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
You always feel a little embarrassed when you get caught being unobservant.
NULL -- Genesis 28:10-19a -- Ron Love -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
We are celebrating over the next four years the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.
NULL -- Romans 8:12-25 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
I recently read an article in the Orlando Sentinel about a 55-year-old man named James Bain.
NULL -- Romans 8:12-25 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
Tony Campolo notes that Christians and environmentalists, those who love the Creator and those who l
NULL -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
Tom was the new CEO of a small company in financial trouble.
NULL -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Ron Love -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
The Grammy Awards have dropped a significant number of categories eligible for recognition -- decrea
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
Genesis 29:15-28
NULL -- Genesis 29:15-28 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
I don't usually watch TV while I work out at our local YMCA, but I happened one day to notice a stor
NULL -- Genesis 29:15-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
Mark Feldmeir in his Testimony to the Exiles tells the story of Lance Armstrong.
NULL -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Ron Love -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
Everyone in the village believed Pendle Hill was haunted by demons.
NULL -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
"How much do you love me?" We have all heard that question -- from a sibling, from a child, from a l
NULL -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
William J.
NULL -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
In today's instant information culture, we can easily see how something can grow from the proverbial
NULL -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
Genesis 32:22-31
NULL -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- Ron Love -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
In 1614, Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe in Jamestown.
NULL -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
There's nothing like an injury to serve as a permanent reminder of something.
NULL -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
Despite the apostle Paul's conversion to Christianity he did not abandon the heart and essence of hi
NULL -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
Anti-Semitism is nothing new.

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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