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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Ron Love -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
"Stand Down" is a program sponsored by the American Legion for homeless veterans.
NULL -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
It's a long day at work. You're swamped. Meeting after meeting, problem after problem.
NULL -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
NULL -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Ira Progoff, in his book At a Journal Workshop, tells the story that in the middle of the nin
NULL -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Sometimes the greatest accomplishments in life emerge out of the greatest tragedies.
NULL -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Ron Love -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Middleweight boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was sentenced to death on a 1966 conviction of a triple
NULL -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
If you have a family, you know what it is like to love many people with all your heart -- that is, e
NULL -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Kathleen Norris in Amazing Grace tells of a low time in her life when her husband became seri
NULL -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Many people have probably heard the story of Horatio Spafford.
NULL -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Genesis 45:1-15
NULL -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Ron Love -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Sophia Gimenez, of Denver, has been keeping a continuous blog on her journey to be admitted to colle
NULL -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Could you hide something from your siblings?
NULL -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Lewis Smedes tells of his early days as a seminary professor when he ran into trouble with the more
NULL -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
My wife is currently in nursing school, and she is getting ready to finish a class in Lifespan Psych
NULL -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Sometimes we are in situations where we cannot do the things that we want to do.
NULL -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Ron Love -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Dennis McClung, of Mesa, Arizona, believes that the world is going to end on December 12, 2012 -- 12
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2011) -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
Exodus 1:8--2:10
Gregory Knox Jones tells the story... -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
Gregory Knox Jones tells the story of an unusual golf course in Calcutta, India.
One defining trend in the persecuted church today... -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
If there is one defining trend in the persecuted church today, it's that the more the church is pers
Gary Player, the professional golfer... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Ron Love -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
Gary Player, the professional golfer who was called the "Black Knight," looked back on his life at t
Mrs. Johnson was perfect for her job... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
Mrs. Johnson was perfect for her job.
In C.S. Lewis' work The Silver Chair... -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
In C.S.
There is something about the notion of mistaken identity... -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
There is something about the notion of mistaken identity that captures the imagination, especially i
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2011) -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
Exodus 3:1-15
NULL -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
We like names.

Political Pulpit

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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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