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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
Stephen Harold Spender (1909-1995) was an English poet, novelist, and essayist who concentrated on t
NULL -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
In the April 5, 2011 issue of the Christian Century magazine, Sarah Hinlicky Wilson has an ar
NULL -- Romans 12:19-21 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
I recently heard a friend of mine talking about the story of Nicky Cruz.
It's easy to talk about things that are far away... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
It's easy to talk about things that are far away.
Boastful of his drug addictions... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
Charlie Sheen, boastful of his drug addictions, parties with porn stars, and confrontations with CBS
Sermons Illustrations For Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 (2011) -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
Exodus 12:1-14
The story of visiting an old woman... -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
Peter Gomes tells the story of visiting an old woman in a nursing home who had to downsize her posse
My wife's family has some German in their background... -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
My wife's family has some German in their background, so after I married her I was introduced to the
Have you ever had an outfit or a pair of jeans... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
Have you ever had an outfit or a pair of jeans that fit so well that they just felt natural to wear
It's all about getting your priorities straight... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
It's all about getting your priorities straight.
Early politicians required feedback from the public... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered importan
Writing about relationships in the church... -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
Leonard Sweet, writing about relationships in the church, contends that to say "relationship" is to
A megachurch is defined as a church with 2,000 or more... -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
A megachurch is defined as a church with 2,000 or more in average weekly attendance.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2011) -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Exodus 14:19-31
Imagine you're in middle school... -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Imagine you're in middle school, sitting in detention when another student whispers to you, "I have
Things just worked out for Gloria... -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Things just worked out for Gloria. She was a bright student. She got along with her parents.
During the Revolutionary War... -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Ron Love -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington knew how important it was to be a God-fearin
Many churches recite a creed as part of their liturgy... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Many churches recite a creed as part of their liturgy, either the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Cree
The lack of civility in our churches and in our nation... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
The lack of civility in our churches and in our nation as a whole is a mark of our time.
There is a company in Florence, South Carolina... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Ron Love -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
There is a company in Florence, South Carolina, that has been making bricks for 125 years.
When we look at someone else's wrongs or shortcomings... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
When we look at someone else's wrongs or shortcomings, it's easy to miss our own since we frequently
Jennifer's mom gave her $5... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Jennifer's mom gave her $5 to buy some fries at the fair. "Keep the change," her mom said.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2011) -- Exodus 16:12-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
Exodus 16:12-15
In 1988 Arthur Rooney Sr. died... -- Exodus 16:12-15 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
In 1988 Arthur Rooney Sr. died.
I had my own preconceptions about what I would find... -- Exodus 16:12-15 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
I have to admit, when I first started looking into this, I had my own preconceptions about what I wo

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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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