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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In the 1700s many women had blemishes and pale skin... -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
In the 1700s many women had blemishes and pale skin that they wanted to enliven.
Most of us have heard the old saying... -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
Most of us have heard the old saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too." This would drive me
Jordan is a professional football player... -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
Jordan is a professional football player.
You've probably heard about deathbed conversions... -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
You've probably heard about "deathbed conversions" where someone comes to faith in Christ just befor
If you have seen the movie Amadeus... -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
If you have seen the movie Amadeus about the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, you probably re
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2011) -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
Exodus 17:1-7
Living in a desert nation... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
Living in a desert nation, it would have been no news to Moses that you could get water from strikin
We always want more... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
We always want more. Sometimes it is greed: we want more wealth, a bigger house, another car.
In the October 1739 edition of Poor Richard's Almanac... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
In the October 1739 edition of Poor Richard's Almanac, Benjamin Franklin made this astute obs
We live in a society dominated by the American dream... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
We live in a society dominated by the American dream.
When Wayne Muller was ordained he invited Henri Nouwen to preach... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
When Wayne Muller was ordained he invited Henri Nouwen to preach his ordination sermon.
Everybody at school calls Crystal names behind her back... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
Everybody at school calls Crystal names behind her back. Bad names.
In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair.
It can be tempting to look admiringly at some politicians... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
It can be tempting to look admiringly at some politicians for the amount of power they hold.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 (2011) -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
There have been many historical inspirations... -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
There have been many historical inspirations for our current system of law and jurisprudence.
There is an old story about a bandit... -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
There is an old story about a bandit in the Far East who was badly injured and taken to a Christian
President John Adams described himself as... -- Philippians 3:4-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
President John Adams described himself as "a church-going animal." He and his wife Abigail believed
Louise was born to a family of accountants... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Louise was born to a family of accountants -- brilliant accountants, no less -- CPAs.
In our own time... -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
"Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that pro
Impeachment is a process... -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Impeachment is a process in which a government official is removed because of unlawful activity comm
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 (2011) -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Exodus 32:1-14
It's easy to see and condemn the impetuousness of the Israelites... -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
It's easy to see and condemn the impetuousness of the Israelites who with their own eyes had seen th
Grandpa died when Maggie was a baby... -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Grandpa died when Maggie was a baby.
In the late 1800s... -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
In the late 1800s, Native Americans were considered "wards" of the federal government.

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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