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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

When reading through a book... -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
When reading through a book like Foxe's Book of Martyrs or DC Talk's Jesus Freaks, you
Pastor Ted Wardlaw describes a communion service... -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Pastor Ted Wardlaw describes a communion service he held a number of years ago in Atlanta.
It's like Salvador Dali... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
It's like Salvador Dali came into the gospel and painted a story -- Salvador Dali, of the dripping c
There usually isn't too much of a problem... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
There usually isn't too much of a problem if someone cannot make it to a wedding for some good reaso
When Benjamin Franklin died... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
When Benjamin Franklin died, late in the evening of April 17, 1790, he had a picture of the Day of J
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 (2011) -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Exodus 33:12-23
Some things are simply too powerful for us to gaze upon... -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Some things are simply too powerful for us to gaze upon.
Moses had a special relationship with God... -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
As our biblical passage indicates, Moses had a special relationship with God.
Charles Darwin remains a controversial individual... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Ron Love -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Charles Darwin remains a controversial individual because of his theory of evolution.
Through darker times in our lives... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Through darker times in our lives, the faiths of others can become invaluable.
Amnesty International is an organization... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Amnesty International is an organization that works to free prisoners of conscience around the world
Marcus Borg, in his provocative book... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Marcus Borg, in his provocative book simply titled Jesus, gives us a radically different inte
The American tax code is often the source of headaches... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
The American tax code is often the source of headaches for many people during the first part of the
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2011) -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Julie prayed daily for the persecuted church in North Korea... -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
Since high school, Julie prayed daily for the persecuted church in North Korea and over time her hea
Abraham Lincoln was shot six days after the Confederate surrender... -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
On April 14, 1865, arguably the greatest president in the history of the United States was assassina
One of the earliest problems with microscopy... -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
One of the earliest problems with microscopy was the fact that only one person at a time could look
It is estimated that there are over 30,000 Christian missionaries... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
It is estimated that there are over 30,000 Christian missionaries in the unevangelized world today.
Preaching professor Tom Long... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
Preaching professor Tom Long tells a story about shopping in a grocery store one day.
An old brain-teaser... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
An old brain-teaser: "A man and his son are on a fishing trip when their boat capsizes.
One of the most famous riddles is that of the Sphinx... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
One of the most famous riddles is that of the Sphinx: "What creature goes on four legs in the mornin
Carol Burnett was struggling financially... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
Carol Burnett was struggling financially to remain at UCLA as a drama student.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2011) -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
Joshua 3:7-17
God provided a way through the Jordan River... -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
In this passage, we see a genuine miracle.
The novelist Thomas Wolfe... -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
The novelist Thomas Wolfe who wrote the classic You Can't Go Home Again, wrote the following

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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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