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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

At local taverns, pubs, and bars... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- Ron Love -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers.
The Johnsons owned a hardware store... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
The Johnsons owned a hardware store and they devoted their lives to their business -- tracking what
In the popular game show To Tell the Truth... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
In the popular game show To Tell the Truth, a celebrity panel would ask questions to a group
John Ambrose Wood... -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
John Ambrose Wood, father of author Catherine Marshall, was a pastor who served mostly rural churche
From a secular perspective... -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Craig Kelly -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
From a secular perspective, leadership is viewed as a measurement of status or charisma, a sign that
Sermon Illustrations for Reformation Day (2011) -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Ladies wore corsets... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front.
Two types of laws... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
We can think of two types of laws: external and internal.
If you live in Ohio... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Leah Thompson -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
If you live in Ohio, you don't walk around saying, "Hey! Do you know about Ohio?
There are very few guarantees in this world but one is sin... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Craig Kelly -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
I recently found a website that I found amusing (http://www
In his days as an Augustinian monk... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
In his days as an Augustinian monk Martin Luther had a great fear of the Law as set forth in the scr
It's warm and bright... -- John 8:31-36 -- Leah Thompson -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
It's warm and bright. You're basking contentedly when someone walks up to you. "Here," they say.
Five weeks before Benjamin Franklin's death... -- John 8:31-36 -- Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
Five weeks before his death, Benjamin Franklin received an inquiry about his beliefs from a Congrega
America places an enormous emphasis on freedom... -- John 8:31-36 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
Like many other nations, America places an enormous emphasis on freedom.
In Revelation 7, the angels, the elders... -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
In Revelation 7, the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures begin to sing: "Amen!
One of my favorite parts of watching the Olympics is... -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Craig Kelly -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
One of my favorite parts of watching the Olympics is the parade of nations during the opening ceremo
Children show only a hint of what they will become... -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Children show only a hint of what they will become.
Imagine you were raised by wolves... -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- Brian Hohmeier -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Imagine you were raised by wolves. You can envision how different your behavior would be.
As all the other Anglicans in church knelt at their pews... -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- Ron Love -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
During prayer as all the other Anglicans in church knelt at their pews, George Washington would stan
Many of the most powerful, influential documents in history... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Craig Kelly -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Many of the most powerful, influential documents in history have famous first lines.
Philip Yancey praises Monika Hellwig's 10 "advantages of the poor"... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Philip Yancey praises Monika Hellwig's 10 "advantages of the poor":
NULL -- Joshua 24:1-25, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
Joshua 24:1-25
NULL -- Joshua 24:1-25 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
Bill Murray had completed school and was doing very well for himself.
NULL -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
In the television show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Will is a ladies man who for years had no
NULL -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
Choices. Life is about choices. No one understands this more, perhaps, than refugees.

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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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