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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18 -- Craig Kelly -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2011
When reading this passage, it is saddening how much it parallels our own history.
NULL -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2011
Before the missionary Hudson Taylor made his famous first trip to China, he was a struggling medical
NULL -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2011
Not too long ago, the company Liberty Mutual put out an interesting series of commercials.
NULL -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Ron Love -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2011
In George Washington's day, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted.
NULL -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2011
I heard of a bishop who preached at the chapel at Yale University.
NULL -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Craig Kelly -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2011
One may not think that ingratitude is a problem in our society but consider this: I have worked with
Nine Illustrations for 2011 -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Isaiah 64:1-9
Israel received the Law... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Brian Hohmeier -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
When Israel received the Law, they began practicing what is called a strict purity code.
Sometimes as a child you get into situations... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Sometimes as a child you get into situations that you don't like and all you want is your parents.
Thomas Jefferson was a deist... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Thomas Jefferson was a deist.
It's always tough waiting for the big reveal... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
It's always tough waiting for the big reveal.
According to the apostle Paul... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
According to the apostle Paul, God has given "spiritual gifts" to the church.
At first, it's fun to keep watch... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
At first, it's fun to keep watch.
When parents leave their children home alone... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Brian Hohmeier -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
When parents leave their children home alone for the evening for the first time, this can be a subst
What is the connection... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
What is the connection between Mark's depiction of the last day and the life, death, and resurrectio
In the past, common entertainment included... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
In the past, common entertainment included playing cards.
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2011) -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Revelation 7:9-17
Multiple Illustrations for Advent 2 -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Isaiah 40:1-11
What's the most comforting thing you've been told... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
What's the most comforting thing you've been told when you feel like life is beating down on you, wh
Prominent on the upper left arm of Angelina Jolie... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Prominent on the upper left arm of Angelina Jolie was the name of her husband, Billy Bob Thornton.
'Are we there yet? Are we there yet?' -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
"Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" is an often-heard line on long trips.
Rob Bell, in his controversial book Love Wins... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Rob Bell, in his controversial book Love Wins, comments:
Paul Revere was employed by the Boston Committee... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Paul Revere was employed by the Boston Committee on Correspondence and the Massachusetts Committee o
After a woman had been driving all night through... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
After a woman had been driving all night through the desert, she was famished, parched, and exhauste
Multiple Illustrations for Advent 3 -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

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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.

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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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