Emphasis Preaching Journal

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (vv. 28-29)

Hi, everyone! (Let them respond.) We have another story about Jesus today, are you ready? (Let them respond.)

There’s all this cool stuff and most times we can get exactly what we want, when we want it. During the pandemic there were shortages, however, which we took with ill grace.

David has abused his position as king to murder a man and steal his wife. His greatest concern seems to have been keeping up appearances. Even he can see the injustice, however, when confronted by the prophet Nathan’s parable. Nathan reminds David of all God has done for him, but he has not lived a life worthy of his calling

2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a
David was certainly not the last powerful man to take sexual advantage of a woman. We think of Bill Clinton and Matt Lauer (and Donald Trump has indicated he would like to do it). Martin Luther says that such behavior is the essence of sin:

Contents
“Seeing Your Sin” by Peter Andrew Smith
“Finally Home” by David O. Bales
“It’s How You Speak the Truth” by David O. Bales
 

Seeing Your Sins
by Peter Andrew Smith
2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a

Sally watched Joe make his way toward the group of other preschoolers playing in the church hall. She started forward when he stumbled and looked like he was going to fall but stopped when he stayed upright. She stepped back as he laughed upon reaching his friends.

"Do you want a sandwich?" asked Tony's mum. Tony was eyeing the cake, but he thought it was unlikely his mother would let him have any cake until he'd eaten a sandwich or two.

"Oh, all right," he muttered, ungraciously. He reached across the picnic table for a ham sandwich. He removed the top layer of bread to check whether there was mustard on the ham. He didn't like mustard. The ham was clear, so Tony lifted it out of the bread and ate it. While his mother wasn't looking, he crumbled the bread and tossed it to the seagulls.

Scripture Reference
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.
-- Ephesians 4:11

Materials Needed
Three potatoes
Card stock printed with scripture reference and verse

Telling The Story

We had a very tasty meal. So when the tour guide said, "Let's load the bus and visit the site," I think I was near the front of the line. Lunch that day was pita bread and tilapia, a round thin fish that resembles a sunfish. Our destination was Tabgha, a spot on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is a couple of stones' throw from the ruins of Capernaum, at the bottom of the hill where Jesus gave the Beatitudes.