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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

He was an eminent surgeon... -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
He was an eminent surgeon. I called on his stately home one evening raising funds for the
Josiah Harlan was the first... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
Josiah Harlan was the first American to enter Afghanistan. In the 1830s, Harlan traveled
Just before the outbreak of... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
Just before the outbreak of World War I, a small ship named Endurance set sail
I grew up in a... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
I grew up in a rural community in western Iowa. Our church was a little Evangelical
One denomination has for its... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
One denomination has for its mission motto: "A world without borders." Writing to an
Stuff is important. You gotta... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
Stuff is important. You gotta take care of your stuff. You gotta have a place for your
Jim was an old bachelor... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
Jim was an old bachelor who farmed in the district since he was a young man. No one
The father's tone was harsh... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
The father's tone was harsh toward his five-year-old son. "Not now, Tyler," he said as he
Hostility holds many hostages. Spouses... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
Hostility holds many hostages. Spouses, brothers and sisters, neighbors, business
Many Christians play at religion... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
Many Christians play at religion, prancing along the shores of the great ocean of God and
After leading the fourth worship... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
After leading the fourth worship service of the day, I was tired, hungry, grouchy, and
In 1956, in the little... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
In 1956, in the little town of Crestline, California, in an area popular for camping, a new
Much of today's church has... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
Much of today's church has been affected one way or another with worship wars. Perhaps
When we get our spiritual... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
When we get our spiritual house in order, we'll be dead. This goes on. You arrive at
The farm community was abuzz... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
The farm community was abuzz. One farmer told of a two-headed calf that one of his
A seminary requires all of... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
A seminary requires all of its students to travel to what is commonly referred to as a
How strong is your faith... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
How strong is your faith? "Firm and unshakable," you say. "It's intense and invincible."
The high school basketball players... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
The high school basketball players sprawled on the floor, sweating, panting, and excited.
The New Testament refers to... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
The New Testament refers to the second coming of Christ in over 300 verses. That means
R. G. LeTourneau, a self... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
R. G. LeTourneau, a self-taught industrialist and builder, was a dedicated Christian with a
Years from now, when people... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
Years from now, when people dig through the history of our time, I wonder what word
A story is told about... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
A story is told about a "yuppie" who was in a car accident on a dangerous mountain road.
At times, we need to... -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
At times, we need to know that the Lord is a God of justice. When slumbering giants of
One noxious weed that western... -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
One noxious weed that western Canadian farmers do battle with each year is wild oats. It
Brittany has been through a... -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
Brittany has been through a lot in her seventeen years. She was only a toddler when her

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UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 21
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 22
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 23
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
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New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A football, a hand-held microphone, a camera, a stack of play money bills. These are the objects I used, but you can use any objects that might symbolize “success”.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
For October 20, 2024:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. (v. 4)

The outhouse on the farm where I grew up was beside the ash pile, at the end of a well-worn path, under a boxelder tree about fifty yards from the back door of the house. It was a two-seater – cold in winter, smelly and hot in summer. There was always a Sears and Roebuck catalogue on the floor in the corner, which served as both reading and wiping material.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Frank Ramirez
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
Most people assume God’s answer to Job, showing him the depth and breadth of the universe is meant to cow Job’s resistance, leading him, now broken, to repent, abjectly saying “...therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes (42:6).”
Mark Ellingsen
All the lessons testify to the theme that it’s not at all about you and me; it’s all about God!

Job 38:1-7 (34-41)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, "What is it you want me to do for you?" In our worship, let us explore what we want Jesus to do for us today.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we are sometimes selfish in our requests to you.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, we are sometimes unreasonable in our requests to you.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, help us to make you the centre of our world.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

David E. Leininger
The story of Job is familiar to all of us -- a man whose world was spinning merrily along with everything falling into place is suddenly confronted with one misery after another ... disaster, death, disease, and despair. In some of the most moving poetry ever written, chapter after chapter attempts to deal with the age-old question of why, so often, life is unfair.

Schuyler Rhodes
The voice of praise rings beautifully through this psalm as each verse gives poetic color to the glories of creation and its maker. It is something to be read and re-read as we contemplate the wonders of God.
Steven Molin
There is a candy shop in the city of Keystone, South Dakota, just a few hundred yards down the mountain from that infamous Mount Rushmore monument. I can't tell you the name of that candy store, but I can certainly recall the sign on the counter that stands at just about eyeball-level for the average seven-year-old. The sign says this: "If Mom says, 'No,' ask Grandma!"

Harold C. Warlick, Jr.
An elementary principle in the business world is the law of supply and demand. When supplies outrace the demand for a product, prices are low. We call that a "buyer's market." On the other hand, when there are more buyers demanding a product than there are supplies of the product, prices are high. We call that situation a "seller's market."

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