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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Before accepting my last call... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
Before accepting my last call, I had been an active member in a large community choir.
Here's an odd example of... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
Here's an odd example of grace:
St. Anselm described himself as... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
St. Anselm described himself as someone with faith seeking understanding.
A woman named Elizabeth was... -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
A woman named Elizabeth was hospitalized for surgery, and was placed in a room with another patient.
When early Christian theologians used... -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
When early Christian theologians used the image of a sacrificial lamb, such as was slaughtered at th
Maryanne Johns walked past a... -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
Maryanne Johns walked past a church every day on her way to work.
A woman who greatly feared... -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
A woman who greatly feared the water was so afraid that she would not accompany her husband on his b
Another conflict situation! thought Glenn... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
"Another conflict situation!" thought Glenn. "That's all I seem to work on these days."
As a teenager I had... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
As a teenager I had several operations that together forced me to take three months away from school
There was a wonderful church... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
There was a wonderful church, on fire for the Lord, spiritually strengthened by revival services and
Humorist Lewis Grizzard recalls a... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
Humorist Lewis Grizzard recalls a dispute in a church in his hometown of Moreland, Georgia.
Repentance means to turn around... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
Repentance means to turn around.
The Master had taught his... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
The Master had taught his disciples to dance and said, "Follow me." Immediately they left their depr
Charles Ferrell, a retired pastor... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
Charles Ferrell, a retired pastor, writes of his youth:
Don't answer that! the teenager... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
"Don't answer that!" the teenager yelled as she scrambled to where the phone was ringing.
Technology makes it possible for... -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
Technology makes it possible for us not to have to deal face-to-face with each other, but sometimes
They had tried everything -- new... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
They had tried everything -- new worship styles, bigger ads in the Yellow Pages, evangelism programs
Have you ever wondered just... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Have you ever wondered just what it was that enabled Paul to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Two young adults met, and... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Two young adults met, and it was love at first sight.
One evening in the town... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
One evening in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, the father of poet Emily Dickinson hurried to his
For many people, including the... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
For many people, including the people of Israel, knowing from whom you came is an important consider
On Epiphany Sunday, the pastor... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
On Epiphany Sunday, the pastor at a church we were visiting invited the children forward for the chi
Back in 1984, a French... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Back in 1984, a French perfume creator figured out a way to combine all three of the Magi's gifts in
Three wise men, called Faith... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Three wise men, called Faith, Hope, and Love, saw the star that beckoned them.
Valerie had been a pastor... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
Valerie had been a pastor for several years. She knew her theology.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For November 16, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Another natural disaster has flattened a number of coastal communities. Despite the weather and major television station warnings, and government disaster preparations, the dystopian destruction nightmare of Luke 21 has decimated another community. Also, it is reasonable to believe that this is not the last year for hurricanes, Tsunami’s, wildfires, mudslides and tornados. They will occur again. However, as weary citizens are interviewed in one group of people with the background of homes in rubble and streets still draining flood waters, they will not leave. This is their home.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez

Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (v. 25)

A week after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, country singer Toby Keith — who died Feb. 5, 2024 — wrote a patriotic ballad titled “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” It was filled with populist fighting rhetoric that matched the mood of a nation shaken by the shocking death and destruction of that day.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A blood pressure monitor. It is actually called a sphygmomanometer, and is pronounced “sfig·mow·muh·naa’·muh·tr”.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

John W. Clarke
No reading of Luke is complete without coming to realize that Luke is concerned that the world understands that Jesus is the hope of the world and that any teaching that leads away from that fact is a false teaching. No matter what, no matter when, Jesus will be there to give us life.

Scott Suskovic
Whoever does not work should not eat!
-- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Wow! Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? Not a lot of ambiguity in that rule. "You don't work, you don't eat." For a religion based on grace, it seems a bit unyielding.

Mark Ellingson
Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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