In Preaching Articles: "Alone With God"

Dealing Hope In The Darkest Of Nights

By Dave Furman on Jan 20, 2022

God delivered me from the darkness of despair through my friends and family as they shared their hope with me. I’m not talking about a shove-it-in-your-face kind of “sharing.” They didn’t try to explain all my problems away or attempt to explain all of God’s intentions for my suffering.

Scripture: Job 2:11-13

Tags: Jesus, Hope, friendship, Depression

The Parable Of The Pharisee And Tax Collector: A Call To Humility

By Josh Read on Oct 27, 2025

In the heart of Luke’s Gospel, we find the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). It showcases a stark contrast between two men who approach God, revealing deeper truths about humility, self-righteousness, and access to God's mercy. As pastors seeking to communicate God’s word effectively to our congregations, it’s essential to explore these themes and draw practical applications that encourage genuine humility in our walk with Christ.

Scripture: Luke 18:12-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, James 1:17, Romans 3:23

Tags: Parable, Humility

Five Essential Reasons For Christians To Gather In Public Worship

By Brian Croft on Nov 2, 2023

Does church attendance really matter? Here are five important reasons why it is essential that every Christian gather with other Christians in the same local church weekly to hear the preaching of God’s Word.

Scripture: Romans 10:17, Hebrews 10:25, Hebrews 13:17

Tags: Community, Discipleship, Church Attendance, church membership, Christian community, Growing in Faith, Connected, Covenant Community, community, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preaching Grace Feels Dangerous

By Peter Mead on Jun 27, 2020

Many pastors affirm grace while quietly qualifying it. This piece challenges preachers to proclaim God’s grace in its full, radical purity without diluting it with human safeguards or legal add-ons.

Scripture: Galatians 2:21, Galatians 5:1, Romans 6:1-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 2:11-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: law and Gospel, Law And Gospel

Does Our Culture Make Kids Feel Ashamed Of Their Faith?

By Focus On The Family on Sep 9, 2022

As Christians, we all know how important it is to equip kids with a sense of joy in reading God’s Word and the confidence to freely express their faith in Jesus. But that goal is becoming more difficult in today’s culture.

Tags: Apologetics The Bible, Training children, Children's Faith

Are You Preaching With A Plastic Voice?

By Dr. David Teague on Jul 17, 2020

Society is filled with plastic voices. Preaching requires someone to embody the Word of God.

Scripture: Numbers 23:7, Psalm 36:1, Isaiah 13:1, Jeremiah 23:33-38, Romans 12:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Incarnation, voice, Pastoral Formation

10 Ways Preaching Changes The Preacher

By Ben Reed on Sep 20, 2024

Preaching shapes the preacher by deepening prayer, study, humility, worship, and dependence on God.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, James 3:1, 1 Timothy 4:16, Psalm 119:18, Acts 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation

11 Times When Preaching Hurts More Than It Helps

By Joseph Mattera on Feb 8, 2024

Preaching is vital to God's purposes--that's why we must get it right.

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-15

Tags: Hurt, Preaching, Purpose, help, Vital, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Reasons Good Preaching Is As Important As Ever

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 28, 2022

People love to tell you that preaching is irrelevant in this day and age. But contrary to this kind of thinking, good preaching does remain important. In fact, preaching remains as important as it has ever been.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, faithful preaching, Value of Preaching, Modern Age, Busy Culture, Shepherd the Flock, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Tips For Understanding Any Passage Of The Bible

By Brandon Smith on Dec 1, 2022

Whatever you do, just read the Bible.

Tags: Study, Prayer, BIBLE STUDY, godly character, Bible Study, Reading God's Word, Christian community, personal holiness, Personal Devotions, bible study  (view more)  (view less)

When The Cabin Loses Pressure: Preaching The Gospel With Urgent Clarity

By Ron Forseth on Mar 13, 2025

Preach about sin? Emphasize God’s wrath? Talk about Christ’s blood? Can that possibly have a positive effect? Most certainly. Ultimately, it’s the only way to have a lasting effect.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20

Tags: Evangelism Urgency, Expository Application

When Preaching Opportunities Are Limited

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 21, 2021

Many associate or assistant ministers feel called to preach but receive few opportunities in their local church. Faithful ministry often requires serving in supporting roles while finding other outlets to proclaim God’s Word.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:24, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Colossians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 15:58  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry, Support, Preaching, opportunity, lead, ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Kids Need Exegetical Bible Teaching For The Long Haul

By Cameron Cole on Nov 15, 2022

"Preparing kids to face the real world on their own is scary and daunting. There are only so many things we can do and there are no guarantees. Within the realm of things, we can control resides the teaching of God’s word."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Discipleship, teach, parenting, Equip, parenthood, Youth Ministry, guard the truth, child training  (view more)  (view less)

We All Need Adversity And Affliction

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 23, 2022

I would not exchange any of my discipline-afflictions for anything. In fact, I have made it a habit to keep asking God to discipline me. This isn’t because I love affliction, but because the hope in God I’ve tasted in the promises of God I’ve trusted in the darkest days are the sweetest things my soul has ever known.

Scripture: Psalm 119:71-72, Hebrews 12:11

Tags: Adversity, sanctification, Hardship of Life, Spiritual Maturity, Christian Maturity, joy in trials, spiritual immaturity, fruit of sorrow  (view more)  (view less)

How To Powerfully Preach A Narrative Passage

By Brandon Kelley on Feb 17, 2021

People love stories, and that is what narrative is. When we can powerfully preach a narrative passage, we’ll see people not only respond to the message, but they’ll become more in awe at God’s word!

Tags: Preaching, preach, Narrative Passage, preaching