In Preaching Articles: "Be Prepared"

A Preaching Q&a With David Platt

By David Platt on Feb 14, 2025

David Platt explains how Scripture governs his preaching, preparation, and pastoral priorities, emphasizing clarity, Christ-centered exposition, and total dependence on God’s Word.

Tags: Learning, BIBLICAL TEACHING, Expository Preaching, Sermon Preparation, expository preaching, sermon preparation, Biblical Teaching, David Platt  (view more)  (view less)

9 Preaching Mistakes You Must Avoid

By Julian Freeman on Jun 2, 2025

From preparation to delivery, keep an eye out for these preaching traps.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, Enough, preaching

8 Questions To Ask Before You Preach A Sermon

By Josh Reich on Oct 16, 2022

8 questions to ask as you prepare to preach your next sermon.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Preaching Help, pastoral leadership, preaching the Word, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, effective preaching, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Practice Your Sermon Delivery? Yes: 7 Elements Of Great Practice

By Charles Stone on Nov 21, 2019

Three factors have made the biggest positive difference for me: preparing my heart before the Lord, scheduling adequate study time to avoid feeling rushed and practicing preaching my sermon.

Scripture: Mark 15:27-40

Tags: prep routine, preaching, Study, Preaching, prepare, routine  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Half-Bake Your Sermon: Part 2

By Peter Mead on Aug 13, 2024

Preaching suffers when structure is imposed, cross-references take over, application is neglected, or commentary replaces proclamation. Let the text lead.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Jeremiah 23:29, Luke 24:32, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Preaching, Text, preparation, Homiletics, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

How Long Should A Sermon Be?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 10, 2020

There is no universal sermon length. What matters most is clarity, focus, and the preacher’s ability to hold attention around one central point.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 14:8, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Communication, Preaching, preparation, Homiletics, Time, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Choose Your Next Preaching Series

By John Percival on Sep 14, 2020

Seven pastoral questions to help you prayerfully and wisely choose your next sermon series and feed your church a balanced biblical diet.

Scripture: Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Colossians 1:28, Psalm 119:105  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preparation, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

One Vital Preaching Skill That Just Can't Be Faked: Do You Have It?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 14, 2025

Brandon Cox challenges us to ask ourselves the tough questions about a core value.

Tags: Preaching, prepare, listener, orator, preaching skill, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Difficult Texts In The Bible To Preach

By Joe Mckeever on May 21, 2023

The problem, of course, is not with Scripture. The problem is with us.

Scripture: John 2:3-5, Luke 4:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35, Hebrews 6:4-20

Tags: Study, Preaching, prepare, Assistance, difficult text, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Say Good-Bye: Preaching Your Last Sermon

By Chris Surber on Nov 9, 2021

People usually listen closely to your first words--and your last. Make them meaningful.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Tags: Preaching, Purpose, preparation, Goodbye, last sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Christmas Is Too Big For One Day: Why We Celebrate Advent

By Dr. Andreas Kostenberger on Dec 5, 2024

Jesus’s birth did not come in a vacuum. His coming was the culmination of centuries, even millennia, of mounting expectation of the coming Messiah and Savior of humankind.

Scripture: Genesis 3:15, 1 Samuel 13:14, Luke 2:10-11

Tags: Advent, Christmas Advent, Waiting on God, Spiritual Preparation

Just What Is Pulpit Plagiarism?

By Ron Forseth on Dec 31, 2023

A thoughtful look at plagiarism, quotation, and citation in preaching, showing how conscience, diligence, and trust shape ethical and faithful sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 10:29

Tags: Preaching, Character, Integrity, Honesty, Plagiarism, Homiletics, Pastoral Integrity, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation, Sermon Plagiarism, Preaching Ethics  (view more)  (view less)

Top 13 Preaching Mistakes

By Bob Hostetler on Jan 12, 2025

A practical guide outlining 13 common preaching mistakes, with tips to avoid them and deliver sermons that are clear, Christ-centered, and spiritually nourishing.

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, preaching tips, Pastoral Ministry, Expository Preaching, Sermon Preparation, preaching, expository preaching, sermon preparation, Preaching Tips  (view more)  (view less)

10 Preaching Questions With Matt Chandler

By Colin Adams on Jan 29, 2025

Matt Chandler reflects on preaching, preparation, personal pitfalls, and developing future preachers. His insights offer clear, practical guidance for faithful ministry.

Scripture: Mark 1:39

Tags: preparation, Adam, Guilt Offering, Leadership General, Leadership Development  (view more)  (view less)

Francis Chan: 7 Questions To Ask Before You Preach

By Francis Chan on Feb 20, 2024

In a message at a Desiring God National Conference, Francis Chan highlighted seven questions that he asks himself in preparing to preach.

Scripture: James 5:10-20

Tags: Preaching, preparation, francis chan, teach with love, desiring god, preaching  (view more)  (view less)