In Preaching Articles: "Becoming Like Christ"

Don’t Be Yourself

By Greg Morse on Dec 7, 2022

Don’t be yourself. Be something higher. Be who God predestined you to be. Be who you are in Jesus.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8

Tags: Character, Born Again, sanctification, new creation, Personal Growth, Becoming like Christ, Abide in Christ, personal holiness, Born Again  (view more)  (view less)

When The Applause Becomes A Drug

By Brady Boyd on Apr 19, 2020

Pastors face pressures that tempt them toward unhealthy escapes. One subtle danger is the craving for applause. True strength comes only from Christ, not the crowd.

Scripture: Galatians 1:10, John 3:30, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Psalm 73:26, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Addiction, leadership, Preaching, Cross, Crowd, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You Become What You Eat

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 22, 2022

Hope is to our soul what energy is to our body. Just like our bodies must have energy to keep going, our souls must have hope to keep going. So when our soul needs hope, what do we do? We feast on the promises of God.

Scripture: Hebrews 5:12, Jeremiah 29:11, John 6:35, Revelation 19:13, 2 Corinthians 1:20, John 1:1, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 15:13, Psalm 34:8, Deuteronomy 8:3, 1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 1:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Perseverance, Hope, Promises of God, soul care

Preach A Funeral Like You'll Never Be Invited Back

By Chris Surber on Jul 13, 2025

A crowd of non-churchgoers just gathered in a church. Call me crazy. I don't know much. But perhaps you should tell them about Jesus?

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Christ, Preaching, Funeral, preaching

Is The Body Of Christ In Trouble?

By Barry O. Johnson on Sep 11, 2024

Barry Johnson offers some helpful insights into the state of the Church in America, and offers a loving call for pastors to take bold steps of faith wherever God has planted them.

Tags: Gospel, Truth, Preaching, Body of Christ, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Preach Like A Pharisee?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 27, 2024

Pharisaical preaching burdens people with opinions, moralism, and guilt while starving them of grace. The pulpit must reflect Christ, not control.

Scripture: Matthew 23:4, Matthew 23:5, Titus 2:11-12, Galatians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 4:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Preaching, guilt, spiritual leadership, grace, preaching, Spiritual Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Becoming An Approachable Leader In Ministry

By Ken Sande on Mar 5, 2025

Approachability is essential for effective pastoral leadership. This guide shows how leaders earn trust, cultivate humility, and gain a “relational passport” with their people.

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 18:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Mark 10:42-45  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Peace, leadership, pastor, conflict, relationships, counsel, Communication General, Leadership General, Pastor, Leadership, church, Relational Wisdom  (view more)  (view less)

When Preaching Becomes An Idol

By Erik Raymond on Apr 24, 2025

Preaching is a gift of God, but when elevated above shepherding, evangelism, and discipleship, it can quietly harm the church.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4, John 10:14, 2 Timothy 4:5, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 2:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

Preaching The Power Of The Person Of Christ

By Peter Mead on Sep 11, 2020

When preaching loses sight of the personal God, it drifts into moralism. Captivating preaching flows from knowing and loving Christ.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:23, Genesis 1:26-27, 1 John 1:3, John 15:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Prosperity, redemption, God's Kingdom, Kingdom of God, kingdom of God, love, Kingdom Of God  (view more)  (view less)

The Church Must Preach Christ

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 7, 2022

Widely diverse philosophies of preaching vie for acceptance among contemporary clergy.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:23-25, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Romans 1:16

Tags: Preaching, Preach Christ, gospel proclamation, preaching

Live And Die By The Numbers

By Lance Witt on Apr 10, 2023

But numbers become a problem in the heart of a pastor when they move from being a point of celebration to becoming the driver of our motivation.

Scripture: Acts 2:47

Tags: motivation, Church Growth, success in ministry, intimacy with Christ

Not Every Exhortation Is Necessary

By Peter Mead on May 8, 2024

It is important to discern when an exhortation needs to be given, and when the listener is already aware of their need for growth and working hard by faith to become more like Christ.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, exhortation, Preaching Help, effective preaching, Effective Teaching, Know your audience, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Leading *chreasters* To Christ: 8 Ideas

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 17, 2025

Christmas and Easter bring many first-time church guests. Learn practical strategies churches can use to connect with holiday visitors and encourage them to return.

Scripture: Luke 19:10, Matthew 28:19, John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 10:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Outreach, New, interest, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

Death Is Dead, Christ Has Conquered

By Sam Allberry on May 22, 2024

Too many of us view the resurrection of Jesus as little more than a nice, happy conclusion to the gospel story. But the Easter story isn’t just “what happens next” to Jesus after his death. It doesn’t just wrap up the story; it fulfills it. In fact, there really is no story without it.

Scripture: Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:17

Tags: Resurrection, Gospel, Victory, Christ is Risen, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

When Creativity Crosses The Line To Become Offensive

By Calvin Miller on Apr 13, 2025

Creative preaching can clarify truth or quietly undermine it. This article reflects on when creativity serves worship and when it crosses into embarrassment.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Colossians 3:16, Romans 14:19

Tags: Church, Communication, Preaching, Confidence, Creativity, communication, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)