In Preaching Articles: "Best Illustration"

Pride Comes Before A Bad Sermon

By Tim Raymond on Feb 22, 2026

By all means, do your best in the preparation and delivery of your messages, but leave the results entirely up to God.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18, James 5:17, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Galatians 6:2

Tags: Preaching, encouragement, Pride, preaching, Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

4 Weapons Of Mass Distraction In A Leader’s Life

By Charles Stone on Nov 12, 2023

Ask yourself which of these four weapons of mass distraction divert you the most from leading at your best.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Tags: leadership, focus, distractions, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Effective Leadership, Leading Others Well, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Shorten Your Sermon

By Peter Mead on Aug 19, 2024

Preaching time is limited, and sermons easily expand. These practical tips show how to trim intros, illustrations, context, conclusions, and post-sermon elements wisely.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:4, Ecclesiastes 5:2  (view more)  (view less)

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

Finishing (Your Sermon) Well

By Michael Voll on Dec 4, 2022

Come Sunday morning many times we preachers fill our sermons with funny stories, but forget to point to the ultimate story of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, illustration, application, pastoral leadership, sermon prep, preaching Christ, preaching the gospel, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Bethlehem This Day Resembles Heaven

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 19, 2023

One the earliest--and one of the best--Christmas sermons ever preached. You're invited to John Chrysostom's place for Christmas!

Tags:

When The Pastor Has An Affair

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 15, 2022

Let me to share some of the best responses I have heard from churches that have gone through this tragic time.

Tags: Affair, Church Health, Pastoral Character, sexual immorality

Preaching For A Special Occasion? Here's Guidance

By Dr. Daniel Akin on Oct 22, 2021

Compromise of biblical truth is not an option, but doing one's best to extend Christ-honoring grace and goodwill should be at the front and center of our agenda.

Scripture: John 4:1-30, Luke 1:67-80

Tags: Exposition, Preaching, Biblical truth, Betray, good story, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

8 Lame Excuses Church Leaders Make

By Carey Nieuwhof on Mar 27, 2023

One of the best practices you can develop as a leader is to identify your excuses and eliminate them. Start thinking and talking a different game.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, church culture, Explanation, Rules, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of Simplicity - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Aug 28, 2023

This option overload poignantly illustrates the increasing complexity of our world. It begs the question “in a world that is increasing in speed and complexity, how do we move toward simplicity?"

Tags: responsibility, Simplicity, Boundaries

5 Must-Know Facts About First-Time Visitors

By Rick Ezell on Nov 2, 2021

Most guests decide whether they’ll return within minutes. Churches that prioritize hospitality, friendliness, and clear navigation create the best chance for impact.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, Luke 15:20-24

Tags: Grace, guest, Celebrate, Hospitality, Visitors, grace  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Lead When You’re Limping

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 7, 2023

The truth is, the best leaders I know have a limp of some nature. It may not be visible, but if you are around them long, they will display remnants of a previous injury.

Tags: Preaching, lead, preaching

25 Easter Follow-Up Sermon And Worship Ideas

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 9, 2023

One of the best ways to follow up with your Easter guests, as well as to encourage your church members, is by preaching about living out the new life we have in Christ.

Tags: Worship, Preaching, sermon series, after easter, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

21 Palm Sunday Quotes That Will Preach

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 31, 2020

We've gathered the best quotes we could find from sermons on SermonCentral.com to help you think through that Palm Sunday message and how this historic event applies to us today.

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10

Tags: Palm Sunday Quotes

How To Preach Without Cabin Pressure

By Ron Forseth on Aug 9, 2023

Preaching is an opportunity to creatively illustrate the urgency of the gospel and to challenge believers to watch for those people God brings into their lives to tell them about Christ—or at least to invite them to church to hear it where they know their pastor will consistently and clearly share the good news.

Tags: priorities, Evangelism Urgency, preaching Christ, Call to salvation

The Power Of Multisensory Preaching

By Rick Blackwood on Jun 1, 2020

Multisensory preaching engages more of the listener, increases clarity and retention, and can reignite your joy in teaching by making sermons more vivid and memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Church, Communication, Preaching, pastor, wake up, Cohabitation, illustration, Clarity, time is at hand, Homiletics, Awake, Dress Properly, adult children, Communication General, God's dwelling place, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, communication, preaching, church, sermon preparation, Teaching Tools, Pastoral Communication, Creative Ministry  (view more)  (view less)