In Preaching Articles: "Biblical Dictionary"

The Surprising Requirement For Being An Elder

By Don Carson on Jan 23, 2023

D.A. Carson suggests that there is one unique biblical requirement for a church elder--and it may surprise you!

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Tags: elder

Framing Thanksgiving

By Mark Looyenga on Nov 14, 2024

Again and again in Scripture, biblical characters experience contentment amidst struggle or difficulty in ways that go beyond just circumstance.

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28, Ruth 1:16-17, Psalm 63:1-8, Philippians 4:11, James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6, Matthew 26:53, Matthew 27:14, Romans 12:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Thanksgiving, Contentment, gratitude, Perspective, perspective  (view more)  (view less)

John Piper: God Doesn't Take Risks

By John Piper on Mar 20, 2025

"It is hard to exaggerate how important it is for the mission of the church...to have a fully biblical vision of the greatness and the sovereignty and the glory of God."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:31, 1 Corinthians 15:31

Tags: Preaching, Risk, preaching

Why Your Congregation Is Your Second Text

By Mike Glenn on Oct 27, 2020

Pastor Mike Glenn suggests every sermon requires us to exegete our audience as well as the Biblical text. Here's why.

Tags: Preaching, Congregation, role, second text

15 Short, Great Tips For Christmas Preaching

By Peter Mead on Dec 17, 2020

Peter Mead of BiblicalPreaching.net offers 15 practical suggestions. At least one or two are sure to fit your needs.

Tags: Christmas, Fresh, Preaching, Relevance, opportunity, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Half-Bake Your Sermon: Part 2

By Peter Mead on Aug 14, 2024

We all want to be "biblical" preachers, but are we really giving the text its due? Find out in the second part of this series by Peter Mead.

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

Ed Stetzer: Preach The Gospel, And Since It’s Necessary, Use Words

By Ed Stetzer on Oct 18, 2021

"Preach the gospel. Use words if necessary." There are two basic problems with this quote: One, Francis never said it, and two, the quote is not biblical.

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Tags: Preaching, earnest, understandable, st francis of assisi, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Slow Down! And Connect Your Preaching To Lectio Divina

By C. Christopher Smith on Nov 1, 2019

If we re-cast preaching as a kind of "slow reading," we might lead our congregations into deeper engagement with the biblical text--and with one another.

Scripture: Luke 23:45-46, Psalm 1:1-6

Tags: Preaching, exegesis, lectio divina, slow reading

5 Scientifically Proven Skills That Make You A Better Leader

By Charles Stone on Mar 10, 2022

Mindfulness is a spiritual discipline akin to biblical meditation. It’s setting aside daily time to be still before God, to be in His presence in the present moment.

Tags: stress, leadership, Stress, Meditation, sound mind, Spiritual Discipline, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching On Hot Topics? 9 Outstanding Helps

By Lane Sebring on Mar 18, 2023

You want to help your people see how biblical truth intersects with every aspect of their lives. But the more controversial the topic the more important it is to handle it with care.

Scripture: Genesis 2:16-25

Tags: Hot Topics, Preaching, religious objections, thorough, cultural perspective, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

When People Criticize Your Preaching

By Lance Witt on Jan 9, 2021

Gifted speakers and novices alike experience this unenjoyable aspect: people's criticism. In today's Pastor to Pastor, Lance Witt discusses a proper response from a biblical perspective.

Scripture: Proverbs 8:33

Tags:

Reading Your Bible Relationally

By Lance Witt on Jun 18, 2022

Growing in knowledge is important, but knowledge without relationship is dangerous. That was one of the big issues Jesus had with the Pharisees. They had biblical knowledge but their heart was far from God.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Scripture, Personal Growth, Quiet time, pastoral leadership

What Not To Say When Someone Dies

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 3, 2024

There is a danger turning faith into fairy tale for our own comfort. At the same time it may help us to approach someone with biblical truths after we understand their line of thinking.

Tags: Death, Comfort, Preaching, Funeral, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Tim Keller: Preaching Hell In A Tolerant Age

By Tim Keller on Jun 13, 2025

Many today reject the idea of final judgment and hell. Tim Keller advises pastors on how to deliver the very important biblical message to those who may not want to hear it.

Tags: Hell, Tolerance, Preaching, tim keller, preaching, Tim Keller  (view more)  (view less)

How Much Is Enough? The Only Safe Rule For Giving

By Kent Woodyard on Jan 5, 2024

Working in business development for a church giving platform, I am asked often if there is a Biblical precedent for churches using digital technology to accept tithes and offerings. Any scriptural evidence that text-2-give is acceptable to the Lord? I’ll save you a concordance search: there isn’t.

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Tags: Money, Giving