In Preaching Articles: "Biblical Literacy"

Preach To The Ignorant, The Doubtful, And Sinners

By Mark Dever on Sep 4, 2024

Biblical application is not optional in expository preaching. Faithful sermons address ignorance, doubt, and sin by informing, urging belief, and calling for obedience.

Scripture: Romans 10:11-17, Proverbs 23:12, Galatians 4:19, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Teaching Scripture, preaching

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

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)

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: religious objections, thorough, cultural perspective, preaching, Hot Topics, 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

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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)

Preaching Hell In A Tolerant Age

By Tim Keller on Dec 10, 2022

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.

Scripture: Revelation 20:15, Genesis 3:4-5

Tags: Hell, Tolerance, Satan, Preaching, universalism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Tim Keller: Preaching Hell In A Tolerant Age

By Tim Keller on Nov 27, 2018

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.

Scripture: Acts 20:27-28

Tags:

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

A Novel Idea For Preaching Christmas

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Dec 1, 2018

We assume our congregations know the biblical story and doctrinal meaning of Christmas. So we avoid major texts and look for something new or novel to say about the old, old story.

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12-15

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, Birth of Jesus, storytelling

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