In Preaching Articles: "Christ Centered Reading"

Don’t Be Yourself

By Greg Morse on Dec 8, 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)

4 Remedies For Discouragement In Your Preaching

By Erik Raymond on Apr 3, 2025

Pastors often feel ineffective, but Christ’s resurrection guarantees their preaching matters. Lift your eyes, pray, delight in grace, and keep proclaiming Christ.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:23, 1 Corinthians 15:14, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Discouragement, preaching, Trust, Perseverance, Hope, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Questions Before You Preach

By Joel Mayward on Mar 10, 2026

Strong preaching requires intentional focus. These five questions help preachers keep their sermons centered on Jesus, the gospel, the heart, and practical response.

Scripture: John 16:20-23, Ephesians 5:6-14, 1 Corinthians 2:2, James 1:22, Luke 24:27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: points, preaching, Speak, Heart, Preaching, Homiletics  (view more)  (view less)

Advice For Preaching Funeral Sermons

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Feb 24, 2021

Brief. Gospel-centered. Be sensitive to family. There are other important factors to consider when preaching funerals. But these three pieces of advice are a good place to start.

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-14

Tags: Preaching, Funeral, Christian Funeral

When Passion In The Pulpit Goes Too Far

By Peter Mead on Apr 28, 2020

Preaching with zeal is good, but unguarded passion can turn aggressive, shouty, distracting, or draining. Learn how to keep intensity from undermining your message.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:16, Proverbs 15:1, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Colossians 4:6, James 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Discernment, Preaching, passion, Passion of Christ, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The First Step In Being A Great Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 12, 2022

The first step in being a great pastor is to walk with God.

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:11

Tags: pastor, Basics of Christianity, Intimacy With God, intimacy with Christ, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

The Call No One Wants To Get - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Sep 26, 2023

Looking back, I see that obscurity allowed God to redirect my sense of identity and significance.

Tags: obscurity, Relationship to God, intimacy with Christ, Hidden work of God

Preaching And Perspectives

By Peter Mead on May 17, 2022

When we preach, we present a perspective. When we preach, we provoke a perspective.

Tags: Preaching, Perspective, God speaks, preaching Christ, perspective, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Willing To Be Hated For Preaching The Gospel?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 13, 2020

Faithful gospel preaching requires courage. Christians are not called to be hateful, but they must be willing to be hated for Christ’s sake.

Scripture: John 15:18, Mark 13:13, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, Galatians 1:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Persecution, Gospel, Preaching, suffering, Hatred, hatred, gospel, preaching, Suffering  (view more)  (view less)

7 Questions Every Pastor Should Ask Before Preaching

By J.s. Park on Jun 20, 2025

Before stepping into the pulpit, pastors should evaluate their message carefully. These seven questions help ensure sermons are God-centered, gospel-driven, and pastorally loving.

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Isaiah 40:28-31, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Good, questions, BIBLICAL TEACHING, preaching, Biblical Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Jerry Rice And The Art Of Preaching Well

By Derwin Gray on Jun 26, 2024

Insights from Jerry Rice’s passion, self-awareness, and heroic mindset show preachers how to cultivate love, authenticity, and Gospel-centered confidence.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-19

Tags: Ministry Skills, evangelism, gospel, preaching, Pastoral Leadership, Gospel Ministry, Sermon Craft, Preaching, Lost, football, Christian Witness, pastoral leadership, gospel ministry, Evangelism, Witness, Gospel, Sports  (view more)  (view less)

Is There Good News In Your Sermon?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 12, 2020

When preachers struggle to find a sermon celebration, the issue is often focus. Centering on God’s gospel activity reveals good news worth celebrating.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10, Mark 6:1-13, Romans 8:1-11, Ephesians 2:4-10, 2 Corinthians 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Good News, Homiletics, preaching

Why We Avoid Political Preaching

By Daniel Darling on Mar 20, 2024

During election seasons, pressure mounts for pastors to speak politically. Here’s why Bible-believing shepherds center the pulpit on Scripture, not party platforms.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Psalm 139:13-16, Micah 6:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Politics, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

3 Spiritual Lessons From Jonathan Edwards

By Kyle Strobel on Jun 7, 2025

Jonathan Edwards teaches that spiritual practices are not about technique but about knowing God. True Christian disciplines must be God-centered, relational, and filled with affection.

Scripture: John 15:5, Mark 9:24, Psalm 27:4, Jeremiah 9:23-24

Tags: Jonathan Edwards, Spiritual, spiritual, Preaching, practice, jonathan edwards, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why The Cross Is Not Enough

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 24, 2021

Christian faith cannot stop at the cross alone. The full pattern of Christ’s work includes incarnation, sacrifice, and resurrection power.

Scripture: John 1:14, John 10:18, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Philippians 2:5-8, Romans 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Cross, Enough, Powerful, preaching  (view more)  (view less)