In Preaching Articles: "Christian Joy"

God’s Work In Your Depression

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 5, 2022

“Is this depression? I have almost no motivation for anything. I have been praying and I will keep praying for God to be my strength but how do you fight when you don’t feel like fighting?"

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2-3, Psalm 139:11-12

Tags: Emotions, Healing, endurance, Depression, Struggles, soul care, Fighting for Joy, Help for the Hurting  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ways Your Church Can Help People Simplify Christmas

By Karl Vaters on Dec 13, 2025

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but Christmas is also the busiest.

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Holidays, Giving, teach, simplify, Christmas Joy, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Filters For A Funeral Sermon

By Chris Surber on Feb 7, 2022

I’ve preached a lot of funerals. Along the way I’ve learned some lessons from others and I’ve learned some lessons the hard way.

Tags: Preaching, Funerals Christian, preaching Christ, Funerals, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Things Church Leaders Need To Know About Small Churches

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 15, 2022

Ninety percent of the churches on earth are under 200 people. Eighty percent are under 100. There may be no segment of the church that is more normative. But they may also be the most misunderstood.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:25

Tags: christian unity, Church Unity, Megachurch, Small Church

5 Questions That Reveal Your Leadership Strengths

By Charles Stone on Mar 23, 2023

When we discover, develop, and deploy our strengths and gifts, we maximize our Kingdom impact and experience the greatest joy.

Scripture: John 19:28-29

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The One Time Jesus Prayed For You (Part 2)

By Lance Witt on Apr 4, 2024

“What does true “unity” look like practically? If Jesus’ prayer was answered, what would be the evidence?”

Scripture: Romans 12:10, Acts 4:32-35

Tags: Generosity, christian unity, Church Unity, local church purpose

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)

3 Ways To Defeat Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Dec 11, 2023

Discouragement comes with the territory for ministry leaders. Unmet goals, putting out fires, staff issues, displeasing people, and general tiredness all contribute to discouragement. When it weighs us down, how can we dig out? The life of the prophet Elijah gives us hope.

Tags: Perseverance, leadership, Discouragement, Depression, Elijah's faith, Pastoral Ministry, Elijah's Depression, Fighting for Joy, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of Multisensory Preaching

By Rick Blackwood on Jun 2, 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)

Why I Love To Preach

By Joseph M. Stowell on Nov 25, 2021

Preaching is a strange mix of joy, agony, insecurity, and calling; this article explores why pastors keep returning to the pulpit and how God uses their weakness.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, Palm Sunday, Homiletics, Disciplines General, Pastor, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Why Strategic Guest Speakers Can Spark Evangelism And Church Growth

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 9, 2023

High-profile guests can motivate invitations, attract visitors, reengage lapsed members, and strengthen systems when used wisely and sparingly.

Scripture: John 4:29, Luke 14:23, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Acts 13:44, Matthew 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Christianity, Church Growth, Guest speaker, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Real Gospel Change In A World Obsessed With Self-Improvement

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 7, 2025

True transformation is not moral effort but new life in Christ. Preachers must translate “change” into gospel terms, clarifying how God recreates, reshapes, and renews His people.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Change, Transformation, counsel, Christian growth, new life in Christ, Spiritual Transformation, preaching, church, Christian Growth, New Life In Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Re-Imagining Leadership

By Dan White Jr. on Oct 3, 2024

What does it really mean to grow in Christian leadership?

Tags: leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership

Can We Preach The Tithe?

By Dean Shriver on Apr 2, 2025

Scripture presents covenantal, legalistic, and worshipful tithing. Only worshipful giving reflects New Covenant generosity rooted in gratitude, allegiance, and grace.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7-13

Tags: Worship, Giving, Stewardship, Tithe, Preaching, Generosity, Tithes, Christian Giving, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 2025

Healthy churches face problems with wisdom, unity, and Christlike leadership. These ten traits show how congregations grow stronger even through crises.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept, Christian community, church leadership, Biblical wisdom, Church Leadership, Biblical Wisdom, Congregational Health, Christian Community  (view more)  (view less)