In Preaching Articles: "Christian Maturity"

A Matter Of Integrity: Why Christians Must Stop Taking The Fake News Bait

By Karl Vaters on Apr 3, 2022

Christians should have the reputation for being the most truthful people on earth. But we don’t.

Scripture: Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20, Deuteronomy 4:20

Tags: priorities, Dishonesty, Truth and Lies, stand for truth, e  (view more)  (view less)

Why We Preach: Gospel Bread For Desperate Hearts

By David J. Lose on Oct 5, 2020

Preaching is not merely instruction or exhortation. It is weekly renewal in the story of God’s love for weary believers who struggle to believe.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Romans 10:17, Matthew 4:4, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Hebrews 10:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, gospel, preaching, Christian worship, Christian Worship  (view more)  (view less)

Learn How To Be Brought Low

By Scott Hubbard on Oct 14, 2022

"You don’t need to be anyone special to know what it means to be brought low."

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:10, Isaiah 53:3, Philippians 1:3-5, Philippians 4:12

Tags: Faith, Humility, Hope, Grief, Sorrow, mature faith, Enduring Hardship, School of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Why Great Preachers Are Not Always Great Leaders

By Adrian Pei on Oct 11, 2020

Confessing weaknesses can impress a crowd, but true leadership maturity requires repentance, accountability, and real change.

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-31, James 1:22, 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 27:6, 2 Corinthians 7:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility, leadership, Preaching, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Faith Often Lives In The Tension

By Jonathan Martin on May 16, 2021

The Bible presents a world filled with complexity, flawed people, and unresolved tensions. Learning to live faithfully within that tension can deepen our understanding of God’s grace.

Scripture: Psalm 103:10-14, Romans 5:8, John 8:10-11, Hebrews 4:15-16, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Jesus Christ, Certain, ambiguity, christian living, grace, Christian Living  (view more)  (view less)

Kevin Deyoung: The Hole In Our Holiness

By Kevin Deyoung on Sep 16, 2021

There's no shortage of effort or energy as we go about our tasks—until it comes to holiness.

Scripture: Isaiah 52:11, Isaiah 52:11-12

Tags: Christianity, Holiness, Effort, energy

Advice For Preaching Funeral Sermons

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Feb 23, 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

11 Ways To Be The Church For People Who Don't Go To Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 7, 2026

People need to know us before they can trust us. And they need to trust us before they’ll go to church with us.

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Apologetics, Discipleship, Preaching, christian living, evangelism, preaching, Christian Living  (view more)  (view less)

Top 10 Tips For Handling Church Critics

By Charles Stone on Aug 8, 2024

Criticism is unavoidable in ministry, but how pastors respond shapes their health and leadership. Here are practical ways to face critics with maturity and grace.

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1, James 1:19-20, Galatians 6:1, Proverbs 27:6, Colossians 3:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry Skills

7 Things Pastors Don't Need To Know

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 2, 2024

Pastors often receive information they never needed. Protecting your ministry means refusing gossip, rumors, and private details that cause harm rather than help.

Tags: Gossip, Church Health, Christian Values

5 Thoughts About Excellence In Ministry

By Brandon Cox on Mar 28, 2025

Excellence honors God, but it must never overshadow the mission. These five principles help ministry leaders pursue quality without drifting from gospel priorities.

Scripture: Colossians 3:17, Ecclesiastes 11:4, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 12:11, Matthew 28:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Excellence, Christian Discipleship, preaching

6 Benefits To Not Changing Churches

By Dean Shriver on Jul 9, 2021

Staying with one congregation models commitment, grows maturity, deepens preaching, builds trust, reveals generational fruit, and prepares pastors for final accountability.

Scripture: Colossians 3:13-14, Colossians 3:13, John 10:11-13, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 13:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry, Church, mistakes, affliction, Leave, ministry, church  (view more)  (view less)

Overcoming Blind Spots In The Pulpit

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 21, 2020

Every preacher gravitates toward familiar themes. Identifying and addressing pulpit blind spots helps congregations grow into spiritual maturity and biblical balance.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Ephesians 4:13-15, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Growth, Pastoral Ministry

A Renewed Mind: The Practice Of Humble Thought

By Robert A. Fryling on Jan 3, 2025

A call to reject mind–spirit false dichotomies, embrace biblical thinking, and pursue a humble, renewed mind that deepens spiritual formation and love for God.

Scripture: Luke 10:27, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Thought, Humility, Preaching, pastor, devotion, original sin, Mind, Christian Disciplines, Christian Leadership, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why "Just Preach The Gospel” Isn’t Enough

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 23, 2026

Preaching the gospel is essential, but not sufficient on its own. Learn why living the gospel and recognizing our interpretive filters are critical for authentic ministry.

Tags: christian living, preaching the gospel, Christian Living, Preaching the Gospel, Ministry Practice, Sermon Advice, Humble Preaching  (view more)  (view less)