In Preaching Articles: "Defend The Faith"

The Spiritual Discipline Of Anticipation

By Lance Witt on May 25, 2022

Let me ask you, what are you trusting God for? Where are you practicing the spiritual discipline of anticipation?

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Tags: Preaching, anticipation, active faith, Possible with God, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Is The ‘sin Not Leading To Death’ In 1 John 5?

By John Piper on Jul 13, 2024

Check out John Piper's answer to a perplexing question from 1 John.

Scripture: 1 John 1:9, 1 John 5:16-17

Tags: confession, repentance, God's Promises, faith and repentance, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Death And Life: Preaching Through Lent

By Patricia Tull on Mar 2, 2020

"Ultimately, for the faithful, all this talk about death in the lectionary offers liberation."

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Tags: preaching, Death, Preaching, Life, lent  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Pursue Feelings. Pursue Christ.

By Joe Thorn on Jul 12, 2022

One danger is emotionalism, in which we allow our feelings to interpret our circumstances and form our thoughts about God. This is putting feelings before faith. The other danger is a kind of stoicism, where faith is rooted in theology but void of affection. This tendency removes feelings from faith altogether. While it is true that our emotions should not lead our theology, it is vital to our faith that theology lead to a deep experience of our triune God.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Psalm 34:18, Romans 8:15, Psalm 34:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Emotions, Theology, Stoicism, Feelings, Doctrine to Doxology  (view more)  (view less)

When (And Why) To Shake Off The Dust And Move On

By Ben Sternke on Aug 15, 2020

We can too easily normalize fruitlessness in the name of faithfulness. There's a big difference.

Tags: Discipleship, Missions, Church Growth, church planting, Evangelism The Lost  (view more)  (view less)

15 Powerful Quotes For Your 4th Of July Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 1, 2021

From preachers to politicians, nearly everyone has an opinion on the links between liberty and faith.

Scripture: John 1:35-51, Romans 8:1-2

Tags: kathy crawford

We Followed The Steps- Where's The Church Growth

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 21, 2022

There are no guaranteed steps to church growth. Because the church is people. And people don’t come with guarantees.

Tags: Church Growth, pastoral leadership, success in ministry, sexual faithfulness

3 Shifts Growing Churches Make To Welcome The Lost

By Brandon Kelley on Aug 11, 2023

Most churches genuinely want to welcome and reach those who are far from God. Sometimes the reason they don’t is because they get in their own way.

Tags: Genuine Faith, Evangelism The Lost, authentic ministry, relating to the lost

The Radical Experiment: One Year To A Church Turned Upside Down

By David Platt on Jan 14, 2025

David Platt dares pastors and their congregations to take a leap of faith and test the claims contained in the gospel.

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Tags: Faith, Outreach, Gospel, Missions, Prayer, radical, Evangelism Urgency, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Crafting Strong Sermons Requires Polish

By Terry Linhart on Nov 9, 2024

Some sermon checkpoints to buff a nice luster on your work and to ensure you're responsible and faithful in the process.

Tags: Preaching, practice, Organize, revise, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Make Your Preaching More Practical And Relevant

By Rick Ezell on Jan 31, 2025

Use these methods to practically reach people suffering from real hurts, problems, doubts, fears, and anxieties gnawing at their faith.

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34, Romans 10:4

Tags: Preaching, Culture, Self, Relevance, audience, application, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)

How Getting Personal Creates Powerful Preaching Moments

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 24, 2023

Although it may be a difficult challenge, sharing your personal experiences can lead your people to deeper faith in Christ.

Tags: Preaching, Story, storm, preaching

An Illustration On Eternity

By Francis Chan on Oct 14, 2023

Francis Chan shares a powerful sermon illustration about living for God in the short time we have on this earth. Use this illustration in an upcoming message about the importance of living with an eternal focus.

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-15, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 37:18

Tags: Self, Confidence, perspective, Eternity, Love, Sacrifice, Resurrection, challenge, Perspective, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

How To Pastor An Evangelistic Church

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 24, 2021

Pastors, do you know what an"evangelistic church" looks like? Are you even taking the time to share the gospel?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:10, 1 Corinthians 11:1

Tags: Evangelism, leadership, challenge, Sharing Your Faith, Setting an example, evangelism, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Didn’t Wake Up This Morning Depressed By The Size Of Your Church

By Karl Vaters on Apr 18, 2022

Jesus knows what happened and didn’t happen in church last Sunday.

Tags: Depression, Marriage Faithfulness, Church Attendance, God's perspective, e, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)