In Preaching Articles: "Difficult People"

When People Compare Pastors

By Charles Stone on Mar 26, 2021

Many pastors secretly struggle with measuring up to very successful pastors and churches. It’s tough, but it comes with ministry. People compare pastors. In this post I suggest a few ways to deal with this “measure up mentality.” I begin with one pastor’s experience.

Scripture: Psalm 62:5

Tags: Discouragement, Approval, Comparison, High expectations

Seven Deadly Sins In The Pulpit

By Steve Murrell on Aug 20, 2020

"Unlike many modern preachers, Paul refused to edit out the difficult parts of the message. He insisted on preaching the whole gospel."

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:6-8

Tags: Preaching, bible truth, difficult passages, Bible Truth

You Exegete Your Text, But Do You Exegete Your People?

By Leslie Holmes on Sep 2, 2025

"Bob Easley may not have gone beyond sixth grade, but he taught this quasi-educated preacher that there's a lot more to be learned about preaching than I ever got inside a book."

Scripture: Job 1:1-10

Tags: people, Preaching, Text, exegete, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach To Old(Er) People

By Rachel Wrenn on Oct 23, 2025

"Mildred" loves the Lord, shows up early for service--and falls asleep nearly every week. What to do?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

When People Criticize Your Preaching

By Lance Witt on Jan 8, 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

Tags:

How Getting Personal Creates Powerful Preaching Moments

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 23, 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

Doctrine Is Not Enough: Does Your Preaching Connect With People?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 20, 2023

Doctrinal sermons are fine, but do they connect to human experience?

Tags: connection, homiletical, preaching, people, Preaching, Doctrine  (view more)  (view less)

Reluctant Leadership Is Better Than Nothing

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 17, 2021

You ask the question and–this is critical–you remain standing. You are not just expressing a point of view, you are asking for answers. And you are doing so in such a sweet manner, no one can accuse you of trying to stir up anything.

Scripture: Romans 9:1-20

Tags: responsibility, Preaching, hurting people, servant leadership

Does Your Soul Have A Backbone?

By Lance Witt on Aug 6, 2023

Over the last few years my single most consistent prayer has been for spiritual courage.

Tags: suffering, Courage, People pleasing, intimacy with Christ

It's A Wonderful Time To Be A Christian

By Garrett Kell on Apr 19, 2022

Christians are uniquely equipped to thrive in tumultuous times, not because we are great, but because our God is.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:14, 1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 7:12, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Corinthians 5:16-20, Ephesians 4:1-3, John 17:20-21, John 15:20, Luke 12:40, Mark 14:38, Romans 13:11, Matthew 24:14, Psalm 73:2-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Reconciliation, authentic Christian, Purified, unreached peoples

When The Message Ends, Where Are People Focused?

By Peter Mead on Jul 27, 2025

Where are people looking as they leave? If we're not careful, they will walk out with gaze firmly fixed on self.

Tags: Message, Preaching, Self, focus, listener, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preacher: Tell Your People What They Are!

By Lane Sebring on May 14, 2025

Great leaders set high expectations and truly believe their church is capable of meeting them.

Scripture: Romans 8:28-31

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Seven Key Reasons People Choose A Church

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 9, 2022

Why did you choose to come to this church?

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47

Tags: Church, Children, Volunteerism, good sermon, church  (view more)  (view less)

Communicating With Confidence When People Distrust Pastors

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 19, 2024

This article is the fifth of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Tags: preaching, teaching, holiness, Sermon prep, Preaching, pastor, Holiness, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preach The Surprising Connection Between Christmas And Repentance

By David J. Lose on Nov 30, 2020

Instead of demanding repentance, what if you invited people into it?

Scripture: John 3:1-3, Matthew 3:1-2

Tags: Advent, Preaching, repentance, Inviting People, Repentance, preaching  (view more)  (view less)