In Preaching Articles: "Difficult Text"

The Most Difficult Texts In The Bible To Preach

By Joe Mckeever on May 21, 2023

The problem, of course, is not with Scripture. The problem is with us.

Scripture: John 2:3-5, Luke 4:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35, Hebrews 6:4-20

Tags: Study, Preaching, prepare, Assistance, difficult text, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach To A Difficult Audience

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jun 10, 2021

Imagine a crowd of people, each one with the rebellious heart of a teenager. How do you break through?

Tags: Preaching, difficult, audience, preaching

The Most Difficult Aspect Of Praying

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 7, 2024

"If we cannot walk by faith and believe by faith–a redundancy, of course–we will stop praying."

Scripture: Psalm 23:3, Luke 18:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tags: Faith, Prayer, God's Will, Confidence, Trust God, God in control, God hears prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Preach Around The Text, Or Do You Preach The Text?

By Dr. Scott M. Gibson on Dec 15, 2024

After listening to sermons all these years, I have concluded preachers either talk before the text or talk around the text but rarely talk about the text.

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-6, Psalm 30:1

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why Preaching On Thanksgiving Is So Difficult

By David J. Lose on Nov 17, 2025

Other than saying, "We ought to be thankful," what is there to say?

Tags: people, Preaching, Thanks, gratitude, Thanksgiving Holiday, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Looking At The "Insignificant” Parts Of The Text

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 24, 2020

Great preachers preach both the unfamiliar as well as the familiar stories.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The Most Difficult Person You Will Ever Lead

By Lance Witt on Sep 25, 2019

Who is the most difficult person you have ever had to lead? Did somebody’s face and name just pop into your mind?

Tags: donald morrow

Do Your Listeners Feel The Text?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Nov 26, 2020

Exegesis is always the foundation for a sermon, but does your preaching reach your listeners' feelings?

Tags: Preaching, audience, Engage, feel, exegesis, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Ranting Does Not Equal Preaching

By Tony Merida on Sep 18, 2024

Tony Merida: "May God raise up a new generation of faithful, responsible expositors of Scripture who keep their finger on the text as they teach and preach."

Tags: Preaching, Text, preaching

Why Is It So Difficult To Lead A Church Through Change?

By Rob Pochek on Jul 9, 2025

Everyone says they want change, so what's the problem?

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 9:3-6, Titus 3:1-5

Tags: Church, leadership, Change, Pastoring, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

Ash Wednesday: 4 Perfect Preaching Texts

By Mons Teig on Feb 21, 2020

Sin sucks the life out of us. The following texts invite us to a spiritual examination and forty days of healing therapy.

Scripture: Mark 8:11-22, Mark 8:31-38

Tags: audience, ash wednesday, ambassador, Jail, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Your Congregation Is Your Second Text

By Mike Glenn on Oct 26, 2020

Pastor Mike Glenn suggests every sermon requires us to exegete our audience as well as the Biblical text. Here's why.

Tags: Preaching, Congregation, role, second text

The Hardest Part Of A Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 22, 2021

The Lord gives His message to those who seek Him, who wait upon Him, who are willing to do His will.

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-15

Tags: Preaching, difficult, hard, preaching

Great, You've Got A Theme, But Do You Have A Sermon?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jun 5, 2023

Do you ALWAYS have to start with a text? Sherman Cox says "no."

Scripture: 1 John 5:3

Tags: Idea, Preaching, Text, preaching

The First Step In Bringing Change To Your Church

By John Holm on Jan 23, 2023

Change is difficult under the best of circumstances. Here's how to soften the blow and prepare your people.

Tags: Leader, Guide, difficult, Change, leader  (view more)  (view less)