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

Preach The Tone Of The Text To Bring The Truth Of The Text

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Jan 9, 2026

A key way to guard from selling-out the truth during in the pulpit is to preach the tone of the text.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Tags: Biblical Preaching, Expository Sermons, Homiletics, preaching tips, Pastoral Ministry, biblical preaching, Preaching Tips  (view more)  (view less)

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

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

Looking At The "Insignificant” Parts Of The Text

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 24, 2020

Familiar passages can still preach with power when you slow down, notice “insignificant” details, and unearth what the text actually emphasizes without forcing novelty.

Scripture: John 3:1-21, John 1:4-5, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Preaching, storytelling, preaching, Storytelling

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)

Do Your Listeners Feel The Text?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Nov 26, 2020

Faithful preaching requires sound exegesis, but powerful sermons also help listeners experience the biblical story. Learn how engaging the senses can deepen your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 8:48, Luke 8:43, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: exegesis, preaching, Exegesis, Preaching, audience, Engage, feel  (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

Faithful preaching requires devotion not only to the biblical text but also to the lived realities of the congregation. The pastor stands between both.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 4:15, John 1:14, Mark 4:26-29  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Congregation, role, second text, Pastoral Ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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

Is There A Word From God? Preaching Messages That Come From Heaven

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 22, 2021

Anyone can assemble a sermon from Scripture, but faithful preaching seeks more than a well-structured outline. Pastors must seek the message God wants delivered to their people.

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-15, Jeremiah 37:17, Jeremiah 23:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 15:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discernment, Preaching, difficult, hard, 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."

Scripture: James 3:1, Hebrews 13:17, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Tags: Preaching, Text, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

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 Balance Exegesis And Application

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 12, 2026

D. A. Carson, Tim Keller, and John Piper discuss the importance of preaching in a way that connects to listeners, draws them into the Word, and brings them back to the present day to live out what they've learned.

Tags: Love, Hope, Preaching, difficult, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)