In Preaching Articles: "Disciplines Prayer"

Pastors: The Ceo Has To Go

By Derek Vreeland on Aug 24, 2023

I feel the impulse to forsake the pastoral vocation of word and sacrament, prayer and disciple-making, in favor of becoming a CEO who gets things done.

Tags: liturgy, Theology, church and business, consumerism

How To Preach A Sermon Again Without Preaching It The Same

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 17, 2024

Repeated sermons should grow richer with time. With prayerful revision, fresh insight, and renewed engagement, a pastor can preach familiar material with greater depth.

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, Church Practices, Pastoral Ministry, Biblical Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach Jesus Using The Psalms

By Jason Hood on Feb 12, 2025

The Psalms reveal Jesus as sufferer, king, shepherd, and conqueror, inviting believers to see both Christ and themselves in the prayers he fulfilled and continues to shape in us.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation

Why Preaching Without The Holy Spirit Isn’t Really Preaching

By Leslie Holmes on Apr 17, 2025

Without the Holy Spirit, preaching becomes little more than religious speech. True proclamation depends on surrender, prayer, and the Spirit’s guiding power.

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:18-19, Acts 2:7-8, 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, John 16:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: preaching, Spiritual Power, Holy Spirit, Preaching, Triune, spiritual power  (view more)  (view less)

Why Great Sermons Also Include Listening

By Ryan Huguley on May 31, 2025

Preaching is not only about the preacher delivering the message but also about the congregation listening well. Scripture calls believers to receive the Word with prayer, humility, and expectation.

Scripture: Luke 16:17, James 1:21-22, Hebrews 4:12, Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Great, BIBLICAL TEACHING, preaching, Biblical Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Speak To A Hardened Heart With Truth And Grace

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jun 11, 2021

Preaching to a hardened heart is one of the hardest tasks in ministry. Scripture shows that prayer, humility, and faithful exposition are the most powerful tools God uses to soften hearts.

Scripture: John 16:8, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Hebrews 4:12, John 17:20, 1 Corinthians 3:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, difficult, audience, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Every New Believer Should Know

By Brian Mavis on Mar 7, 2025

New believers thrive when they learn God’s love, grace, Scripture, prayer, community, and Christ centered living early. These ten lessons safeguard a healthy start.

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, James 4:10, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:16, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation

On The Shoulders Of Giants: Sermon Preparation Resources For Pastors

By Matthew Redder on Sep 10, 2025

In this article, we’ll explore how pastors work with others—both living and long gone—to craft sermon content. We’ll reflect on the value of community, the discipline of study, and the humility that comes when we realize that our sermons are enriched by the wisdom of many.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Commentary, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, preaching, sermonprep, commentary, biblical dictionary, sermoncentral, sermonmaker  (view more)  (view less)

How God Saved My Sermon

By Steve Fuller on Sep 5, 2024

Even careful sermon preparation can fall apart. This reflection shows how prayer, humility, and trust in God’s promises bring clarity when anxiety sets in.

Scripture: James 4:1-2, James 1:5, Psalm 127:1, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Timothy 2:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: preaching, Dependence on God, Preaching, dependence on God

Ten Principles For Pastors Leading Plateaued Churches

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 13, 2022

Many churches plateau, but pastors don’t have to. These ten principles guide leaders toward renewal through prayer, humility, small improvements, and practical, Spirit-led steps.

Tags: Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Apathy, Shepherding, church, Pastoral Leadership, Plateaue, Ministry Health, Fail, Leadership General, pastoral leadership, shepherding, Pastor, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

4 Tips For Understanding Any Passage Of The Bible

By Brandon Smith on Dec 1, 2022

Whatever you do, just read the Bible.

Tags: Study, Prayer, BIBLE STUDY, godly character, Bible Study, Reading God's Word, Christian community, personal holiness, Personal Devotions, bible study  (view more)  (view less)

Spiritual Loitering

By Lance Witt on Mar 29, 2023

Even though Easter was just a few days ago, it is likely that you have quickly moved on to the next “thing”. But I want to challenge you to not move on too quickly. I’m sure there are some stories and God moments from this past weekend that are worth lingering over. As pastors we need to do a better job with the discipline of “spiritual loitering”.

Scripture: Psalm 111:4, Psalm 143:5

Tags: Remember, inner peace, good work

Does Your Soul Have A Backbone?

By Lance Witt on Apr 26, 2021

Over the last few years my single most consistent prayer has been for spiritual courage. Being a coward comes quite naturally to me. I don’t like to fight. I don’t like rejection. I am definitely not a fan of pain. All of these are essential qualities of a coward.

Tags:

Busting Out Of Sermon Block

By Haddon Robinson on May 28, 2020

Weekly preaching can feel creatively exhausting. Learn a two-phase approach, practical rhythms, and daily habits that keep your sermons biblical, fresh, and deeply fed all from Haddon Robinson.

Scripture: Luke 6:39-45, John 16:8-11

Tags: Love, Church, Preaching, Prayer, dedication, preparation, love, sermon preparation, Pastoral Ministry, Expository Preaching, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, expository preaching, prepare, Homiletics, Result, Time, length, Leadership General  (view more)  (view less)

7 Marks Of Great Preaching

By David J. Lose on Feb 4, 2025

Great preaching is more than speaking well—it engages Scripture, proclaims Christ, connects to real life, inspires imagination, and sends God’s people into the world.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Preaching, Prayer, BIBLE STUDY, father's will, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Biblical Preaching, Gospel Proclamation, Effective Communication, gospel proclamation, biblical preaching, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)