In Preaching Articles: "Divided Heart"

Three Probing Questions Every Pastor Should Ask Himself

By Charles Stone on Sep 13, 2023

Take a few moments and ask yourself these questions to see what God reveals about your heart and motives.

Tags: Faithfulness, identity, Identity in Christ, motives

7 Things Pastors Wish Church Members Knew About Their Children

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 9, 2024

Should Pastors' children behave differently than regular kids? Thom Rainer speaks from the heart in this powerful post.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

You Can Love Ministry And Miss Jesus

By Marshall Segal on Dec 19, 2021

What captivates your heart more: what God does through you, or what he has done for you?

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:4-5, Philippians 3:7-8, Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, Luke 10:3, Matthew 10:7-8, Luke 10:17-20, Colossians 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, priorities, loving God, Christian Priorities

Live And Die By The Numbers

By Lance Witt on Apr 10, 2023

But numbers become a problem in the heart of a pastor when they move from being a point of celebration to becoming the driver of our motivation.

Scripture: Acts 2:47

Tags: motivation, Church Growth, success in ministry, intimacy with Christ

Get Alone With God

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 21, 2022

As Jonathan Edwards expresses, and Scripture exemplifies, one aspect of a Christ-enamored heart is a gnawing ache to get alone with him.

Scripture: Mark 1:35, Matthew 4:1, Psalm 63:5-6, Hebrews 10:25, Luke 4:42, Matthew 14:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Solitude, Alone with God, soul care, intimacy with Christ

4 Ways To Keep Your Evangelistic Edge In Preaching

By J. John on Apr 1, 2020

Evangelistic preaching flows from a heart on fire for the lost. Be yourself, be prayerful, be clear, and be practical so the gospel connects and bears fruit.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Isaiah 6:9-10, Matthew 13:13-15, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, evangelism, Evangelism Training

7 Ways To Help Prevent Leadership Loneliness

By Paul Loyless on Apr 21, 2020

Pastoral isolation is real, but preventable. These practical rhythms help pastors resist burnout, build community, and serve without losing heart.

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33, 1 Corinthians 12:14-20, Exodus 20:8-10, Mark 6:31, Galatians 6:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Spiritual Renewal

3 Important Reasons Why You Should Preach On Thanksgiving A Month Early

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 16, 2025

Everyone knows they're supposed to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day, but the heart-attitude won't kick in by magic; it has to be cultivated.

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Tags: gratitude, holiday stress, preaching, Thanksgiving, Preaching, Thankfulness  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Affair-Proof Your Ministry

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 6, 2020

Moral failure devastates families and churches. These seven practical guardrails help leaders protect their hearts, marriages, and ministries from the pull of lust.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Matthew 5:28, 1 Timothy 3:2

Tags: Character

Tips For Preaching To A Hard Audience

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Aug 22, 2024

Preaching to hardened hearts is difficult, but Scripture, humility, communication skill, and dependence on God can break through where human effort cannot.

Scripture: Romans 7:24, John 16:8, John 17:20, 2 Timothy 2:25, Ephesians 4:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: spiritual leadership, Spiritual Leadership

What It Really Means To Preach Grace

By Dr. Richard Ganz on May 2, 2025

Winning arguments is not the same as winning hearts. This reflection reminds preachers that truth without grace can push people further from Christ.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1, John 1:14, Matthew 11:28, 2 Timothy 2:25, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Scripture, Arrogance, Share, unbeliever, evangelism, Unbeliever  (view more)  (view less)

Why Exhortation Alone Doesn’t Change Lives In Preaching

By Bob Hostetler on Jul 21, 2021

Many sermons emphasize exhortation, but lasting transformation requires more. Effective preaching connects with listeners, inspires the heart, and provides practical application.

Scripture: Romans 12:8, James 1:22, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 10:24, Colossians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, identification, inspiration, application, exhortation, preaching, Application  (view more)  (view less)

3 Indispensable Preaching Truths

By Tim Spivey on Feb 20, 2026

Experience teaches pastors that preaching involves far more than crafting a sermon. Faithful preaching shapes hearts, theology, and the direction of the church.

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, Hebrews 4:12, John 6:68, 2 Timothy 4:2, James 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: preaching, sermon preparation, Ministry, Truth, Preaching, effective, Sermon Preparation, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Confident In The Lord, Not In Ourselves

By Peter Mead on Jul 28, 2021

Paul’s confidence in Galatians wasn’t in persuasion or control but in God’s power to change hearts. Faithful ministry depends on the same trust.

Scripture: Galatians 5:10, John 6:44, Ezekiel 36:26, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Philippians 1:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Paul, Faith, Preaching, work, action, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Your Pulpit Can Go Paperless

By Dan Martella on Feb 10, 2023

When Dan Martella stepped out from his pulpit and simply shared the message from his heart, he discovered something powerful.

Scripture: Genesis 3:4

Tags: Simple, cheat sheet, preaching, Preaching