In Preaching Articles: "Dying To Self"

True Leadership Is Sacrifice, Not Privilege

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 3, 2022

Christian leadership — in the home, the church, and elsewhere — is not for those clawing for honor and recognition, but for those most ready to fall to their knees and be inconvenienced by the needs of others.

Scripture: Mark 10:45, 2 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Matthew 20:25-28, John 13:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Dying To Self, pastoral leadership, servant leadership, Others First, Leadership, Sacrifice, leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Six Stages Of A Dying Church

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 21, 2022

It’s not a pleasant topic. But if we don’t talk about dying churches, we will act like there are no problems.

Tags: e, Leadership, church attendance, Pastoral Ministry, Dying Church, church ministry, revitalization, Correcting Mistakes, Facing Problems, leadership, Church Attendance  (view more)  (view less)

Prisoners Of Self: Incessant Autobiography In The Smartphone Age

By Tony Reinke on Jul 20, 2022

The man doting over a smartphone screen, scrolling through media with his fingertips, is like a gorilla meticulously picking out little bugs from his own hair. That was the subversive quip of anthropologist Thomas de Zengotita.

Scripture: Isaiah 14:12-13, Job 1:7, Job 2:2, Luke 10:18, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: social media, Cell Phone, Self Centeredness, Vanity, Technology, Appearance, Selfishness  (view more)  (view less)

7 Subtle Signs Your Church Is Dying

By Carey Nieuwhof on Feb 17, 2021

As with almost everything in life, there are subtle signs your peak may be near or you may be cresting past it. Other times, the signs of death are evident to everyone but the leaders. If you recognize the signs early enough, you can reverse the trend.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Church Health, Leadership

The Three Most Common Sentences Of Dying Churches

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 30, 2022

If churches could speak, what would their words be on their deathbeds?

Tags: God's Power, pastoral care, stagnant, Dying Church

Preaching Real Gospel Change In A World Obsessed With Self-Improvement

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 6, 2025

True transformation is not moral effort but new life in Christ. Preachers must translate “change” into gospel terms, clarifying how God recreates, reshapes, and renews His people.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Change, Transformation, counsel, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

How Does A Sermon Differ From A Self-Help Video?

By Peter Mead on May 15, 2023

When you finish preaching, where is your listeners' final focus? The answer makes all the difference.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

Tags: Preaching, Self, focus, preaching

6 Statements That Can Kill A Church

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 30, 2022

These are statements from church members whose churches have already closed their doors.

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21

Tags: Money, Power, Unhealthy, Dying Church

The Five Kinds Of Churches That Must Change Or Die

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 14, 2023

Okay, I have some tough news for you who are members or leaders of about 100,000 churches in America. Change or die.

Tags: Change, Church Growth, Reality, Dying Church

The Growing Church Series: 10 Characteristics Of Churches That Grow

By Brandon Kelley on Feb 4, 2022

Instead of sitting and worrying about the state of the Church in America, let’s begin asking the question, what are growing churches doing differently?

Tags: Church Growth, intentional, proactive, Dying Church

Urgent Church: Nine Changes We Must Make Or Die

By SermonCentral .com on May 13, 2022

Many of our congregations must change. They must change or they will die.

Tags: Prayer, Change, Dying Church, gospel, Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

12 Things I’d Tell My 25-Year-Old Self (About Life And Leadership)

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 18, 2024

There are so many things I would do the same, but there are more than a few things I’d do differently.

Tags: leader, passion, godly character, productivity, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, church leadership, Leader, Security  (view more)  (view less)

The Essential Me-First Of Biblical Preaching

By Ken Burge on May 8, 2025

Are you afraid to use yourself as the example for your sermon?

Tags: Preaching, Self, example, application, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching: It's Not All About You

By Bruce D. Johnson on Oct 13, 2024

Over the past five decades, an insidious trend has crept into American preaching--and not only are most pastors unaware of it, they've embraced it!

Tags: Pastor, preaching, Preaching, pastor, Self  (view more)  (view less)

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)