In Preaching Articles: "Dying To Self"

Preaching: It's Not All About You

By Bruce D. Johnson on Oct 14, 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: Preaching, pastor, Self, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 19, 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, Security, passion, godly character, productivity, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, church leadership, leader  (view more)  (view less)

When The Message Ends, Where Are People Focused?

By Peter Mead on Jul 28, 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)

Everyone's Least Favorite Preacher- The Cocky Kind

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 19, 2023

You’re sitting in his church listening to him preach. He’s not five minutes into the message before you realize Mr. Hotshot is appearing before you in the flesh. His words and mannerisms give him away.

Scripture: Isaiah 57:15, Micah 6:8, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 Peter 5:3, Isaiah 6:5, Matthew 18:3, 1 Peter 5:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility, Pride, Preacher, self importance, preacher  (view more)  (view less)

10 Pointers For Preaching On A Touchy Issue

By Peter Mead on Apr 12, 2021

Sometimes we have to preach something that is potentially controversial or that may not go down too well. Here are ten pointers to help when that is necessary.

Scripture: Acts 17:22-32

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Prayer, Self knowledge, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You Are Not The Story!

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 3, 2022

People should not leave the sermon having learned more about the preacher than Christ. When we stand to preach the word, we should prayerfully whisper to ourselves, “You are not the story.”

Scripture: Colossians 1:28, John 12:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:1-2

Tags: Pride, God's Story, self importance, Bible as a story

5 Ways To Make Your Preaching More Practical And Relevant

By Rick Ezell on Jan 31, 2025

Practical preaching requires more than exegesis of Scripture. These five steps help you exegete your people—making sermons clearer, warmer, and more genuinely relevant.

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34, Romans 10:4

Tags: Preaching, Culture, Self, Relevance, audience, application, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)

The Essential Me-First Of Biblical Preaching

By Ken Burge on May 9, 2025

Biblical preaching demands personal application before public proclamation. The preacher must first live the message before declaring it.

Scripture: Ezra 7:10, James 2:18, 1 Corinthians 4:16, Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

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

Do You Think You're The Exception? Diagnosing Selfish Pride

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 19, 2022

At the root of many of our sins is an assumption that we are exceptional.

Scripture: Romans 8:21, Matthew 22:39, Romans 12:10, Mark 10:43-45, Hebrews 12:1, Matthew 5:28, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Matthew 7:12, James 1:19, Proverbs 15:1, Matthew 5:5, Hebrews 10:25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pride, self awareness, Battling Sin Nature, Overcoming Pride

"I Felt My Soul Rejoice”: The Christ-Centered Happiness Of David Brainer

By Randy Alcorn on Nov 12, 2022

"If a young man without modern medicine and dying of an excruciating disease could make choices that brought him happiness in Christ, surely we can too."

Tags: Missionary, Hope, hope in Christ, eternal perspective, Joy in Suffering, Delight in the Lord, Joy in Christ, enduring suffering  (view more)  (view less)

When The Pastor Feels Unappreciated

By Chris Surber on Apr 26, 2025

Pastors who feel unseen must anchor their identity in Christ, practice wise self-care, and teach their churches about mutual care without sounding self-serving.

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Timothy 5:17, Acts 16:33, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 13:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: encouragement, Encouragement

Why Does Anti-Semitism Still Exist?

By Dr. Susan Michael on Mar 21, 2024

Every time this irrational vitriol seems to be dying out, it reinvents itself with a different look and a different name. But the goal is always the same for anti-semitism: to rid the world of the Jewish people.

Tags: Anti Semitism

10 Questions For Leaders To Ask Each Week

By Chuck Lawless on Jun 15, 2022

Most leaders would benefit from more regular evaluations – particularly self-evaluations. Even daily and weekly self-evaluations merit our consideration if we want to lead well, regardless of our position.

Tags: leadership, Accountability, Helpful Questions, Leadership

How To Survive The Monday Preaching Hangover

By Brian Croft on Jan 6, 2026

Mondays are tough for pastors after preaching. Learn four practical ways to recover from the “preaching hangover” and start your week with clarity and grace.

Tags: Pastoral Self Care, Preaching Recovery, Ministry Burnout, Weekly Rhythms, Encouragement for Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

How To Be An Awesome Guest Preacher

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 18, 2020

Guest preaching is not self-promotion but stewardship. Faithfulness, humility, and respect determine whether you are welcomed again.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2-3, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:6

Tags: guest, Preaching, Courtesy, participate, Expectation, preaching  (view more)  (view less)