In Preaching Articles: "Expository Sermons"

The Most Common Preaching Mistake: No Hook

By Bruce D. Johnson on Aug 26, 2023

Many sermons lose listeners in the first few minutes. Effective preaching begins by connecting the message to the real struggles and questions of the congregation.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Matthew 13:34, Colossians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 9:22

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, Homiletics, interest, hook, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Faithful Preaching Keeps Bibles Open

By Peter Mead on May 27, 2025

Effective biblical preaching keeps listeners engaged with the text, helping them follow Scripture during the sermon and return to it throughout the week.

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-22, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Faith, Preaching, average, interest, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Facing These Questions Can Improve Any Preacher

By Charles Stone on Jun 7, 2021

The time we invest in sermons and the time people invest in listening to them should make us pause to evaluate our efforts.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-20

Tags: Preaching, invest, Improve, questions, biblical preaching, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Bethlehem This Day Resembles Heaven

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 20, 2023

One the earliest--and one of the best--Christmas sermons ever preached. You're invited to John Chrysostom's place for Christmas!

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5 Personal Changes To Empower Your Preaching

By Rick Ezell on Feb 11, 2025

Preachers shape their sermons through personal integrity, clear priorities, grounded planning, spiritual investment, and prayerful dependence on God’s power.

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Tags: leadership, Personal Change, Leadership

Preaching Without Notes: Four Must-Have Skills

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 13, 2021

Preaching without notes requires discipline, clarity, and structure. Without a clear gospel claim, sermons drift and leave listeners with nothing to remember.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:8-9, Habakkuk 2:2, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Communication, preparation, communication

Preaching That Raises The Water Level

By Ray Hollenbach on Apr 30, 2025

Faithful preaching often works slowly. One sermon at a time, pastors nourish long-term growth that shapes congregations over the years.

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:14, Acts 20:27, Hebrews 5:12-14, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, Church Leadership

Preach The Person, Not Just The Principles

By Peter Mead on Apr 23, 2025

Too many sermons teach responsibility without revealing Christ. Faithful preaching must center on the living Person, not merely biblical advice.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:2, John 12:32, Colossians 1:27-28, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Philippians 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

Preaching Thanksgiving Without Guilt

By David J. Lose on Nov 18, 2025

Thanksgiving sermons often default to moral commands about gratitude. Luke 17 offers a better approach: teach people to notice grace.

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 103:2, Colossians 3:15-17, Hebrews 6:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: people, Preaching, Thanks, gratitude, Thanksgiving Holiday, preaching, Gratitude  (view more)  (view less)

5 Questions Before You Preach

By Joel Mayward on Mar 10, 2026

Strong preaching requires intentional focus. These five questions help preachers keep their sermons centered on Jesus, the gospel, the heart, and practical response.

Scripture: John 16:20-23, Ephesians 5:6-14, 1 Corinthians 2:2, James 1:22, Luke 24:27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Speak, Heart, Preaching, Homiletics, points, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Boring Preaching Is Dangerous

By Peter Mead on May 26, 2025

Preaching should never make the truth of God dull. When sermons become boring, the problem is rarely the Bible but how the message is presented.

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:29, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 20:27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, boring, excess, Pastoral Ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Exhortation Alone Doesn’t Change Lives In Preaching

By Bob Hostetler on Jul 22, 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)

Jerry Rice And The Art Of Preaching Well

By Derwin Gray on Jun 26, 2024

Insights from Jerry Rice’s passion, self-awareness, and heroic mindset show preachers how to cultivate love, authenticity, and Gospel-centered confidence.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-19

Tags: Evangelism, Witness, Gospel, Sports, Preaching, Lost, football, Christian Witness, pastoral leadership, gospel ministry, evangelism, gospel, preaching, Pastoral Leadership, Gospel Ministry, Sermon Craft, Ministry Skills  (view more)  (view less)

Not A Fan: The Hard Words Sparked A Church-Wide Revival

By Kyle Idleman on Jan 13, 2025

A preacher’s honest reckoning with crowd-pleasing sermons led to a bold call for true discipleship, sparking repentance, revival, and hundreds of unexpected baptisms.

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Love, Baptism, Jesus, Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Preaching, Disciples, revival, Church Growth, follower, preaching, church, love, Gospel call, Revival, Gospel Call  (view more)  (view less)

4 Steps From Good To Great Preaching

By Kenton C. Anderson on Feb 18, 2025

Great preaching consistently emerges when sermons are rooted in Scripture, clearly communicated, centered on Christ, and crafted to help hearers truly encounter God.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-3

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