In Preaching Articles: "Expository Sermons"

Less Is More: Improve Tomorrow's Sermon By Making It Shorter

By Lane Sebring on Nov 7, 2019

Few public speakers can keep an audience's attention for an hour. Fewer should even try.

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-15, Psalm 107:1-15, Revelation 12:1-10

Tags: Preaching, better, short sermon, audience attention, sermon length  (view more)  (view less)

A Modest Proposal: Less Sermon Prep In Favor Of More Time Making Disciples?

By Bill Couchenour on Sep 6, 2021

Is it possible to reach the U.S. for Jesus in less than a decade by cutting sermon prep time in half?

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-28

Tags: Jesus, Outreach, Preaching, Disciples, sermon prep, Sermon Prep  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Get Nervous Before You Preach?

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Feb 19, 2022

Even skilled, prepared, and experienced preachers get nervous at preaching time. If they do not, they should.

Tags: Preaching, Anxiety, Pray, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 6—engage The Heart (Emotion)

By Charles Stone on Nov 17, 2021

Engage the heart is the sixth instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 11:35, Luke 10:21

Tags: Preaching, pastor, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, neuroscience, preaching, sermonprep  (view more)  (view less)

How To Avoid The Dangers Of Topical Preaching

By Joe Hoagland on Nov 11, 2025

Preaching purists debate the merits--and dangers--of either topical or expository preaching. Both have weak spots.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Using Contextualized Language

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 18, 2024

This article is the third of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, Acts 17:16-34

Tags: Preaching, Context, Speaking, sermon prep, The Apostle Paul, Sermon Prep, preaching, context, speaking, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Communicating With Confidence When People Distrust Pastors

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 20, 2024

This article is the fifth of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, pastor, Holiness, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching, holiness, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

One Major Thing You Can Do To Improve Your Worship Service

By Joe Hoagland on Apr 9, 2022

What if I told you there is one main thing you can improve to make people want to come back time and time again.

Tags: Preaching, illustration, Time of Reflection, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 4—free Up Working Memory (Capacity)

By Charles Stone on May 27, 2024

Free up Working Memory is the fourth installment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Tags: Preaching, memory, sermon, Capacity, Sermon, neuroscience, preaching, sermonprep, capacity  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 8—reinforce Life Application (Transfer)

By Charles Stone on Jan 4, 2024

Reinforce Life Application is the final instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: James 1:22

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, Preacher, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, neuroscience, preaching, preacher, church, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

3 Mistakes Pastors Make With Commentaries

By Peter Mead on May 6, 2025

Commentaries help with study, not sermon writing. Avoid atomized thinking, over-quoting, and needless citations to keep preaching clear and transformative.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 17:11, 1 Timothy 4:13-16

Tags: Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, Commentary, Bible Study, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, bible study, preaching, Sermon prep, commentary  (view more)  (view less)

A Road To Somewhere

By Don Ballard on Jul 25, 2024

How can pastors apply Stephen Covey's principle, 'Begin With the End in Mind', to the area of preaching and teaching the Bible?

Scripture: Romans 10:14-15

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Purpose, goals, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 5—stimulate Long-Term Memory (Durability)

By Charles Stone on Jun 1, 2024

Stimulate Long-Term Memory is the fifth instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 2:49

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, pastor, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, neuroscience, preaching, long term memory, teaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

So You Waited Until The Last Minute To Start Sermon Prep

By Peter Mead on Mar 6, 2023

When I genuinely have had to prepare at the last minute, then I ask God for help and know that He understands.

Tags: Preaching, preparation, Excuses, sermon prep, last minute, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preach What You Practice – Why Rehearsing Is Essential To Great Sermon Delivery

By Lane Sebring on Apr 15, 2022

I want to show you why I believe the often neglected step of rehearsing the sermon is essential to great sermon delivery.

Tags: Preaching, sermon prep, preaching skill, effective preaching, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)