In Preaching Articles: "Faith"

3 Shifts Growing Churches Make To Welcome The Lost

By Brandon Kelley on Aug 11, 2023

Most churches genuinely want to welcome and reach those who are far from God. Sometimes the reason they don’t is because they get in their own way.

Tags: Genuine Faith, Evangelism The Lost, authentic ministry, relating to the lost

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, sermon preparation, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Ranting Does Not Equal Preaching

By Tony Merida on Sep 19, 2024

Tony Merida: "May God raise up a new generation of faithful, responsible expositors of Scripture who keep their finger on the text as they teach and preach."

Tags: Preaching, Text, preaching

Does Preaching Still Work?

By Kenton C. Anderson on Oct 7, 2020

Kenton Anderson wonders, "Perhaps preachers have lost faith in preaching because they've been offering too much poor preaching."

Tags: Preaching

The Research Is In--This Is The #1 Reason Students Leave The Church

By Dr. Kara Powell on Oct 30, 2025

Research shows that 40-50% of high school graduates leave their faith in college. Youth expert Kara Powell offers ideas on reversing the trend.

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Not Every Exhortation Is Necessary

By Peter Mead on May 9, 2024

It is important to discern when an exhortation needs to be given, and when the listener is already aware of their need for growth and working hard by faith to become more like Christ.

Tags: teaching, exhortation, Preaching Help, effective preaching, Effective Teaching, Know your audience, preaching, Teaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Marks Of Great Preaching

By David J. Lose on Feb 4, 2025

When a sermon includes the following seven central elements, and when the Holy Spirit is present, something happens—the Word comes alive and people come to faith.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, father's will, Bible Study, Prayer General, bible study, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Not To Say When Someone Dies

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 3, 2024

There is a danger turning faith into fairy tale for our own comfort. At the same time it may help us to approach someone with biblical truths after we understand their line of thinking.

Tags: Death, Comfort, Preaching, Funeral, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is The Body Of Christ In Trouble?

By Barry O. Johnson on Sep 12, 2024

Barry Johnson offers some helpful insights into the state of the Church in America, and offers a loving call for pastors to take bold steps of faith wherever God has planted them.

Tags: Body of Christ, gospel, preaching, Gospel, Truth, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

An Illustration On Eternity

By Francis Chan on Oct 14, 2023

Francis Chan shares a powerful sermon illustration about living for God in the short time we have on this earth. Use this illustration in an upcoming message about the importance of living with an eternal focus.

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-15, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 37:18

Tags: Self, Confidence, perspective, Eternity, Love, Sacrifice, Resurrection, challenge, Perspective, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

How To Pastor An Evangelistic Church

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 24, 2021

Pastors, do you know what an"evangelistic church" looks like? Are you even taking the time to share the gospel?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:10, 1 Corinthians 11:1

Tags: Evangelism, leadership, challenge, Sharing Your Faith, Setting an example, evangelism, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Didn’t Wake Up This Morning Depressed By The Size Of Your Church

By Karl Vaters on Apr 18, 2022

Jesus knows what happened and didn’t happen in church last Sunday.

Tags: Depression, Marriage Faithfulness, Church Attendance, God's perspective, e, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

No One Follows Their Heart

By Jon Bloom on Oct 8, 2022

"No one actually follows their heart. I know that sounds odd, given the prevalence of our cultural creed to "follow your heart." But if we think carefully about what the "heart" really is and how it functions, we will see that this creed doesn’t make sense, and why it ends up confusing and misleading people."

Scripture: Matthew 13:44, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:21, Ephesians 1:18, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 22:37-39, Psalm 97:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sin, Deceitful, Walking by Faith, fixing eyes on Jesus, Follow Your Heart  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching The Place Of The Church In God's Plan

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 24, 2020

When God graciously saves us, he also has a plan to plant and nurture us. The Father isn't in favor of theoretical family; he creates actual families of faith.

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How To Make Easter Stand Out

By Peter Mead on Apr 11, 2020

Easter is the real ground zero of the Christian faith. We tend to, or should, return to it week after week. So what do we do when Easter comes around?

Scripture: John 15:1-10

Tags: Crucifixion, Preaching, ground zero, preaching, Jesus, Easter  (view more)  (view less)