In Preaching Articles: "Feel"

You Don't Feel Like Preaching? You're Not Alone

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Nov 13, 2021

"Just like Habakkuk wrote on and just like Andre sang on, I would encourage you to PREACH ON."

Tags: pain, Habakkuk, Preaching, Feelings, ignore, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Pursue Feelings. Pursue Christ.

By Joe Thorn on Jul 12, 2022

One danger is emotionalism, in which we allow our feelings to interpret our circumstances and form our thoughts about God. This is putting feelings before faith. The other danger is a kind of stoicism, where faith is rooted in theology but void of affection. This tendency removes feelings from faith altogether. While it is true that our emotions should not lead our theology, it is vital to our faith that theology lead to a deep experience of our triune God.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Psalm 34:18, Romans 8:15, Psalm 34:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Emotions, Theology, Stoicism, Feelings, Doctrine to Doxology  (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

Do Your Listeners Feel The Text?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Nov 27, 2020

Faithful preaching requires sound exegesis, but powerful sermons also help listeners experience the biblical story. Learn how engaging the senses can deepen your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 8:48, Luke 8:43, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, audience, Engage, feel, exegesis, preaching, Exegesis  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preaching Grace Feels Dangerous

By Peter Mead on Jun 27, 2020

Many pastors affirm grace while quietly qualifying it. This piece challenges preachers to proclaim God’s grace in its full, radical purity without diluting it with human safeguards or legal add-ons.

Scripture: Galatians 2:21, Galatians 5:1, Romans 6:1-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 2:11-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: law and Gospel, Law And Gospel

When You Feel Hopeless As A Leader

By Josh Reich on Jun 14, 2023

At some point as a leader, you will feel hopeless. As a pastor it will more than likely happen after the weekend. It is hard to keep hope alive all the time as a leader.

Tags: Preaching, leaders, preaching

When I Don't Feel Successful

By Rev J.r. Vassar on Mar 21, 2022

From small mistakes to colossal meltdowns, we are all too familiar with the pain and shame of failure.

Scripture: Galatians 2:16, Philippians 3:8

Tags: failure, idolatry, Success In Life, success in ministry

Preach So They Feel It: Beyond Information Transfer

By Peter Mead on Oct 8, 2020

Great preaching is not about cramming in more content but about helping people feel the truth of Scripture. Here’s how to move from dense information to transformative proclamation.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Luke 24:32, Hebrews 4:12, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Psalm 23:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Message, develop, Pastoral Ministry

You Are Up To The Task Whether You Feel Like It Or Not

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 18, 2022

Deep in the heart of every man I’ve ever met lurks a daunting question that casts a shadow over every major challenge we ever face: Am I up to this?

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14, Philippians 1:6

Tags: leadership, Courage, Overwhelmed, confidence in God, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Does Our Culture Make Kids Feel Ashamed Of Their Faith?

By Focus On The Family on Sep 9, 2022

As Christians, we all know how important it is to equip kids with a sense of joy in reading God’s Word and the confidence to freely express their faith in Jesus. But that goal is becoming more difficult in today’s culture.

Tags: Apologetics The Bible, Training children, Children's Faith

Sometimes I Feel Like Giving Up, But I Know Better

By Brandon Cox on Apr 27, 2024

Sometimes, I feel that I’m spinning my wheels and not getting anywhere, and that I’m failing to meet the expectations of others.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12

Tags: Holy Spirit, Discouragement, confidence in God, giving up

A Good Sermon Feels Like A Good Story: 7 Minutes With Fred Craddock

By Fred Craddock on Jan 16, 2026

Fred Craddock literally wrote the book on preaching. He reminds us, "Movement is more important than structure."

Tags: Preaching, structure, Movement, Fred Craddock, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Can I Possibly Do Sermon Prep When I'm Just Not Feeling It?

By Chris Surber on Aug 25, 2025

God feels far away. Everybody at home is mad at you. Even the dog won’t talk to you. What do you do when you need to do sermon prep but you just aren’t feeling it?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:11-15

Tags: Preaching, sermon prep, venue, immerse yourself, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Joni Eareckson Tada’s Advice For When You Don’t Wake Up Feeling Happy

By Randy Alcorn on Aug 30, 2022

It’s true that we can’t make ourselves happy in God any more than a seed can make itself grow. But we’re not just seeds. We’re greenhouse farmers who can make sure the seed is planted, watered, and fertilized.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 3:6

Tags: Perseverance, happiness, Joy, Hope, Depression, Sorrow, Melancholy, Fighting for Joy, Up lift  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Get People To Pay Attention To Your Sermons

By Charles Stone on Feb 16, 2022

One of the most disconcerting feelings we pastors experience is when we prepare a sermon and pour our heart into it, yet feel that it didn’t make a difference in people’s lives.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Relevance, sermons, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)