In Preaching Articles: "Fighting For Joy"

Preacher: Don't Forget The Benediction

By Ray Hollenbach on May 8, 2025

There's a rich vein of life even in the verses that close each Epistle. Have you ever preached a benediction?

Scripture: Jude 1:24-25, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:1-3, Ruth 4:1-15, 1 Corinthians 15:58  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, benediction, benefit, preaching, Joy  (view more)  (view less)

How Can We Give Thanks In All Circumstances?

By Jon Bloom on Nov 3, 2022

"There is only one way. And Jesus both is the way (John 14:6) and shows the way."

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Grace, Thanksgiving, Joy, Hope, Christian Joy, Thanksgiving Holiday, giving thanks, in all things, grace  (view more)  (view less)

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

You Were Made For Christmas

By David Mathis on Dec 23, 2024

You were made for the Great Joy of Christmas.

Scripture: Luke 2:18, Matthew 1:21, 1 Peter 3:18, Luke 2:14

Tags: Christmas Joy, Advent, treasure, Glory to God, christ child, Christmas Gospel, Joy in Christ, Emmanuel, Christmas  (view more)  (view less)

10 Traits Of Joyful Pastors

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 5, 2025

Follow the example of these leaders. You'll find joy in the midst of the hard work and long hours of pastoral ministry.

Tags: leader, Leader, Joy, Preaching, preach, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Joe Mckeever: Why Preachers Are The Way They Are

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 26, 2021

This Q & A answers, "Why are all preachers nuts?" and other things people want to know.

Tags: Joy, Preaching, Funeral, Preacher, Weeping, preaching, preacher  (view more)  (view less)

A Question Pastors Need To Hear From Jesus

By Lance Witt on Jun 13, 2022

Ultimately, if God is not working in you, the joy of his work through you will be short-lived.

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Tags: leadership, pastoral leadership, soul care, receiving, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

We Need A Theology Of Rest

By Lance Witt on Jul 27, 2023

You don’t have to be running at an insane pace to be running on empty. I think the primary issue here isn’t the size of your ministry or the pace of your ministry. The PRIMARY issue has to do with the health of your soul (your interior life).

Scripture: Proverbs 14:8, Exodus 33:14-15, Jeremiah 6:16

Tags: Wisdom, Rest, endurance with joy, spiritual leadership, entering God's rest  (view more)  (view less)

"Get To" Vs. "Have To"

By Lance Witt on Apr 13, 2022

I am not exempt from the needs of my humanity simply because I am a pastor or ministry leader.

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: pastor, endurance with joy, rest in Jesus, fixing eyes on Jesus, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

The Top 3 Inner Battles Of A Leader

By Dan Reiland on Aug 6, 2022

Leaders who are fully engaged in their mission fight battles. There is no way to avoid battles if you want to make progress consistently. New territory is never easy, and it always comes at a price. Life never grants a free ride, and leaders don’t receive a “get out of jail free” card when it comes to solving serious problems. The good news is that we don’t fight alone.

Tags: leadership, Discouragement, DIVIDED HEART, Distraction, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Questions That Reveal Your Leadership Strengths

By Charles Stone on Mar 23, 2023

When we discover, develop, and deploy our strengths and gifts, we maximize our Kingdom impact and experience the greatest joy.

Scripture: John 19:28-29

Tags: Preaching, preaching

4 Ways Your Church Can Help People Simplify Christmas

By Karl Vaters on Dec 26, 2018

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but Christmas is also the busiest.

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Holidays, Giving, teach, simplify, Christmas Joy, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Lost Art Of Feasting

By David Mathis on Nov 4, 2022

"Most of us have never given any serious thought to what it might mean to feast with Christ-honoring intentionality."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Timothy 4:4-5, Luke 14:13, Romans 14:5-6

Tags: Thanksgiving, Fellowship, Community, feast, Christian Joy, give thanks, thank god, Thanksgiving Holiday, community, fellowship  (view more)  (view less)

We All Need Adversity And Affliction

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 23, 2022

I would not exchange any of my discipline-afflictions for anything. In fact, I have made it a habit to keep asking God to discipline me. This isn’t because I love affliction, but because the hope in God I’ve tasted in the promises of God I’ve trusted in the darkest days are the sweetest things my soul has ever known.

Scripture: Psalm 119:71-72, Hebrews 12:11

Tags: Spiritual Maturity, Christian Maturity, joy in trials, spiritual immaturity, fruit of sorrow, Adversity, sanctification, Hardship of Life  (view more)  (view less)

How To Resolve Most Relational Conflict

By Jon Bloom on Nov 5, 2022

"Few things sap more of our joy, are as emotionally demanding and mentally distracting, as relational conflict. And few things wreak as much havoc and destruction on lives as relational conflict. And so much of it is avoidable."

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-36, James 4:1, Matthew 18:21-35, 1 Peter 5:6, Philippians 2:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility and Pride, Humility, conflict, resolving conflict, Love Others, Dealing with Conflicts, selfish ambition, Peace  (view more)  (view less)