In Preaching Articles: "Fighting For Joy"

"I Felt My Soul Rejoice”: The Christ-Centered Happiness Of David Brainer

By Randy Alcorn on Nov 11, 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: Missionary, Hope, hope in Christ, eternal perspective, Joy in Suffering, Delight in the Lord, Joy in Christ, enduring suffering  (view more)  (view less)

You Were Made For Christmas

By David Mathis on Dec 22, 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: Emmanuel, Christmas, Advent, treasure, Glory to God, christ child, Christmas Gospel, Joy in Christ, Christmas Joy  (view more)  (view less)

10 Traits Of Joyful Pastors

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 4, 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, Joy, Preaching, preach, preaching, leader  (view more)  (view less)

Joe Mckeever: Why Preachers Are The Way They Are

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 25, 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)

We Need A Theology Of Rest

By Lance Witt on Jul 26, 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 12, 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 5, 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)

A Question Pastors Need To Hear From Jesus

By Lance Witt on Jun 12, 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)

4 Ways Your Church Can Help People Simplify Christmas

By Karl Vaters on Dec 12, 2025

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)

5 Questions That Reveal Your Leadership Strengths

By Charles Stone on Mar 22, 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

We All Need Adversity And Affliction

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 22, 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: Adversity, sanctification, Hardship of Life, Spiritual Maturity, Christian Maturity, joy in trials, spiritual immaturity, fruit of sorrow  (view more)  (view less)

The Lost Art Of Feasting

By David Mathis on Nov 26, 2025

"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)

The Power Of Multisensory Preaching

By Rick Blackwood on Jun 1, 2020

Multisensory preaching engages more of the listener, increases clarity and retention, and can reignite your joy in teaching by making sermons more vivid and memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Church, Communication, Preaching, pastor, wake up, Cohabitation, illustration, Clarity, time is at hand, Homiletics, Awake, Dress Properly, adult children, Communication General, God's dwelling place, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, communication, preaching, church, sermon preparation, Teaching Tools, Pastoral Communication, Creative Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Love To Preach

By Joseph M. Stowell on Nov 24, 2021

Preaching is a strange mix of joy, agony, insecurity, and calling; this article explores why pastors keep returning to the pulpit and how God uses their weakness.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, Palm Sunday, Homiletics, Disciplines General, Pastor, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Soul Have A Backbone?

By Lance Witt on Apr 25, 2021

Over the last few years my single most consistent prayer has been for spiritual courage. Being a coward comes quite naturally to me. I don’t like to fight. I don’t like rejection. I am definitely not a fan of pain. All of these are essential qualities of a coward.

Tags: