In Preaching Articles: "First Things First"

The Greatest Gift You Give Your Team- Part 2

By Lance Witt on Jul 15, 2024

Some of the qualities that people will applaud in your life are the very things that will wreck your soul.

Tags: sanctification, Personal Growth, pastoral care, Examine self, Time of Reflection, Guarding your heart, motives, soul care  (view more)  (view less)

9 Ways To Preach A Lousy Sermon

By Ben Reed on Aug 26, 2020

If you want to preach a great sermon, here are nine things you must avoid at all costs.

Tags: Faith, Fear, endurance, Preaching, prosper  (view more)  (view less)

The One Law You Must Be Sure To Include In Your Preaching

By David J. Lose on Jul 2, 2021

When to insist on law and when to suspend it? For whom? Will things fall apart if we get it wrong?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Luke 13:10-16

Tags: Grace, Law, Preaching, Good News, grace  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Go Stale: One Pastor's Keep-It-Fresh Tool Kit

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 17, 2023

"At hundreds of points, I have run out of things to say." What to do next is key.

Scripture: Esther 9:22

Tags: Fresh, Preaching, stale, karl vaters, toolkit, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Build A Healthy Elder Team

By Josh Reich on Apr 25, 2022

If there is one thing pastors know well, it is the pain that can stem from a poorly run elder team.

Tags: Eldership, Elders Church, elders, Elder Qualification

3 Ways Great Leaders Handle Tough Circumstances Differently

By Carey Nieuwhof on Dec 8, 2023

If you want to imitate the great leaders when you face challenging situations, do these three things.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:11, Psalm 62:5, Philippians 3:12

Tags: leadership, success, Obstacles, opposition, pastoral leadership, church leadership, Tough Circumstances, Mindset, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Rightly Dividing The Preaching Load

By Larry Osborne on Mar 19, 2025

Larry Osborne: "Sharing the pulpit has proven to be one of the best things that ever happened to our church and to me."

Tags: Preaching, Share, preaching

How To Find New Sources For Sermon Illustrations

By Erik Raymond on Jun 17, 2021

Are you constantly mining the same sources for your sermon illustrations? Here are five suggestions to keep things fresh.

Tags: Read, biography, newspaper, Classic

Deal-Breakers: 7 Ways God May Tell A Pastor To Leave A Church

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 18, 2022

Long-term pastorates are almost always good for the church and the pastor. But when these things happen, it's time to go.

Tags: Discernment, Resignation, Knowing God's Will, church ministry

The Incomparable Value Of Expository Preaching

By Bob Hostetler on Apr 6, 2023

There's a whole lot of preaching today that makes good points and says good things in entertaining ways, but something's missing.

Tags: Preaching, Expository, points, missing, preaching, expository  (view more)  (view less)

The 10 Commandments Of An Effective Sermon Introduction

By Brandon Kelley on Aug 26, 2022

If you haven’t grasped this yet, your sermon introduction is vitally important. But what does it look like to knock the introduction out of the park? What are some things to avoid? What are some things to ensure are a part of it? Let’s dive into the 10 commandments of an effective sermon introduction!

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Introduction, illustration, Teaching God's Word, Attention Grabber, Effective Teaching, Sermon Introduction, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

25 Truths This Preacher Needs To Fight The Enemy's Lies

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 21, 2021

"The things you need to hear repeatedly in your walk will probably vary from mine, but these are truths I cling to."

Tags: World, Truth, Preaching, Culture, enemy's lies  (view more)  (view less)

Build Your Sermon Series On The Wonder, Worry And Wishes Of Your Congregation

By Charles Arn on Mar 9, 2024

The most important thing has to do with your sermon topics. They should address people's life issues and questions about the faith.

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, Job 21:7-34

Tags: Preaching, worry, Wonder, Relevance, Wish, Worry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Ten Common Sentiments Pastors Wish They Could Express

By SermonCentral .com on May 28, 2022

Stated simply, there are many things pastors would like to say, but they don’t feel like they have the freedom to do so.

Tags: pastor, soul care, Support pastor, praying for pastors, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Thanksgiving Is A Taste Of Home

By Christine Hoover on Jun 12, 2024

"In all things, imitate and anticipate the final Thanksgiving table and a place where all our longings will finally find their home."

Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Tags: Thanks, Longing, home, give thanks, heavenly home, Thanksgiving Holiday, Gifts, God's gifts  (view more)  (view less)