In Preaching Articles: "First Things First"

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: worry, Wonder, Relevance, Wish, Worry, preaching, 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: home, give thanks, heavenly home, Thanksgiving Holiday, Gifts, God's gifts, Thanks, Longing  (view more)  (view less)

What You Absolutely Need To Let Your Guest Preacher Know

By Rev. Stuart Strachan Jr. on Sep 18, 2024

What are the most important things you need to let your guest preacher know before you head out of town?

Tags: ministry, preaching, Ministry, Preaching, practical advice, guest preaching  (view more)  (view less)

My 7 Part Strategy For A New Leadership Position

By Ron Edmondson on Mar 10, 2021

I realized I’m only one person and although everyone wanted some of my time and there were more ideas than we could ever accomplish, I knew I would burnout if I didn’t pace myself. This meant I said no to some things – really many things.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership, preaching

Sharpen Your Sermon With A God-Centered Checklist

By Jared Moore on Sep 19, 2025

If you want to help your people focus on God when they leave church tomorrow, here are 11 things that you cannot do.

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: preaching, God centered, God Centered, Preaching, Checklist, joke, Sharpen  (view more)  (view less)

How Your Preaching Can Destroy Modern Idols

By Chris Surber on Nov 15, 2024

Every church has those things that it clings to that are off the table for change or removal, and usually even for discussion--unless you bring them up.

Scripture: Leviticus 26:30

Tags: Preaching, destroy, Discussion, modern idols, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Help Your Sermon Last Deep Into The Week

By Brandon Kelley on Feb 5, 2020

Instead of allowing your sermon content to be forgotten, do these things to bring the point of your message back to your listeners all week long.

Tags: Preaching

How Pastors And Parents Can Help Children Benefit From The Sermon

By Erik Raymond on Oct 14, 2025

Erik Raymond suggests some things he has done as both dad and pastor to help kids hear and understand the message in “big church.”

Tags: Forgiveness, Preaching, preaching

Ron Edmondson: 7 Ways A Pastor Gets--And Keeps--Respect

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 8, 2019

Ron Edmondson: "Many times it’s the seemingly small things which cause the most damage to a leader’s reputation and damages respect."

Scripture: Exodus 23:20-33

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Pastors: The Ceo Has To Go

By Derek Vreeland on Aug 24, 2023

I feel the impulse to forsake the pastoral vocation of word and sacrament, prayer and disciple-making, in favor of becoming a CEO who gets things done.

Tags: liturgy, Theology, church and business, consumerism

10 Preaching Mistakes Everyone Can Avoid

By Jared Moore on Jun 9, 2020

If you want to help your hearers focus on God and think on God when they leave your sermon, here are 10 things that you cannot do.

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, preaching

Improve Your Preaching In 5 Easy Steps Right Now

By Erik Raymond on Aug 18, 2020

Every preacher wants to get better. Erik Raymond offers five things you can do right away to impact your next sermon.

Tags: Preaching

11 Mistakes That Take Your Preaching Focus Off Jesus

By Jared Moore on May 8, 2023

If you want to help your hearers focus on God and think on God when they leave your service, then here are 11 things that you cannot do.

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, mistakes, focus, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Smart Preachers Help Propagate Dumb Ideas

By Larry Osborne on Jun 12, 2021

Smart people can believe some really dumb things. What's worse--I think I've taught some of them from the pulpit.

Tags: advice, cliche, platitude, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)