In Preaching Articles: "First Things First"

Never Blame God

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 30, 2022

You are not the first Christian to have felt angry at God, and you will not be the last.

Scripture: Job 42:6, 1 John 1:5, Romans 9:22-23, Romans 11:36, James 4:4, James 1:1-17, Hebrews 12:11, Daniel 4:35, Revelation 17:17, Proverbs 21:1, Psalm 115:3, Lamentations 3:37-38, Job 2:10, Jonah 4:9, Matthew 10:29  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, doubt, Hope, Blaming God

6 Ways The Gospel Should Shape A Pastor’s Leadership

By Brandon Kelley on Nov 16, 2022

A Pastor’s leadership must first and foremost be a response to Christ’s gospel.

Scripture: Acts 4:19, 1 Peter 3:12

Tags: Character, bible truth, Church leaders, Godly Leaders, Bible Truth, pastoral leadership, Praying, Gospel centered, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Facing The Issue Of Biblical Literacy

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 12, 2022

This article is the first of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Bible, Preaching, pastor, Preacher, Teacher, sermon prep, Biblical Literacy, Pastor, Sermon Prep, preaching, preacher, bible, biblical literacy, teacher  (view more)  (view less)

The Overlooked Answer To Powerful Preaching

By Brian Croft on Nov 22, 2019

Before the preacher can persuade any sinner to turn to Christ, he must first be persuaded himself.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-10

Tags: Preaching

Has The Word You Preach Changed You?

By Brian Orme on Jul 6, 2025

Before the preacher can persuade any sinner to turn to Christ, he must first be persuaded himself.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Christ, Preaching, Sinner, Persuade, preach, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Say Good-Bye: Preaching Your Last Sermon

By Chris Surber on Nov 9, 2021

People usually listen closely to your first words--and your last. Make them meaningful.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Tags: Preaching, Purpose, preparation, Goodbye, last sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

A Risk Worth Taking Part Ii

By Leigh Ann Carey Looyenga on Dec 26, 2023

The first step in practically engaging Sabbath rest is getting rid of our narrow and legalistic views of the day.

Scripture: Mark 2:27-28, Psalm 112:1, John 10:10, Mark 3:1-4

Tags: Sunday, Sabbath, Saturday, legalism vs grace, New Year's Reflection, intimacy with Christ  (view more)  (view less)

The Pastor’s Wife’s Greatest Ministry

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 8, 2022

"A pastor’s wife’s greatest ministry is to her husband first, and her children second."

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:5, Luke 14:14

Tags: Support, Godly Women, Godly Wife, admonish one another, Wife's Role, pastor's wife, Encouraging Wife, Speak the Truth  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Preaching Take In The Wide View?

By Peter Mead on Dec 25, 2020

In order to preach good news and not turn it into burdensome law, first we look up, then we look out.

Tags: Preaching, view, Wide, epistle, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preach The Past: Discover Powerful Illustrations And Lessons From Church History

By Chris Surber on Sep 30, 2025

A working knowledge of Church history teaches us to be humble. Our footprints aren’t the first tracks on this road.

Scripture: Acts 2:13-40, Acts 25:1-17

Tags:

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 1—begin With The End In Mind (Clarity)

By Charles Stone on Mar 15, 2024

Begin with the End in Mind is the first installment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 6:40

Tags: Preaching, pastor, sermon prep, sermon, Pastor, Sermon Prep, Sermon, sermon writing, neuroscience, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

"Jesus Is Lord” Is Not A Slogan

By Ed Stetzer on Oct 28, 2020

To confess Jesus as Lord in the first century was treason. Today it risks becoming cliché. The words still demand total allegiance.

Scripture: Romans 10:9, Philippians 2:11, Matthew 6:24, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Luke 12:32  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Lord, Jesus, Outreach, Missions, Preaching, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Must-Do’s Of A Strong Sermon Opening

By Lane Sebring on Feb 25, 2026

The first 90 seconds of your sermon are some of the most powerful seconds you have. Don’t waste them.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Start With A Bang! Open Your Sermon Strong

By Tyler Scarlett on Nov 20, 2024

A preacher's worst fear is that the congregation will stop listening. What's far more dreadful is if the people never were listening in the first place.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags:

Say Hard Things

By Marshall Segal on Apr 13, 2021

When was the last time someone told you you were wrong? If you can’t remember, you may have reason to be concerned. Sometimes the most loving thing someone can do for us is point out an error or inconsistency in the way we think or live.

Scripture: Matthew 6:16, Romans 12:3, Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 1:6-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Galatians 2:11-14, Acts 10:28, Acts 15:11, 2 Chronicles 7:14-19, Matthew 6:18, 1 Peter 1:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Humility, Confrontation, Grace and Truth