In Preaching Articles: "Focus On Numbers"

The Devil Knows How To Discourage You

By SermonCentral .com on May 10, 2022

This is the focus of all Satan’s massive, multifarious strategies: to dis-courage us through dis-belief in God’s promises.

Tags: Satan, Discouragement, give thanks, Discouraged

Why Pandemics Are Dangerous For Jews

By Dr. Susan Michael on Oct 27, 2020

Throughout the Muslim world, rumors abound that the Jews developed the coronavirus to gain power, kill a large number of people, and make a fortune selling the antidote.

Tags: Danger, Jews, Pandemic

Journey In The Dark

By Peter Mead on Jan 14, 2022

God delights to transform lives. There are many ways to depict this journey of transformation, but let’s focus on one example from the Old Testament.

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3, Psalm 130:1-8

Tags: Psalms, Transformation, transformed life, Christian Maturity

Unchurched Or Unsaved? What Our Vocabulary Reveals About Our Beliefs

By Trevin Wax on Aug 17, 2024

Trevin Wax: I wonder if one of the main reasons for the dwindling number of baptisms is represented by a subtle shift in vocabulary--so subtle that we might overlook it.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Epidemic: Another Pastor Burned Out And Quit Last Sunday

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 22, 2021

It never gets easier. No matter how many times you hear about it. And we're hearing about it a lot more lately. In epidemic numbers.

Tags: Pastoral Character, success in ministry, avoiding burnout, praying for pastors

Sorry, Pastors – The Growth Of The Church Is Not Up To Us

By Karl Vaters on Jun 5, 2024

"Preaching the Word, training disciples and ministering to the community may or may not increase the number of people who sit in front of me from Sunday to Sunday. But it will produce a healthy church."

Tags: Church Growth, Surrender, Healthy Church, God's Church, God in control, pastoral leadership, call to discipleship, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

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

4 Weapons Of Mass Distraction In A Leader’s Life

By Charles Stone on Nov 13, 2023

Ask yourself which of these four weapons of mass distraction divert you the most from leading at your best.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Tags: leadership, focus, distractions, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Effective Leadership, Leading Others Well, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

10 Reasons Even Committed Church Attenders Are Attending Church Less Often

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 21, 2023

It comes up in a surprising number of conversations these days. And no one’s quite sure how to respond to it. The issue? Even committed church attenders are attending church less often.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25, 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3, Matthew 24:9-13

Tags: Technology, Culture, church decline, Church attendence, culture  (view more)  (view less)

7 Keys To Increasing Your Church's Footprint

By Jim Morgan on Dec 22, 2021

Jesus modeled discipleship and community engagement as an example for His Church to follow. He felt a small number of highly effective disciples would cover much more ground than a slew of casual followers.

Tags: Outreach, Missional, Make Disciples, local church purpose

7 Steps To Start Becoming A Church People Want To Commit To

By Karl Vaters on Apr 12, 2022

A growing number of people who do go to church don’t want to go, either. If we don’t give them something worth committing to, they’ll be gone soon.

Tags: Learning, inspiration, Leadership Listening, fixing eyes on Jesus, commitment to church  (view more)  (view less)

An Illustration On Eternity

By Francis Chan on Oct 14, 2023

Francis Chan shares a powerful sermon illustration about living for God in the short time we have on this earth. Use this illustration in an upcoming message about the importance of living with an eternal focus.

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-15, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 37:18

Tags: Self, Confidence, perspective, Eternity, Love, Sacrifice, Resurrection, challenge, Perspective, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Commitments Of Renewal Every Church Leader Should Make For A New Year

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 30, 2022

I see the New Year as a time for recommitment and re-focus. And though it is simply the changing of the page of a calendar, it is still a good time to be reminded about those areas that are most important in our lives.

Tags: Outreach, New Year, simplify, daily prayer

Do Not Forsake True Solitude, Pastor

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 11, 2022

I am talking about purposely removing yourself from the busyness to focus on prayer for your congregation, reflection on your spiritual life and those around you, and meditation on the huge weight that is the pastoral ministry.

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Tags: Prayer Life, Solitude, Silence, Leadership General, prayer life  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When Times Are Tight

By David R. Stokes on Mar 30, 2020

The fact is, when current reality begins to let us down, when times turn tough, even tight, this is a moment for us to shift the focus away from this to that, from now to then, from here to there.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Preaching, Search