In Preaching Articles: "Follow Your Heart"

Your Pulpit Can Go Paperless

By Dan Martella on Feb 11, 2023

When Dan Martella stepped out from his pulpit and simply shared the message from his heart, he discovered something powerful.

Scripture: Genesis 3:4

Tags: Preaching, Simple, cheat sheet, preaching

Pastoral Transition: Setting Your Church Up For Ministry Success After You're Gone

By Karl Vaters on Oct 20, 2023

Following a long-term, successful pastorate is one of the hardest callings in ministry. Every pastor should do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for the next pastor and the church to do great ministry after we leave.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: leadership, servant leadership, Pastoral Transition, Decentralize, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

More Tough Skin And Tender Hearts: How To Prepare For Conversations On Ethnic Harmony

By Philip Holmes on Mar 14, 2022

Humility and love that produces tough skin and tender hearts are essential as we have these conversations.

Scripture: James 1:19, Matthew 11:29, Philippians 2:3

Tags: racism, Unity in Christ, Conversations

Spiritual Disciplines And The Sinkhole Syndrome

By Donald Whitney on Jan 22, 2022

As the pressures of life increase and more deadlines loom, it becomes harder to maintain time for the devotional life. And herein is where the erosion begins.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12, John 17:17, Luke 4:16, Matthew 14:23

Tags: Follow Jesus, Spiritual Maturity, Spiritual Discipline, Spiritual Failures, sermon spiritual  (view more)  (view less)

94 Servant Evangelism Ideas For Your Church

By Steve Sjogren on Apr 8, 2023

Servant evangelism wins the heart before it confronts the mind. A small act of kindness nudges a person closer to God, often in a profound way, as it bypasses one's mental defenses.

Scripture: John 4:5-26, John 15:9-17

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Outreach, Servant, Evangelism How To, Evangelism The Lost, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

Make Your Sermons More Memorable: 6 Tips From Neuroscience

By Charles Stone on Jul 29, 2020

Dr. Charles Stone draws from the study of the human brain and suggests how we can impact the human heart.

Tags: Preaching

Should Your Next Altar Call Be Focused On Private Prayer Or Public Confession?

By Jeff K. Clarke on Nov 11, 2019

If we tell people that all they need to do to become a follower of Christ is to bow their heads, close their eyes and repeat a 30-second prayer, what are we saying about Jesus?

Tags: Preaching, private prayer, altar call, public confession

I'm Not A "Fan" Of Jesus

By Kyle Idleman on Jan 13, 2025

Kyle Idleman offers his viewpoint on the difference between fans and followers of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Love, Jesus, Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Preaching, Disciples, follower, preaching, church, love  (view more)  (view less)

3 Immediate Steps To Upping Your Preaching Game

By Lane Sebring on Oct 16, 2019

What separates ordinary preachers from extraordinary communicators is a relentless desire to improve.

Tags: Preaching, resources, up your game, watch yourself, study others, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Pastor An Evangelistic Church

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 24, 2021

Pastors, do you know what an"evangelistic church" looks like? Are you even taking the time to share the gospel?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:10, 1 Corinthians 11:1

Tags: Evangelism, leadership, challenge, Sharing Your Faith, Setting an example, evangelism, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Get People To Pay Attention To Your Sermons

By Charles Stone on Feb 16, 2022

One of the most disconcerting feelings we pastors experience is when we prepare a sermon and pour our heart into it, yet feel that it didn’t make a difference in people’s lives.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Relevance, sermons, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Do You Preach? My Four Reasons

By Ken Collins on Oct 19, 2021

Veteran preacher Ken Collins shares the heart of his calling. How do you see yours?

Tags: Preaching, Glorify, motivate, educate, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Practice Your Sermon Delivery? Yes: 7 Elements Of Great Practice

By Charles Stone on Nov 22, 2019

Three factors have made the biggest positive difference for me: preparing my heart before the Lord, scheduling adequate study time to avoid feeling rushed and practicing preaching my sermon.

Scripture: Mark 15:27-40

Tags: Study, Preaching, prepare, routine, prep routine, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Three Probing Questions Every Pastor Should Ask Himself

By Charles Stone on Sep 14, 2023

Take a few moments and ask yourself these questions to see what God reveals about your heart and motives.

Tags: Faithfulness, identity, Identity in Christ, motives

5 Tips For Leading The Commuter Generation

By Rick Ezell on Apr 8, 2020

Following Jesus can never be done in a hurry. It is not a hundred yard dash. If we want to follow someone, we can’t go faster than the one who is leading.

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Tags: Ministry, Outreach, Preaching