In Preaching Articles: "Gods Story"

Doing Ministry Without Losing Your Soul Part 3

By Lance Witt on May 21, 2024

When pastoring is your job, it adds complexity to simply loving Jesus. To live and lead from a healthy soul, we must learn the art of separating our own personal pursuit of loving Jesus from our “ministry” of leading in the church.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Tags: time with God, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, soul care, avoiding burnout, Putting Christ First, Sincerity with God, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Spiritual Loitering

By Lance Witt on Mar 28, 2023

Even though Easter was just a few days ago, it is likely that you have quickly moved on to the next “thing”. But I want to challenge you to not move on too quickly. I’m sure there are some stories and God moments from this past weekend that are worth lingering over. As pastors we need to do a better job with the discipline of “spiritual loitering”.

Scripture: Psalm 111:4, Psalm 143:5

Tags: Remember, inner peace, good work

Why Illustrations Matter In Preaching: Learning From Jesus’ Use Of Parables

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 14, 2024

Parables and illustrations bring preaching to life. These seven tests help pastors use stories wisely to clarify truth, reduce resistance, and make sermons memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 13:34, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Psalm 78:2, Luke 8:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Expository Preaching, expository preaching

When Preachers Intrude Too Much

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 21, 2024

Personal stories can help a sermon—but too much “me” distracts from Christ. This reflection warns preachers to minimize self and elevate the Savior.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5, Psalm 141:3, John 3:30, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 1 Peter 4:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Self examination, Sermon Craft, Self Examination

Who Says Bigger Is Better? 3 Reasons I'm Convinced God Works Through Small Churches

By Chris Surber on Oct 14, 2021

"Bigger churches can do things smaller cannot do. And little churches do things much larger churches can never do."

Scripture: Acts 11:15-18, Genesis 22:1-15

Tags: family, Preaching, friendship, connection, Small Church, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Slaves In Your Church’s Backyard

By David Batstone on Dec 13, 2022

Modern slavery hides in plain sight. These stories reveal how trafficking thrives worldwide and even locally, calling Christians to seek justice with persistent, sacrificial love.

Tags: Compassion, Culture, Slavery, Justice, traffic, injustice, Human Trafficking, abolition, culture, Modern Slavery, Abolition  (view more)  (view less)

You Need To Know This Before You Preach

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 23, 2023

Here's a five-minute recap of the week's biggest news stories. Make sure you're in-the-know before you step into the pulpit this Sunday.

Scripture: James 5:10-20

Tags: Preaching, News, Politics, current events, world news, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Necessary Thing

By Thomas C. Brown on Jul 10, 2022

Greater is the value of personal intimacy with God than busyness for him. Service must follow surrender and solitude.

Scripture: Luke 10:42, John 17:3, Philippians 3:8-10

Tags: Scripture, leadership, devotion, priorities, God's Word, pastoral leadership, Intimacy With God, Pastoral Ministry, soul care, Guarding Your Soul, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

12 Simple Ways To Be A Pastor Who Prays Like A Warrior

By Hal Seed on Nov 10, 2022

I believe every pastor ought to be a prayer warrior.

Scripture: Isaiah 56:7, 1 Samuel 3:10

Tags: Prayer, daily prayer, Prayer for Others, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Holy Spirit's Power, Seek God's Face, God hears prayer  (view more)  (view less)

The Chief End Of Preaching

By Steven Lawson on Mar 2, 2022

No man’s preaching can rise any higher than his view of God.

Tags: Preaching, God's greatness, Pastoral Character, church leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Handle Homosexuality In A Sermon

By Tim Wilkins on Sep 30, 2021

Faithful preaching on homosexuality requires more than correct doctrine. It demands humility, clarity, and gospel-shaped compassion that leads sinners to Christ.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-13, Matthew 2:9-15, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Acts 20:27, 1 Peter 3:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Preaching, motivation, Homosexuality, counsel of god, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)

The Bible Works!

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 7, 2025

Phil Strout: "Everyone has an opinion. And guess what? So does God, and he's communicated it to us."

Tags: Bible, Word of God, Opinion, communicate, phil strout, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Get Caught In The Practical Preaching Trap

By Chris Surber on Nov 3, 2024

Life isn't a series of problems to be solved. It is a journey to be lived out.

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Tags: Preaching, Practical, trap, glorify god, corporate worship, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Secret Key To Great Preaching

By Tony Merida on Jan 5, 2022

"The essential secret is not mastering certain techniques but being mastered by certain convictions."

Scripture: Job 23:1-17

Tags: Preaching, Master, Desire for God, Secret, effective preaching, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Every Sermon Needs A Strategy: What's Yours?

By Peter Mead on May 24, 2024

Peter Mead presents five big questions you should ask after you've studied the text.

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:12-18, Acts 8:26-40

Tags: Preaching, Relevance, God's Heart, main idea, reinforce, preaching  (view more)  (view less)