In Preaching Articles: "Good Story"

You Need To Know This Before You Preach

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 24, 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)

Are You Guilty Of Pastoral Plagiarism?

By James Emery White on Oct 10, 2020

Borrowing ideas is common in ministry, but passing off another preacher’s words or stories as your own crosses an ethical line. Here’s where that line stands.

Scripture: Exodus 20:15-16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:28, Proverbs 12:22

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism, Homiletics, preaching

Do Your Listeners Feel The Text?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Nov 27, 2020

Faithful preaching requires sound exegesis, but powerful sermons also help listeners experience the biblical story. Learn how engaging the senses can deepen your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 8:48, Luke 8:43, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, audience, Engage, feel, exegesis, preaching, Exegesis  (view more)  (view less)

Using Illustrations For Maximum Impact: 4 Essential Notes

By Lane Sebring on Feb 19, 2026

A good illustration will reach out and grab your listeners and pull them into your content. It will make them care. But How?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The Most Important Ingredient For Rebuke

By Marshall Segal on Nov 1, 2022

"The recipe for good rebuke involves far more than one ingredient, but one ingredient may be the most important."

Tags: repentance, Word of God, brotherly love, patience, Christian Love, Biblical truth, pastoral leadership, rebuking sin, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

How To Teach Old Testament Characters

By J.d. Greear on Feb 25, 2025

David’s life shows both the longing for a true King and the failure of every human ruler. His story presses us toward Jesus, the only King who never disappoints.

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: David, Christ As King, biblical theology, Biblical Theology, Old Testament Christology, Christ as King  (view more)  (view less)

Gird Your Preaching: 10 Supports

By Peter Mead on Nov 14, 2020

Many beloved Bible stories are familiar, yet structurally critical passages often remain neglected. Faithful preaching must strengthen the church’s grasp of Scripture’s load-bearing texts.

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-9, Genesis 15:6, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 110:1

Tags: Bible, Preaching, important, entire, prevent, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Eugene Peterson On The Dignity Of Local Pastoring

By Eugene Peterson on Jul 14, 2021

"I grew up in a culture that was very entertainment-centered. Pastors were really good storytellers, and they were attractive people, glamorous." –Eugene Peterson

Scripture: John 3:16, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 2 Corinthians 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth, Preaching, Growth in Christ, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

I Prepare My Sermons By Dancing

By Derwin Gray on Dec 16, 2020

Faithful preaching requires more than good communication. These five principles help pastors prepare sermons that are prayerful, Christ-centered, and life-changing.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24, Ezra 7:10, Luke 24:27, John 5:39-40, 2 Timothy 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, dance, teach, preaching, Christ Centered Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 23, 2025

Beyond the weekly phrase, "Good word, Preacher," the spiritual lives of the people in your church provide excellent feedback regarding the effectiveness of your preaching.

Tags: believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation, spiritual health, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Should We Try To Please Our Listeners? How Much?

By Peter Mead on Sep 18, 2025

If listeners aren't satisfied, it could be a good sign, or it could be a bad sign. In the same way, happy listeners may mean something is wrong.

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, please, listener, Feedback, criticism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Advice For Preaching Funeral Sermons

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Feb 24, 2021

Brief. Gospel-centered. Be sensitive to family. There are other important factors to consider when preaching funerals. But these three pieces of advice are a good place to start.

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-14

Tags: Preaching, Funeral, Christian Funeral

When Passion In The Pulpit Goes Too Far

By Peter Mead on Apr 28, 2020

Preaching with zeal is good, but unguarded passion can turn aggressive, shouty, distracting, or draining. Learn how to keep intensity from undermining your message.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:16, Proverbs 15:1, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Colossians 4:6, James 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Discernment, Preaching, passion, Passion of Christ, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach To The Heart

By John Bjorge on Nov 16, 2021

Faithful preaching requires more than good exegesis. When sermons speak to the heart with trust, integrity, and lived faith, real gospel transformation follows.

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-6, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, James 1:22

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

What Your Congregation Wants To Hear At Christmastime

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 15, 2023

Joe McKeever helps reframe our calling: "The people who make up your congregation do not require anything new from you regarding the Christmas story this season or any season. "

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-16

Tags: Preaching, preaching