In Preaching Articles: "Growing In Faith"

10 Tips For Better Preaching Pt.1

By Jim Martin on Apr 13, 2020

Faithful week-in, week-out preaching depends less on clever ideas and more on habits of love, clarity, restraint, identification, and genuine passion. These ten simple practices help preachers serve their congregations with messages that are understood, valued, and taken to heart.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Peter 5:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Homiletics, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Tools Small Group Leaders Need To Succeed

By John Gilman Ii on Aug 8, 2024

Small groups help churches grow because they help strangers become great friends. People stay at churches where they find friends because friendship covers a multitude of sins. Small groups involve us in others’ lives and really invest us in the church. These friendships eventually turn into deep, meaningful connections that can last a lifetime.

Tags: friendship, Small groups, church organization

The Ultimate Character Test Any Great Leader Passes

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 14, 2023

Moral failure takes out more leaders than it should. But real success is deeper than just avoiding the ditch.

Tags: Leadership, pastoral leadership, church leadership, First Things First, Leadership Failure, True Success, e, leadership, Character, Faithfulness, Home Life, Integrity, Popularity  (view more)  (view less)

Adjusting To Reality: Loss And The Christian Life

By Joe Mckeever on Feb 4, 2020

Earlier this year, author and pastor Joe McKeever lost his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Margaret. In this moving article, he reflects on what it means to "adjust" to the new reality--and how faith requires an adjustment, as well.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:14-17

Tags: death in Christ

The Affair You Are Most Likely To Have As A Leader

By Carey Nieuwhof on Sep 8, 2023

Obviously, some leaders have emotional or sexual affairs with people to whom they are not married. As heartbreaking, future-altering and faith-shattering as those affairs can be, there’s another kind of affair you’re actually far more likely to have.

Tags: workaholic, Leadership, leadership, Healthy Church, avoiding burnout  (view more)  (view less)

Turning To Jesus In Exhaustion

By Adam Weber on Apr 28, 2022

I had only recently completed my master’s degree, I didn’t want to start this church in the first place, it was struggling to grow, and here I was moving this stupid sign through three feet of snow. Without thinking, the words came out: God, what am I doing here? I’m tired!

Tags: Exhaustion, rest in god

Five Things God Never Said

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jan 1, 2025

Common sayings about God and salvation often distort the gospel. Exposing five popular misconceptions helps believers regain clarity, confidence, and grace in evangelism.

Scripture: Revelation 3:20, John 20:31, Ezekiel 3:18-19, John 6:44, Matthew 10:32-33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Witness, Outreach, Salvation, Gospel, Preaching, preaching, gospel clarity, Gospel Clarity, Misconceptions About God, Assurance Of Salvation, myth, Assurance of Salvation, Bible Influence, Salvation By Faith, evangelism, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Trusting God In The Eleventh Hour

By Josh Read on Nov 4, 2025

We live by the clock. Every minute is measured against what we hope to achieve. Waiting, then, feels inefficient. We pray for breakthrough and expect God to move as fast as we refresh our screens. But when the silence lingers and the plans fall apart, what then? The parable in Matthew 20:1–16 reshapes how we see God’s timing, grace, and trust.

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:3, James 1:4, Psalm 13:1, Isaiah 55:8-9, Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:9, Matthew 6:8, Isaiah 40:31, Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 5:45, Numbers 14:6-9, Genesis 21:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: grace, Christian Living, Spiritual Growth, Encouragement, spiritual growth, Kingdom of God, Waiting on God, christian living, kingdom of God, God's Timing, Faith, Grace, Trust, Perseverance, encouragement, God's timing  (view more)  (view less)

When God Stiff-Arms A Pastor

By Lance Witt on Jul 24, 2023

God delights to show His favor. He longs to pour out His Spirit. He is a God of lavish grace. But if you want to see God remove His favor and hold back His Spirit and shut off the spigot, just introduce pride. I have a growing awareness of how much pride has been and is in my life. It’s been a constant companion for more than fifty years. I am well acquainted with the dark side of leadership.

Tags:

John Piper, George Mueller, And The Pleasures Of God

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 9, 2022

God is like a great Niagara Falls—you look at it and think: surely this can’t keep going at this force for year after year after year. It seems like it would have to rest. Or it seems like some place up stream it would run dry. But, no, it just keeps surging and crashing and making honeymooners happy century after century. That’s the way God is about doing us good. He never grows weary of it. It never gets boring to him.

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-18, Jeremiah 32:39-41, Psalm 119:68, Deuteronomy 30:9, Ephesians 2:7, Philippians 4:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: George Mueller, Salvation, Unfailing Love, john piper, Endless Grace, Riches of Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Honoring Our Heroes: A Veterans Day Reflection

By Josh Read on Nov 11, 2025

The freedom we enjoy today was not purchased cheaply. It was bought with courage, sacrifice, and the kind of love that runs toward danger instead of away from it. Veterans Day calls us to remember not only the battles fought on foreign soil, but the faith, character, and conviction of those who served. In honoring them, we are drawn to a deeper question: How does Scripture teach us to honor those who have given much?

Scripture: Romans 13:7, Mark 10:45, 1 Samuel 17:47, Ephesians 6:7, Isaiah 61:1, Philippians 1:3, John 15:13, Matthew 5:9, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Revelation 21:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Veterans Day, Gratitude, Pastor Leadership, Honor, Service, honor, Discipleship, gratitude  (view more)  (view less)

Understanding Halloween: A Biblical Perspective For Believers

By Josh Read on Oct 28, 2025

As the autumn leaves start to crunch underfoot and the air is turning crisp, Halloween pops up on our calendars once again. For so many, it's all about the costumes, candy, and a bit of harmless fun. But for us as believers, it often sparks some thoughtful questions: Is this just a lighthearted holiday, or is there more we should consider in light of our faith? Let's dive into Scripture together and explore a gentle, biblical lens on Halloween that helps us navigate it with grace and joy.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 2:4, Matthew 22:39, Ephesians 6:12, Deuteronomy 18:10-12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, Church Leadership, pastoring, halloween, Halloween, advice, Pastoring  (view more)  (view less)

A Biblical Response To The Charlie Kirk Tragedy

By Josh Read on Sep 15, 2025

The sudden and violent loss of Christian leader Charlie Kirk confronts the church with deep grief and urgent questions. This article offers a biblical response by asking: Who is God, and who is Jesus? Scripture affirms that God is both sovereign and near, redeeming evil for good and comforting the brokenhearted. Jesus, acquainted with sorrow, shows us how to endure suffering with prayer, compassion, justice, humility, and love. In light of this hope, Christians are called to grieve honestly, love boldly, and continue Christ’s mission with steadfast faith.

Tags: Sermon Prep, ministry, Sermon prep, Charlie Kirk, Ministry, sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Celebrate Mother's Day With Powerful Sermons And Resources

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 10, 2025

Mother’s Day Sermon Ideas & Free Resources for Churches

Tags: Worship Materials, Free Resources, Service Planning, sermon preparation, mothers day, mom's day, Sermons, Resources, Encouraging Messages, inspire, Sermon Prep, Sermon Preparation, church, Sermon prep, Mom's Day, love, resources, Powerful, churches, sermon prep, sermons, moms, Mothers Day, mothers, mother's day, Inspire, inspiration, Motherhood, Faith, Love, Church, mom  (view more)  (view less)