In Preaching Articles: "Growth In Christ"

7 Bad Reasons Pastors Don't Share The Gospel In Every Sermon

By Greg Stier on Aug 14, 2023

In my interactions with pastors I’ve heard seven primary reasons for why some chose not to give the Gospel in every sermon.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-5

Tags: Evangelism, Gospel, Excuses, preaching Christ, evangelism, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Get Alone With God

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 22, 2022

As Jonathan Edwards expresses, and Scripture exemplifies, one aspect of a Christ-enamored heart is a gnawing ache to get alone with him.

Scripture: Mark 1:35, Matthew 4:1, Psalm 63:5-6, Hebrews 10:25, Luke 4:42, Matthew 14:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Solitude, Alone with God, soul care, intimacy with Christ

Timothy Keller On How To Preach To And Reach A Culture

By Brandon Kelley on Mar 23, 2022

Timothy Keller seems to have the pulse of our present culture in a way that I’ve not encountered before.

Tags: Preaching, Culture, skepticism, preaching Christ, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)

How To (Finally) Stop Giving In To The Pressure To Add More Ministries In Your Church

By Carey Nieuwhof on Sep 27, 2023

When you’re a church leader, you feel a lot of pressure.

Tags: focus, Simplicity, Church Body of Christ, ministry philosophy

Practically Impractical

By Chris Surber on Apr 30, 2022

In all of our efforts to be relevant are we forgetting the mysterious beauty of God?

Tags: Kingdom, God's Kingdom, mystery of Christ, eternal perspective

Six Reasons The Church Still Matters

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 9, 2024

Despite the failures of many congregations, Scripture presents the church as God’s design for spiritual growth, community, authority, and witness in the world.

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25, Hebrews 13:17, Colossians 3:12-14

Tags: Discipleship

Check Your Church's Outreach Heartbeat: Recovering A Passion For Outreach

By Kevin Harney on Mar 17, 2025

Every church shows a spiritual heartbeat. From flatline to rapid pulse, God desires a heart renewed by His love so that evangelism flows naturally and organically.

Scripture: Revelation 2:1

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Growth, Church Health, Spiritual Renewal, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Willing To Be Hated For Preaching The Gospel?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 13, 2020

Faithful gospel preaching requires courage. Christians are not called to be hateful, but they must be willing to be hated for Christ’s sake.

Scripture: John 15:18, Mark 13:13, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, Galatians 1:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Persecution, Gospel, Preaching, suffering, Hatred, hatred, gospel, preaching, Suffering  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching That Raises The Water Level

By Ray Hollenbach on Apr 30, 2025

Faithful preaching often works slowly. One sermon at a time, pastors nourish long-term growth that shapes congregations over the years.

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:14, Acts 20:27, Hebrews 5:12-14, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, Church Leadership

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)

The First Step In Being A Great Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 12, 2022

The first step in being a great pastor is to walk with God.

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:11

Tags: pastor, Basics of Christianity, Intimacy With God, intimacy with Christ, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

The Call No One Wants To Get - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Sep 26, 2023

Looking back, I see that obscurity allowed God to redirect my sense of identity and significance.

Tags: obscurity, Relationship to God, intimacy with Christ, Hidden work of God

Preaching And Perspectives

By Peter Mead on May 17, 2022

When we preach, we present a perspective. When we preach, we provoke a perspective.

Tags: Preaching, Perspective, God speaks, preaching Christ, perspective, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Global Churches Larger Than America's Largest

By James O. Davis on Jun 5, 2020

Global Christianity is expanding rapidly. These global pastors and churches reveal how God is fulfilling the Great Commission through unprecedented growth and worldwide partnerships.

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20, Psalm 67:3-4, Revelation 7:9, Isaiah 49:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Leader, Missions, Church Growth, evangelism, church, leader  (view more)  (view less)

9 Bad Habits That Limit A Church's Ministry Capacity

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 14, 2024

It’s not about church growth. Or working harder. It’s about doing smarter ministry with our church’s current resources.

Tags: Lay Leadership, hindrances to prayer, ministry vision, Capacity, capacity  (view more)  (view less)