In Preaching Articles: "Guarding Your Heart"

How I Write A Sermon

By Bruce Frank on Aug 17, 2020

Bruce Frank, lead pastor of of Biltmore Baptist Church, one of the top 50 fastest-growing churches in America, shares his sermon prep process.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Heart, Study, repent, circumcise, Sword, Reject  (view more)  (view less)

Aim For The Ear

By Hershael York on May 24, 2025

Preaching is fundamentally an oral event, not a written one. Effective preachers understand that delivery, connection, and presence are essential to communicating the Word.

Scripture: Acts 2:37, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 2:4, Nehemiah 8:8

Tags: Heart, Preaching, mistakes, Head, connection, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Top 3 Inner Battles Of A Leader

By Dan Reiland on Aug 6, 2022

Leaders who are fully engaged in their mission fight battles. There is no way to avoid battles if you want to make progress consistently. New territory is never easy, and it always comes at a price. Life never grants a free ride, and leaders don’t receive a “get out of jail free” card when it comes to solving serious problems. The good news is that we don’t fight alone.

Tags: leadership, Discouragement, DIVIDED HEART, Distraction, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Answering Claims That The Bible Contains Errors, And Why It Matters That It Doesn’t

By Randy Alcorn on Nov 22, 2022

I’m reminded of what the Huguenots said of the Bible and its critics: “Hammer away ye hostile hands; your hammers break, God’s Anvil stands.”

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Apologetics, Biblical truth, inerrant, study bible, defending the gospel, guard the truth, Be prepared, spiritual knowledge  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching God-Centered?

By Bernie Van Eyk on Sep 11, 2024

People crave practical help, but their deepest need is God Himself. God-centered preaching lifts hearts from self to the glory revealed in Jesus Christ.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:4, Genesis 1:1, Psalm 73:17-26, John 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

Reading Your Bible Relationally

By Lance Witt on Jun 18, 2022

Growing in knowledge is important, but knowledge without relationship is dangerous. That was one of the big issues Jesus had with the Pharisees. They had biblical knowledge but their heart was far from God.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Scripture, Personal Growth, Quiet time, pastoral leadership

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

The Secret Ingredient For Effective Ministry

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 17, 2025

What if there were a way to open the floodgates of heaven for other people? What if YOU could have this secret?

Scripture: John 5:9-16

Tags: Ministry, Humble, Humility, effective, humble heart, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

6 Ways You Can Break Through To Reach Hardened Hearts

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Sep 8, 2025

"Hardened hearts need to hear from a communicator, not a speaker." What can you do to reach them?

Tags: Truth, Preaching, humor, hard heart, Attitude, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Affair-Proof Your Ministry

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 7, 2020

Moral failure devastates families and churches. These seven practical guardrails help leaders protect their hearts, marriages, and ministries from the pull of lust.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Matthew 5:28, 1 Timothy 3:2

Tags: Character

Better Ingredients, Better Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jun 1, 2020

Even slight shifts in tone, focus, or structure can distort a sermon’s flavor. Guard the gospel, preach the text, and let Scripture, not your outline, set the menu.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Romans 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pastoral

4 Ways To Keep Your Evangelistic Edge In Preaching

By J. John on Apr 2, 2020

Evangelistic preaching flows from a heart on fire for the lost. Be yourself, be prayerful, be clear, and be practical so the gospel connects and bears fruit.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Isaiah 6:9-10, Matthew 13:13-15, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, evangelism, Evangelism Training

Sincerity In Preaching Can't Be Faked: Do You Have It?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 26, 2025

Eight tips on "bearing your honest heart" for greater preaching impact.

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15, Exodus 32:1-14

Tags: Preaching, Authenticity, preaching

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)

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