In Preaching Articles: "Guest Preaching"

Why Every Sermon Needs A Clear Outline

By Joe Mckeever on May 17, 2025

Great preaching requires clarity and structure. A well-crafted sermon outline helps both the preacher and the congregation follow and remember the message.

Scripture: Romans 10:1-12, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 14:40, Ezra 7:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Brain, Outline, Homiletics, brain, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Doctrinal Sermons Must Connect To Human Experience

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 16, 2021

A sermon is more than a lecture about biblical facts. True preaching invites people into an encounter with God that calls for a real response.

Scripture: Romans 10:1-10, Acts 2:37, James 1:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Truth, Preaching, experience, doctrinal, human, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Chase Scene Of The Cross

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 15, 2024

Great preaching follows a line to its climax. Hal Seed points to the glory of the cross and resurrection as the climax of God's story with humanity.

Tags: Jesus, Easter, Preaching, Cross, Hal Seed, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Bethlehem This Day Resembles Heaven

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 20, 2023

One the earliest--and one of the best--Christmas sermons ever preached. You're invited to John Chrysostom's place for Christmas!

Tags:

Pastor And Prophet

By Lance Witt on May 11, 2024

"When it comes to our preaching, we live in the constant tension between pastor and prophet. On one hand, as pastors we want to encourage and care for the sheep. So, in our preaching we want to be uplifting and hopeful. On the other hand, as prophets we must sometimes say the hard things that the sheep don’t want to hear."

Scripture: Jeremiah 5:30-31, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Pride, People pleasing, pastoral leadership, selfish ambition, Pastoral Ministry, Pulpit Ministry, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of Vivid Description

By Peter Mead on Jul 22, 2024

Peter Mead: "I’m convinced that one of the key ingredients for effective preaching is effective and vivid description. Practice it. Learn it."

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Power, Preaching, illustration, descriptions, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Half-Bake Your Sermon: Part 2

By Peter Mead on Aug 14, 2024

Preaching suffers when structure is imposed, cross-references take over, application is neglected, or commentary replaces proclamation. Let the text lead.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Jeremiah 23:29, Luke 24:32, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Preaching, Text, preparation, Homiletics, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

When Creativity Crosses The Line To Become Offensive

By Calvin Miller on Apr 14, 2025

Creative preaching can clarify truth or quietly undermine it. This article reflects on when creativity serves worship and when it crosses into embarrassment.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Colossians 3:16, Romans 14:19

Tags: Church, Communication, Preaching, Confidence, Creativity, communication, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Waste Your Creative Energy In Sermon Prep

By Peter Mead on Jul 21, 2020

Effective preaching requires both discipline and creativity. Knowing when to restrain creativity and when to unleash it can transform sermon preparation and delivery.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:6-8, 2 Timothy 2:15, Ezra 7:10, Nehemiah 8:8, James 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, preaching, teaching

How To Handle Homosexuality In A Sermon

By Tim Wilkins on Oct 1, 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)

One Question That Can Ruin Your Sermon Prep—in The Best Way

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 20, 2023

If you have never asked yourself this question, you might end up preaching to the mind while steering totally clear of the soul.

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Tags: Soul, Preaching, Mind, need, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

4 Deadly Dangers In Shortcutting Quality Exegesis

By Peter Mead on Dec 18, 2024

Shortcuts in exegesis result in a passage idea that does not carry the true content--nor the character--of the passage on which we claim to be preaching.

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Tags: Preaching, preaching

3 Reasons Why I Give My Listeners Homework (And Why You Should, Too)

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 21, 2025

When we ask something more of our congregation we will quickly discover whether we are preaching for spiritual entertainment or spiritual formation.

Tags: Discipleship

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

The Future Of The Church Depends On Developing Deep People

By Ray Hollenbach on May 8, 2020

Gordon MacDonald argues that preaching and programs cannot secure a church’s future. Only intentional disciple-making and leadership development can.

Scripture: Mark 3:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:5, Ephesians 4:11-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, training, Church Renewal, Leadership