In Preaching Articles: "Hard Work"

Work Smarter, Not Harder

By Lance Witt on Jan 10, 2022

There is a story in the Bible about a very gifted and competent leader who wasn’t working smart.

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-27

Tags: priorities, advice, Leadership Listening, walking wisely

The Hardest Part Of A Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 23, 2021

The Lord gives His message to those who seek Him, who wait upon Him, who are willing to do His will.

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-15

Tags: Preaching, difficult, hard, preaching

Why Was I So Hard On That Church I Visited?

By Karl Vaters on Jul 2, 2022

How might a newcomer view your church? What barriers may they face? What obstacles could be unintentionally in the way of them connecting and finding a place to belong?

Tags: leadership, Visitors, church ministry, Welcoming Others, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Does Preaching Still Work?

By Kenton C. Anderson on Oct 7, 2020

Kenton Anderson wonders, "Perhaps preachers have lost faith in preaching because they've been offering too much poor preaching."

Tags: Preaching

Is Preaching Your Work Or God's?

By Peter Mead on Jul 29, 2021

Paul wrote and he wrote very strongly, but where was his confidence?

Tags: Paul, Preaching, work, action, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Church Growth And The Work Of God

By Josh Reich on Oct 6, 2023

We know that God is the one who makes a church grow, that it isn’t on us. This is both a comfort and a problem.

Tags: Communication, vision, Discipleship, Church Growth, communication  (view more)  (view less)

The Work Life Balance Myth

By Shawn Lovejoy on May 27, 2022

Family and work can’t be balanced. The good news is that it’s not supposed to be.

Scripture: Proverbs 24:27

Tags: family, leadership, priorities, Balanced Life, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Does Street Evangelism Really Work?

By Greg Stier on Jan 28, 2025

Evangelism specialist Greg Stier discusses the veracity of street evangelism and how best to win people for Christ.

Tags: Evangelism, Salvation, Lack, Evangelism How To, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Would A Ten-Minute Sermon Work?

By Ed Cyzewski on Aug 1, 2020

One parishioner said, "If a sermon were a practical, 10-minute exposition of scripture, I’d be happy." Would you be happy, Pastor?

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Tags: Preaching

Could A 10-Minute Sermon Work?

By Ed Cyzewski on Feb 13, 2020

It's not about length, is it? "I want my pastors to know they can preach for 10 or 60 minutes."

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:10-15

Tags: Preaching, short, length, preaching

How To Get Your Prayer To Work

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Mar 25, 2022

When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works!

Scripture: Matthew 6:10, Psalm 119:105, Mark 11:24, Hebrews 11:6, 1 John 5:14-15, Colossians 3:17, John 14:13, Matthew 6:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, God's Glory, Jesus Name, confidence in prayer

God’s Work In Your Depression

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 5, 2022

“Is this depression? I have almost no motivation for anything. I have been praying and I will keep praying for God to be my strength but how do you fight when you don’t feel like fighting?"

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2-3, Psalm 139:11-12

Tags: Emotions, Healing, endurance, Depression, Struggles, soul care, Fighting for Joy, Help for the Hurting  (view more)  (view less)

Gospel-Centered Sermons Actually Work

By Jeff Medders on Nov 16, 2022

"I want to encourage every pastor reading this to keep preaching the gospel. Week in. Week out. Keep exalting, heralding, and lifting up our crucified Savior, risen from the dead, reigning in Heaven, saving all who will look to him and believe."

Scripture: Romans 16:25, Colossians 1:28, 1 Corinthians 2:2

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, teach, pastoral leadership, Entrust with Gospel, Pastoral Ministry, preaching Christ, power of the gospel, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Cut Off Your Hand, Tear Out Your Eye

By Ray Ortlund on Aug 3, 2022

Hard words are not harmful words—when they come from Jesus. The real Jesus loves us enough to accept us freely and confront us honestly.

Scripture: Colossians 2:23, Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 13:21, Matthew 5:6, Titus 2:11-12, Hebrews 12:4, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Matthew 5:29-30  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, soul care, Hard Teaching

A Preacher's Gut-Check: Seven Hard Questions About Your Sermon

By J.s. Park on Jun 20, 2025

After you have your three points, consulted all the commentaries and fit in your illustrations, then it's time to get real.

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Preaching, Good, questions, preaching