In Preaching Articles: "Hard Work"

5 Questions A Pastor Should Ask Every Year

By Josh Reich on Jan 25, 2021

As leaders, we can sometimes stand in the way of change. Instead, let's take a hard look at our lives and ask these five questions to grow as leaders.

Tags: Preaching

Does Your Preaching Impress Your Old Professor Or Your People?

By Gavin Adams on Oct 10, 2021

A deep, layered and rich sermon might impress some people, but it does it work?

Scripture: Acts 13:15-20

Tags: Preaching, focus, Complicated, point, marinate, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

When You Feel Hopeless As A Leader

By Josh Reich on Jun 13, 2023

At some point as a leader, you will feel hopeless. As a pastor it will more than likely happen after the weekend. It is hard to keep hope alive all the time as a leader.

Tags: Preaching, leaders, preaching

Should I Leave My Current Ministry Position?

By Josh Reich on Feb 24, 2021

Too many pastors work at churches they would not attend if they didn’t get paid to be there. Think about this: If you work at a church, would you attend it if you didn’t get paid to be there?

Tags: Job, Preaching

15 Good-Sense Preaching Tips

By Gracia Grindal on Jan 18, 2024

Practical advice on what works--and what doesn't--in your sermon.

Scripture: John 5:1-5

Tags: Preaching, preaching

9 Powerful Ways To Introduce Your Sermon

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 9, 2025

Every athlete wants to start strong; why should your work be any different?

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 5:44-45, Luke 12:32-33, Psalm 23:4, Luke 2:13-14, Habakkuk 2:1-4, Mark 11:15-17, John 4:1-15, Luke 7:11-17, Acts 17:22-33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Emotions, Preaching, Introduction, Faithful, effective, Gate, post, Commit, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)

The One Time Jesus Prayed For You (Part 1)

By Lance Witt on Apr 2, 2024

Unity is not passive, it is active. And if we are going to experience it, we have to work for it.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3, John 17:21-23

Tags: Prejudice, selfish ambition

Only In A Small Church: Sometimes You Gotta Kill Cockroaches

By Karl Vaters on May 18, 2022

Principles that make sense in a big church don't always work in a smaller one.

Tags: leadership, Perspective, Church family, Small Church, perspective, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

9 Points For Preaching On The Problem Of Evil

By Norman Geisler on Jan 21, 2025

Evil raises hard questions about God, suffering, and justice. This article equips preachers to answer honestly, show why evil presupposes God, and preach real hope.

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Timothy 3:6, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Christian, Apologetics, Evil, Satan, Hope, suffering, tragedy, Difficulties, problem of evil, Sin General, Trials  (view more)  (view less)

Why We Preach: The Call That Won’t Let Us Go

By Leslie Holmes on May 3, 2020

Seminary is long, ministry is hard, and preaching can feel thankless. Yet pastors continue because God’s call compels them in ways nothing else can.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16, Hebrews 12:2, Romans 10:14-15, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preaching

5 Filters For A Funeral Sermon

By Chris Surber on Feb 6, 2022

I’ve preached a lot of funerals. Along the way I’ve learned some lessons from others and I’ve learned some lessons the hard way.

Tags: Preaching, Funerals Christian, preaching Christ, Funerals, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

11 Ways To Evaluate Your Own Preaching

By Chuck Lawless on Oct 24, 2025

The more important our work is, the more imperative it is we strive to improve. Here's how.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

7 Biblical Helps For Preaching On Divorce And Remarriage

By Kevin Deyoung on Sep 3, 2025

Kevin DeYoung: "The hard thing is to take a few biblical principles about marriage, divorce and remarriage and then try to apply them prayerfully and wisely to a thousand different situations."

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12, Isaiah 37:1-20

Tags: Preaching, Divorce, Principles, Remarriage, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Keep Learning To Lead: Five Practical Lessons

By Gavin Ortlund on Apr 28, 2022

Leadership is hard. I rank it up there with pain, parenting, and preaching as one of those things in life that we never fully master, but only hope to keep learning over a lifetime.

Scripture: John 13:15-16, John 16:12

Tags: Teamwork, Leadership General, servant leadership, Jesus' leadership

The Effective Pastor: Never Skimp On The Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 5, 2021

They call you Preacher because nothing you do is as important or as critical to the work of the church as your preaching.

Tags: Preaching, Pastoring, sermon, Sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)