In Preaching Articles: "Hardened Heart"

Get Alone With God

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 21, 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

3 Important Reasons Why You Should Preach On Thanksgiving A Month Early

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 22, 2020

Everyone knows they're supposed to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day, but the heart-attitude won't kick in by magic; it has to be cultivated.

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Tags: Thanksgiving, Preaching, Thankfulness, gratitude, holiday stress  (view more)  (view less)

Three Key Components Of A Solid Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 12, 2020

My audience matters so much to the heart of God, that He sent His only son Jesus to die on the cross for their redemption.

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

Tags: Preaching, preaching

7 Ways To Affair-Proof Your Ministry

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 6, 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: 2 Samuel 11, Proverbs 4:23, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Matthew 5:28, 1 Timothy 3:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry, Marriage, temptation, Character, Integrity, ministry, Temptation  (view more)  (view less)

Your Pulpit Can Go Paperless

By Dan Martella on Feb 10, 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: Simple, cheat sheet, preaching, Preaching

When Church Members Insist On Their Rights.

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 23, 2022

“Consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself lest you also grow weary and lose heart,” (Hebrews 12:3).

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-44, Matthew 26:53, Hebrews 12:3, 1 Corinthians 6:7, Psalm 103:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility, conflict, Pastoral Ministry, Example of Christ

Three Things Every Pastor's Son Needs To Hear From His Father

By Johnny Levy on Oct 15, 2020

Pastor-dad, you're son's heart is longing to hear three things from you that will ground him, empower him, and make him soar.

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, John 10:15

Tags: shepherding, Shepherding

Preaching A Notable Sermon Without Using Notes

By Rev. Tejado Hanchell on Aug 18, 2020

"I believe every preacher should have at least one sermon in his heart that he could preach with or without notes if called upon at a moment's notice."

Tags: preaching, Preaching, memories, memorization

Reading Your Bible Relationally

By Lance Witt on Jun 17, 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

When A Pastor Is A Growth Barrier - Part One: Dealing With Sin

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 14, 2024

I have worked for a long time to help pastors with growth barriers in their church. They can be anything from worship issues to strategy to theology and more. So many barriers can get in the way of a church growing, but a central one isn’t found in the processes of the church. There may be a number of reasons a ministry grows cold and a church slows down. But often, the heart of the problem is the heart of the pastor.

Tags: CLERGY SIN

94 Servant Evangelism Ideas For Your Church

By Steve Sjogren on Apr 7, 2023

Servant evangelism wins the heart before it confronts the mind. A small act of kindness nudges a person closer to God, often in a profound way, as it bypasses one's mental defenses.

Scripture: John 4:5-26, John 15:9-17

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Outreach, Servant, Evangelism How To, Evangelism The Lost, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Get People To Pay Attention To Your Sermons

By Charles Stone on Feb 15, 2022

One of the most disconcerting feelings we pastors experience is when we prepare a sermon and pour our heart into it, yet feel that it didn’t make a difference in people’s lives.

Tags: preaching, Communication, Preaching, Relevance, sermons, communication  (view more)  (view less)

You Are Up To The Task Whether You Feel Like It Or Not

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 17, 2022

Deep in the heart of every man I’ve ever met lurks a daunting question that casts a shadow over every major challenge we ever face: Am I up to this?

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14, Philippians 1:6

Tags: leadership, Courage, Overwhelmed, confidence in God, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things That Are Not A Badge Of Honor In Leadership

By Carey Nieuwhof on Oct 30, 2023

There are some things I wore as badges of honor as a young leader I no longer wear as badges of honor today. What breaks my heart is I see many leaders falling into the same patterns I did.

Tags: Ministry, leadership, pastoral leadership, avoiding burnout, Leadership, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Three Questions Every Small Group Ministry Must Answer

By James Emery White on Sep 21, 2022

"Regardless of the type of small group ministry you may have, there are three foundational questions that must be settled for maximum effectiveness and clear focus––yet seldom are. And they are foundational questions because they speak to the heart of your philosophy of ministry."

Tags: strategy, BIBLE STUDY, Small groups, Bible Study, Church Small Groups, Fellowship Group, Small Group Ministry, bible study  (view more)  (view less)