In Preaching Articles: "Homiletics"

10 Preaching Questions With Ray Ortlund Jr.

By Colin Adams on Feb 22, 2025

Ray Ortlund reflects on preaching’s centrality, the weight of the pulpit, and the spiritual realities that shape a faithful, believable, Christ-exalting ministry.

Scripture: Romans 10:14

Tags: Homiletics

8 Starts To Avoid In Your Preaching

By Rachel Blom on Jan 4, 2023

The first moments of a sermon shape whether people will stay engaged. These eight common but ineffective sermon starts reveal what preachers should avoid to maintain attention and build trust with listeners.

Tags: Homiletics

How Preachers Silence Themselves

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 8, 2020

H. Beecher Hicks warns that preachers are often silenced not by persecution alone, but by fear, compromise, money, and moral failure.

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9, Acts 4:19-20, Galatians 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Ezekiel 33:7-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Homiletics

Why Don't More Seminaries Teach A Method For Building A Sermon?

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 20, 2026

Listen to this professor of homiletics discuss what's been left undone in most pastors' education.

Scripture: John 4:34-38

Tags: Preaching, Seminary, build, dennis prutow, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Is The Power Behind Every Great Preacher's Effort?

By Leslie Holmes on Jun 2, 2023

Without recognizing there is a supernatural power in all truly great preaching, we can produce an empty homiletical exercise.

Tags: Power, Preaching, supernatural, Homiletics, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Great Sermons Leave Out

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 14, 2020

Great sermons are not defined by how much is said, but by what is wisely left out. Clarity, restraint, and respect for listeners matter.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:2, Proverbs 10:19, Matthew 5:37, 1 Corinthians 14:8, Nehemiah 8:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, preaching

Should You Preach Without Notes?

By Rev. Tejado Hanchell on Mar 13, 2024

Preaching without notes is not superior, but for some it can increase freedom and connection. Here is a wise path from manuscript to no notes. Every preacher should have at least one sermon they could preach without notes if called upon at a moment’s notice.

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31, 2 Timothy 4:2, 2 Timothy 2:15, Psalm 119:11, Colossians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, preaching

Are You Guilty Of Pastoral Plagiarism?

By James Emery White on Oct 10, 2020

Borrowing ideas is common in ministry, but passing off another preacher’s words or stories as your own crosses an ethical line. Here’s where that line stands.

Scripture: Exodus 20:15-16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:28, Proverbs 12:22

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism, Homiletics, preaching

10 Tips For Better Preaching Pt.1

By Jim Martin on Apr 13, 2020

Faithful week-in, week-out preaching depends less on clever ideas and more on habits of love, clarity, restraint, identification, and genuine passion. These ten simple practices help preachers serve their congregations with messages that are understood, valued, and taken to heart.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Peter 5:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Homiletics, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is There Good News In Your Sermon?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 12, 2020

When preachers struggle to find a sermon celebration, the issue is often focus. Centering on God’s gospel activity reveals good news worth celebrating.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10, Mark 6:1-13, Romans 8:1-11, Ephesians 2:4-10, 2 Corinthians 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Good News, Homiletics, preaching

Preaching Is More Than Telling The Truth

By Peter Mead on Mar 19, 2024

Effective preaching is not about clever outlines but about proclaiming Christ, explaining Scripture faithfully, and leading hearers toward understanding and transformation.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 17:11, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Nehemiah 8:8, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Truth, Preaching, memory, Outline, Homiletics, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Signs A Sermon Is (Almost) Over

By Jon Acuff on Oct 28, 2020

Ending a sermon is harder than starting one. Clear, intentional conclusions prevent confusion, whiplash, and rushed prayers.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Colossians 4:6, James 1:22, 1 Corinthians 14:40  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, pastor, End, Homiletics, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Learning To Preach In The Youtube Age

By Gregory K. Hollifield on Nov 5, 2020

The Internet has flooded the world with sermons. Used wisely, it can strengthen a preacher’s soul, sharpen skill, and broaden perspective.

Scripture: Romans 10:17, Proverbs 27:17, 2 Corinthians 10:12, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Learning, video, Homiletics, Improve, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Danger Of The Unrelated Point In Preaching

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 2, 2023

A sermon can contain many true statements yet still fail if those truths are disconnected from the text’s main point. Preachers must discipline themselves to maintain clarity and focus.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Proverbs 4:25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Power, Preaching, Homiletics, points, aside, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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)