In Preaching Articles: "Hope In Christ"

Addressing Sexual And Domestic Violence In The Church

By John Mcclure on May 24, 2020

Sexual and domestic violence sits silently in every congregation. Pastors must preach hope to survivors, clarity to perpetrators, and courage to bystanders.

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-21, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 1:17, Ephesians 5:11, Luke 4:18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Justice, affliction

8 Must-Have Elements Of Your Easter Sermon

By Josh Reich on Dec 10, 2024

Easter preaching should not be an annual performance but the weekly pattern of faithful proclamation that points to Jesus, offers hope, and calls for clear response.

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:23-31, Luke 24:1-12, Romans 1:16, John 11:25, Colossians 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Easter, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

7 Ways To Help New Staff Members Succeed

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 22, 2022

Getting a new person started in a good way is probably equal to finding the right people – especially if we hope to keep them.

Tags: leadership, staff, church staffing, good start, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

In Defense Of The "Ordinary” Preacher?

By Michael Duduit on Sep 27, 2020

In a culture captivated by charisma and spectacle, the steady, text-driven, ordinary preacher remains essential to the long-term health of Christ’s church.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Corinthians 1:27, Isaiah 55:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ordinary Means Of Grace

5 Reasons Why I Love Preaching The Prophets

By Peter Mead on Sep 9, 2024

The prophets are bold, unsettling, and hope-filled. Preaching from them brings clarity, urgency, and relevance to a church living in familiar spiritual conditions.

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-5, Isaiah 53:1-6, Daniel 1:1-7, Habakkuk 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Eugene Peterson On The Dignity Of Local Pastoring

By Eugene Peterson on Jul 13, 2021

"I grew up in a culture that was very entertainment-centered. Pastors were really good storytellers, and they were attractive people, glamorous." –Eugene Peterson

Scripture: John 3:16, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 2 Corinthians 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth, Preaching, Growth in Christ, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

4 Angles To Preach From Every Time

By Brandon Kelley on Dec 13, 2021

It is not enough to simply preach what the passage of Scripture says within your next sermon. It’s a good start, but don’t stop there. You’ll stop short of something truly beautiful, truly remarkable.

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Tags: redemption, God the Father, preaching the Word, eternal perspective, preaching Christ  (view more)  (view less)

6 Ways To Grow In The Gospels

By William Boekestein on Apr 26, 2021

A number of years ago I was about to preach for the first time in a certain church. As I arranged my papers and books I noticed a sign near the top of the pulpit. It was a quotation from John 12:21: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

Scripture: Mark 9:7, Mark 15:1-15, Matthew 27:3, Mark 6:34, Acts 26:22-23, John 12:21, Matthew 14:20, Hebrews 12:2, John 11:15, Luke 24:44-45, Hebrews 1:1, Jeremiah 8:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Biblical, preaching Christ, Preaching Gospels, Rakahanga gospel day  (view more)  (view less)

It's All About The Groom

By Lance Witt on Apr 11, 2024

In a healthy church Jesus is the most famous person. He gets the most airtime, he is the most talked about, and he is clearly center stage.

Scripture: Revelation 19:7, John 3:29, Song of Songs 8:1-4

Tags: Church Health, Pastoral Character, fixing eyes on Jesus, Christ Centered

Dig Deeper

By Peter Mead on May 8, 2022

Perhaps the hardest thing to know is what you don’t know.

Tags: Christ, BIBLE STUDY, Learning, Theology, Bible Study, bible study  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Real Gospel Change In A World Obsessed With Self-Improvement

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 6, 2025

True transformation is not moral effort but new life in Christ. Preachers must translate “change” into gospel terms, clarifying how God recreates, reshapes, and renews His people.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Change, Transformation, counsel, Christian growth, new life in Christ, Spiritual Transformation, preaching, church, Christian Growth, New Life In Christ  (view more)  (view less)

2 Rules For Transparency In The Pulpit

By Brady Boyd on Feb 20, 2025

Pastors should be honest, but honesty must be wise. True vulnerability builds hope, not confusion, and protects both the flock and loved ones from harm.

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Tags: Preaching, Honesty, Authenticity, Struggles, Transparency, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Have We Been Preaching The Wrong Message From Revelation?

By Ed Cyzewski on Aug 8, 2025

This misunderstood book offers us a message of hope that the darkness of today will one day relent when God's all-powerful light will restore creation.

Tags: Revelation, Preaching, wrong, Meaning, Context, preaching, context  (view more)  (view less)

8 Easy Ways To Plan Now For New Vbs Families To Stick

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 7, 2021

In my experience, churches put on a stellar VBS and just hope that the fourth goal of retaining new families from the community will take care of itself.

Tags: Outreach, Unchurched, VBS, families, relational leaders  (view more)  (view less)

How To Worship In Times Of Sorrow

By Paul Baloche on Feb 10, 2021

Some of the hardest yet most inspiring times of worship occur during funerals. The raw emotions of sadness and loss are mixed with a sense of hope and eternal perspective.

Scripture: Psalm 42:5-6

Tags: Worship, Joy, Funeral, Sorrow