In Preaching Articles: "Inspire"

Does The Pulpit Need Orators Or Prophets?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 18, 2023

We've all seen preachers who think that they can get away with oratorical talent rather than Spirit-led inspiration.

Tags: Prophet, Preaching, Talent, john the baptist, orator, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preach The 'shoulds' And Not 'the Shouldn'ts'

By Joe Hoagland on Feb 9, 2026

Jesus is not just about getting rid of a bunch of behaviors but it is also about living out positive actions inspired by the grace and love of Jesus.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

From Information To Transformation: Preaching That Changes Lives

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 16, 2020

Great preaching goes beyond inspiration and information. Transformative sermons call both preacher and congregation into present-tense obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: John 10:10, 1 Corinthians 2:4, John 16:8, 1 Timothy 4:16, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: God, leadership, Preaching, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Story Preaching Works

By Peter Mead on Apr 11, 2025

Biblical stories were inspired in both content and form. When preachers honor the narrative shape, tension, and pacing, the Word lands with clarity, power, and conviction.

Scripture: John 12:21-34

Tags:

Hal Seed: Who Decided What Went Into The Bible?

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 3, 2021

Many people wonder how the books of the Bible were chosen. The early church did not invent the canon but recognized the writings God had already inspired.

Scripture: Luke 24:44, Colossians 4:16, 1 Timothy 5:18, 2 Peter 3:15-16, Ephesians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, History, bible truth, Hal Seed, canon, Bible Truth, bible  (view more)  (view less)

How To Worship In Times Of Sorrow

By Paul Baloche on Feb 11, 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

It’s Time To Get Mean About The Vision God Has Given You

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 1, 2021

Your church is in desperate need of a vision that is informed by God’s Word, inspired by God’s Spirit, and applied passionately and broken-heartedly to your local context.

Tags: Amen

7 Marks Of Great Preaching

By David J. Lose on Feb 4, 2025

Great preaching is more than speaking well—it engages Scripture, proclaims Christ, connects to real life, inspires imagination, and sends God’s people into the world.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Preaching, Prayer, BIBLE STUDY, father's will, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, gospel proclamation, biblical preaching, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, sermon preparation, Biblical Preaching, Gospel Proclamation, Effective Communication  (view more)  (view less)

Are You A Preacher Or A Motivational Speaker?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jan 7, 2023

Many sermons sound inspiring yet leave out the cross and the coming kingdom. When preaching mimics self-help, it loses the gospel’s power and eternal focus.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Luke 9:23, Galatians 6:14, Matthew 6:19-21

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

Why Good Sermons Can Be Boring

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 14, 2025

You brought a sermon you knew beyond a doubt was from the Lord and inspired of God.Halfway through, you could sense the congregation’s minds wandering. How could this happen?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Doing Ministry Without Losing Your Soul Part 1

By Lance Witt on May 13, 2024

"There is nothing worse than trying to inspire people to be passionate about God when you have little or no passion yourself. There is nothing more empty feeling than trying to connect people to God when you feel disconnected from God."

Tags: pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, soul care, avoiding burnout, church ministry, Growing in Faith, Christ's Love for Us, Healthy Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

What To Do When You Bombed Sunday's Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 2, 2021

It’s not hard to get up and say something inspirational. It is hard to get up and rightly divide God’s Word, build a bridge from an ancient culture to our own, and then to call people to an appropriate response to God’s revealed truth consistently week after week.

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

The Lord’s Prayer, A Missional Reading: Give Us Daily Bread

By Dr. Nijay Gupta on Apr 8, 2021

The “missional theology” movement has injected energy and life into the church. Who isn’t inspired when reading Emil Brunner’s famous words, “The church exists by mission as a fire exists by burning”? Missional theology has motivated many Christians and churches to seek out their purpose in God of bearing and embodying the good news of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Exodus 16:1-36, John 6:1-71, Matthew 4:1-25

Tags: Humility, Lord's Prayer, Missional, walk by faith