In Preaching Articles: "Joy In Christ"

The Overlooked, Underrated, Desperately Needed Virtue Of Curiosity

By Brandon Cox on Oct 2, 2023

Curiosity is the art of knowing that we don’t know, and discovering more about God, about people, about ourselves, and about the amazing world around us.

Tags: intimacy with Christ, Love, Curiosity, Creativity

What Are The Internal Scripts Driving You? Part 2

By Lance Witt on Oct 9, 2023

For many Christians shame isn’t about a sordid past or dark skeletons in our closet. We live with a low-grade nagging feeling that we are never “enough”.

Tags: Shame, beloved, Performance, Identity in Christ

3 Ways To Defeat Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Dec 10, 2023

Discouragement comes with the territory for ministry leaders. Unmet goals, putting out fires, staff issues, displeasing people, and general tiredness all contribute to discouragement. When it weighs us down, how can we dig out? The life of the prophet Elijah gives us hope.

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, Elijah's Depression, Fighting for Joy, Leadership, Perseverance, leadership, Discouragement, Depression, Elijah's faith  (view more)  (view less)

12 Reasons Why Church Membership Matters

By Jonathan Leeman on Feb 28, 2025

Jonathan Leeman: "Membership is the church’s affirmation that you are a citizen of Christ’s kingdom and therefore a card-carrying Jesus Representative before the nations."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:20

Tags: Preaching, Membership, preaching

We All Need Adversity And Affliction

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 22, 2022

I would not exchange any of my discipline-afflictions for anything. In fact, I have made it a habit to keep asking God to discipline me. This isn’t because I love affliction, but because the hope in God I’ve tasted in the promises of God I’ve trusted in the darkest days are the sweetest things my soul has ever known.

Scripture: Psalm 119:71-72, Hebrews 12:11

Tags: Spiritual Maturity, Christian Maturity, joy in trials, spiritual immaturity, fruit of sorrow, Adversity, sanctification, Hardship of Life  (view more)  (view less)

How Fred Craddock Found His Preaching Voice

By Fred Craddock on May 26, 2023

Dr. Craddock describes his voice as "the wind whistling through a splinter on a post." Here's how this master preacher learned to compensate.

Scripture: Mark 5:1-12, Mark 7:1-23

Tags: Christ, Worship, Preaching, Demoniac, swine, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Multisite Myths (And Realities)

By Jim Egli on Nov 1, 2020

Some preachers resist the idea of multiple sites. But what if technology increases your effectiveness?

Tags: Growth in Christ, Church, Growth, Missions, Multisite  (view more)  (view less)

Finding God In The Ambiguity

By Jonathan Martin on May 16, 2021

God is bigger than our tiny little systems of certainty. He is revealed to us in Jesus of Nazareth, who is real enough to touch us in our own ambiguity.

Tags: Jesus, God, Jesus Christ, Certain, ambiguity  (view more)  (view less)

Has The Word You Preach Changed You?

By Brian Orme on Jul 6, 2025

Before the preacher can persuade any sinner to turn to Christ, he must first be persuaded himself.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Christ, Preaching, Sinner, Persuade, preach, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

15 Sermon Starters For Your Easter Message

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 1, 2021

Let these great thoughts prime the pump for your Easter sermon. Start with great words and develop them uniquely for your congregation.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, John 10:1-18, John 20:1-30, Acts 2:1

Tags: Easter, Message, Preaching, Jesus Christ, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Growth Is Harder In A Small Church – And Change Is Essential

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 29, 2021

Big churches find it much easier to incorporate new people because the bigger the crowd, the smaller the impact each person has.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:19-20

Tags: Change, Visitors, Small Church, Christ in us

What Are 10 Things That Might Help A Pastor And His Wife Stay Married And In Ministry?

By Brian Croft on Aug 24, 2023

Marriage is hard enough, but add ministry into the mix and you have a recipe for a potential mess.

Tags: Marriage, Rest, intimacy with Christ, pastor's wife

Does Your Soul Have A Backbone?

By Lance Witt on Aug 6, 2023

Over the last few years my single most consistent prayer has been for spiritual courage.

Tags: suffering, Courage, People pleasing, intimacy with Christ

A Risk Worth Taking

By Leigh Ann Carey Looyenga on Apr 9, 2024

Are you tired? Worn down by the pace of life and ministry? Do you feel like the abundant life may not be for ministry leaders?

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-2, Deuteronomy 5:6

Tags: Sunday, Sabbath, relationships, Rest, intimacy with Christ  (view more)  (view less)

How Does A Pastor Fight Through The Preaching Hangover

By Brian Croft on Sep 5, 2023

You may call it something different, but every pastor knows about it. It is the mental, emotional, and spiritual crash that takes place the next day (Monday) as a result of pouring your heart and soul out in the proclamation of God’s word to God’s people the day before.

Tags: Preaching, Silence, Rest, intimacy with Christ, preaching  (view more)  (view less)