In Preaching Articles: "Kind Words"

Sticks And Stones Part 2

By Lance Witt on Oct 17, 2023

Pound for pound, nothing is as powerful as your tongue. As pastors, we count on God to use our tongues as His instrument. In last week’s article, we talked about using our words to bless and speak life into others. This week I want to add 2 additional strategies for the wise use of words.

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 17:28, Psalm 19:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, leadership, godly speech, POWER OF WORDS, Leadership, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Was Jesus Numerically Challenged?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 29, 2020

Do numbers alone tell the story of success? What kind of numbers caught Jesus' attention?

Tags: Growth, Preaching, number, Growth in Christ

How To Preach On Death Row (Or Other Unfamiliar Settings)

By Joe Mckeever on Feb 14, 2020

Sooner or later, every minister faces this kind of fearsome opportunity. (Wonderful nightmare? Scary blessing?)

Tags: Preaching

God Works In Mysterious Ways—through Your Sermon!

By Danny Macmunn on Aug 27, 2021

Sometimes even the messenger is surprised at what the people hear.

Scripture: Mark 15:1-18, 2 Timothy 2:1-15

Tags: inspired by god, preaching, Scripture, Preaching, Word of God, mysterious ways  (view more)  (view less)

4 Angles To Preach From Every Time

By Brandon Kelley on Dec 14, 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)

Seven Deadly Statements Of Church Members

By Thom Rainer on Oct 13, 2022

"Words have meaning. And if church members start articulating words consistently, those words begin to reflect the priorities and passions of the church."

Tags: conflict, relationships, Church worship, pastoral leadership, church membership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, shepherding, Shepherding  (view more)  (view less)

The Post-Sermon Bible Test

By Peter Mead on Jan 11, 2024

We preach hoping and praying for the message to mark and transform lives as it is preached. But what about after the sermon is over?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: bible study, preaching, Study, Preaching, the word, BIBLE STUDY, Bible Study  (view more)  (view less)

3 Positive Ways To Respond To Negative Criticism

By Joe Hoagland on Feb 26, 2021

Some criticism is unequivocally bad criticism. It is destructive, not based 100% in truth, and is based in bad intentions. Prepare yourself for this kind of criticism.

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, criticism, preaching

Lord, Search My Heart

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 4, 2022

Micah 6:8 exposes me: I can love abstract ideas of justice and kindness, and neglect their concrete expression. It admonishes me: I cannot “do justice” or “love kindness” without loving real people. It humbles me, which is just what the Doctor ordered, if I’m really ready to walk with him.

Scripture: Psalm 139:23, Micah 6:8

Tags: Humility, reflection, repentance, Conviction, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Slow Down! And Connect Your Preaching To Lectio Divina

By C. Christopher Smith on Nov 1, 2019

If we re-cast preaching as a kind of "slow reading," we might lead our congregations into deeper engagement with the biblical text--and with one another.

Scripture: Luke 23:45-46, Psalm 1:1-6

Tags: lectio divina, slow reading, Preaching, exegesis

Alan Hirsch: The Great Commission Isn't Just About Evangelism

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 25, 2023

Alan Hirsch's shocking observation might just influence the way you preach in the coming year.

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Influence, great commission, Last Words of Jesus, alan hirsch, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Ten Passages For Preachers To Memorize Cold

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 24, 2021

What passages do you have at your fingertips, word-for-word? What passages would you add to this list?

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Tags: memory, memorization, memorize, Pastor, Scripture, pastor  (view more)  (view less)

94 Servant Evangelism Ideas For Your Church

By Steve Sjogren on Apr 8, 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)

Cut Off Your Hand, Tear Out Your Eye

By Ray Ortlund on Aug 3, 2022

Hard words are not harmful words—when they come from Jesus. The real Jesus loves us enough to accept us freely and confront us honestly.

Scripture: Colossians 2:23, Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 13:21, Matthew 5:6, Titus 2:11-12, Hebrews 12:4, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Matthew 5:29-30  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, soul care, Hard Teaching

The Three Most Common Sentences Of Dying Churches

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 31, 2022

If churches could speak, what would their words be on their deathbeds?

Tags: God's Power, pastoral care, stagnant, Dying Church