In Preaching Articles: "Know Your Audience"

10 Ways To Half-Bake Your Sermon: Part 2

By Peter Mead on Aug 13, 2024

Preaching suffers when structure is imposed, cross-references take over, application is neglected, or commentary replaces proclamation. Let the text lead.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Jeremiah 23:29, Luke 24:32, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Preaching, Text, preparation, Homiletics, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

What Do Your People Want To Hear From The Pulpit?

By Ron Allen on Sep 13, 2020

Research with 263 churchgoers reveals what listeners truly want from sermons: biblical depth, real-life connection, and courage on hard issues.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Nehemiah 8:8, James 1:22, Acts 20:27, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

What Do People Actually Remember From Your Sermon?

By Safiyah Fosua on Jan 19, 2024

Listeners forget most of what we preach. Discover three qualities that make sermons stick: fresh perspective, human depth, and deep rooting in Scripture.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Luke 15:11-32, John 4:1-26, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Preaching, application, preaching, Application

11 Mistakes That Take Your Preaching Focus Off Jesus

By Jared Moore on May 7, 2023

God-centered preaching helps hearers focus on the glory of God. These common preaching mistakes distract from Scripture and keep listeners from seeing Christ.

Scripture: Luke 24:27, John 5:39, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, mistakes, focus, preaching, God centered, God Centered  (view more)  (view less)

If You Mix The Matters, Your Preaching Won't Matter

By Peter Mead on May 31, 2023

Four aspects of preaching sound the same, but they are radically different. Do you mix them up?

Tags: Preaching, Difference, focus, matter, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The One Law You Must Be Sure To Include In Your Preaching

By David J. Lose on Jul 1, 2021

When to insist on law and when to suspend it? For whom? Will things fall apart if we get it wrong?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Luke 13:10-16

Tags: Grace, Law, Preaching, Good News, grace  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Preaching Make A Difference? Eight Transformational Keystones

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 2, 2021

Our preaching should make a difference. But where and how? Here are some critical markers.

Tags: Transformation

Ten Strategic Insights Into Shaping Your Next Sermon Series

By Herbert Cooper on Jan 27, 2023

Herbert Cooper, senior pastor of People's Church in Oklahoma City, shares strategic insights into making a sermon series work.

Tags:

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 22, 2025

Beyond the weekly phrase, "Good word, Preacher," the spiritual lives of the people in your church provide excellent feedback regarding the effectiveness of your preaching.

Tags: believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation, spiritual health, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

20 Mother's Day Quotes To Warm Up Your Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on May 7, 2021

Insight, warmth--and humor--to use when you preach for this special occasion.

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-24

Tags: Preaching, mother's day, Motherhood, Quotes

Do You Have The Courage To Tear Your Sermon In Half?

By John Mcclure on Oct 28, 2024

Overcome slow starts by taking a knife to your opening!

Tags: Preaching, advice, rehash, cutting room, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Preaching Proclaim Jesus As Lord, Or Simply Savior?

By Dustin Leimgruber on Sep 14, 2022

Check out the modern parable of the Runaway Bride.

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Tags: Savior, Parable, Preaching, Explanation, runaway bride, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Tests Of Plagiarism: Do Your Sermons Pass Them?

By Ron Forseth on Feb 24, 2023

"Should we use someone else's sermon?" I would say that in many, many cases, the answer can legitimately be "Yes."

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism, Quotes, citation, e, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Thom Rainer: 3 Reasons Your People Are Spiritually Stuck

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 28, 2024

"When we lead our people in the process of transformation, we need to orient them to the reality of the war within them."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Tags: Preaching, Transformation, Envy, striving, Spiritual exercise, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Shake Up Your Christmas Messages: 7 New Approaches

By Peter Mead on Dec 23, 2025

You might be getting excited, or dreading another Christmas and the need to generate more messages when the obvious options feel well worn. Here are some other angles to consider.

Scripture: Philippians 2:6-11

Tags: Theme, Preaching, obvious, prophecies, preaching  (view more)  (view less)