In Preaching Articles: "Last Sermon"

Finish Your Sermon Strong: 10 Mistakes To Avoid

By Peter Mead on Jul 19, 2024

Weak endings undo strong sermons. Learn the most common conclusion mistakes and how to land your message with clarity, confidence, and spiritual impact.

Scripture: John 19:28

Tags: Preaching, hermeneutics, Leadership General, preaching, Hermeneutics, Sermon Craft  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Avoid Indecent Exposure In The Pulpit

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 14, 2025

Sermon illustrations can clarify truth or distract from it. Here are ten principles to help preachers use personal stories with wisdom and restraint.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5, Proverbs 11:13, James 3:1, Ephesians 4:29, 1 Corinthians 10:31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Exposure, preaching, Pulpit, Sermon Illustrations, Preaching, pulpit, Modesty  (view more)  (view less)

Rick Warren's Advice For Stronger Sermon Points

By Rick Warren on Jan 13, 2026

What you learned in seminary isn't the only way to develop great sermons. Rick Warren offers practical advice based on years of experience.

Scripture: Hebrews 2:3, Jeremiah 31:31-34

Tags: Preaching, Strong, Assignment, Rick Warren, sermon points, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ideas For Creativity In Series Planning

By Peter Mead on Jun 27, 2023

I believe in preaching series through books of the Bible. I do it. I teach others to do it. But I think we could all do with some extra creativity when it comes to planning a series.

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:4

Tags: Bible, Preaching, preaching the Word, sermon series, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

The 10 Commandments Of Preaching

By Tyler Scarlett on Feb 8, 2025

Preachers make mistakes, but some errors do lasting harm. These ten “commandments” outline the habits and convictions that guard faithful, compelling, Christ-centered preaching.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:21, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 1 Timothy 3:15

Tags: Commandments, Preaching, church leadership, BIBLICAL TEACHING, Expository Preaching, preaching, expository preaching, Church Leadership, Biblical Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preaching Grace Empowers Real Obedience

By Ron Forseth on Jun 6, 2025

Some pastors fear that emphasizing grace will weaken holiness. In reality, biblical grace empowers obedience, motivates generosity, and leads believers toward lasting transformation.

Scripture: Romans 3:5-8, John 1:14, Romans 6:1-2, Galatians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Preaching, Gospel Preaching, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, sermon preparation, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Can I Better Study A Bible Passage?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 27, 2022

“Think over what I say,” commands the Lord. How can a faithful student of the Bible do this without leaning on commentaries and scholars?

Scripture: Romans 1:15-17, 2 Timothy 2:7

Tags: Bible, Scripture, BIBLE STUDY, Bible Study, sermon prep, Study Scripture, Study Techniques, Feast on the Word, Sermon Prep, bible study, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Sermon Feedback: 6 Questions For Better Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jul 20, 2024

Clear, simple sermon-feedback questions help preachers grow. These six practical prompts reveal clarity, engagement, biblical accuracy, and delivery strengths.

Scripture: Acts 8:25

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, experience, Improvement, evaluation, Homiletics, Communication Skills, WORDS THAT KILL, Pastoral Ministry, Communication skills, improvement, criticism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Craft Sermon Openers That Grab Attention

By Tyler Scarlett on Feb 27, 2025

A wandering introduction loses listeners before the sermon even begins. Strong, simple, and compelling first sentences draw people in and prepare them to hear God’s Word.

Scripture: Titus 2:2, Titus 2:1-2, Philippians 4:10-15, Romans 13:11-14

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

1,000 Sermons Will Change Your Life

By Trevin Wax on Mar 26, 2020

Pastors, don’t underestimate the cumulative effect of your preaching. You are not dumping information into brains. You are forming the habits of your people, teaching them how to read and understand and apply the Bible for themselves.

Tags: New life, church leadership, Church Leadership

6 Reasons To Preach The Same Sermon Twice

By Joe Mckeever on Apr 23, 2020

Many pastors avoid repeating sermons, but revisiting them can deepen impact, sharpen insight, and better serve a changing congregation. Here’s why repeats matter.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Matthew 13:1-23, Galatians 6:6, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, 2 Corinthians 4:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Expository Teaching

How To Evaluate A Sermon Using The Preach Framework

By Rev. Tejado Hanchell on Oct 3, 2020

Was it truly a great sermon? Use the PREACH rubric to evaluate preaching effectiveness through punctuality, relevance, exegesis, appearance, clarity, and conviction.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:11, Proverbs 25:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Leadership, Excellence, church leadership

A Christmas Sermon 1,700 Years Old

By Brian Orme on Dec 17, 2024

Seventeen centuries ago, Gregory of Nazianzus preached Christmas as cosmic upheaval, divine condescension, and joyful trembling. His sermon still instructs our worship.

Scripture: Psalm 96:1, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:14, Psalm 2:11

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, ancient, preaching, Gregory Of Nazianzus  (view more)  (view less)

When To Throw Away Your Sermon Notes

By Ted Smith on Nov 13, 2020

Preaching without notes is not inherently more spiritual than preaching from a manuscript. Wisdom, not romanticism, should govern the choice.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discernment, Preaching, neglect, habit, preaching, Notes  (view more)  (view less)