In Preaching Articles: "Listening To God"

Listen To Your Message Before You Preach It

By Mark Mohler on Apr 16, 2020

Sermons are not made for paper; they are made for people. We should listen before we preach.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, preparation, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Great Sermons Also Include Listening

By Ryan Huguley on May 30, 2025

Preaching is not only about the preacher delivering the message but also about the congregation listening well. Scripture calls believers to receive the Word with prayer, humility, and expectation.

Scripture: Luke 16:17, James 1:21-22, Hebrews 4:12, Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Great, BIBLICAL TEACHING, preaching, Biblical Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Onramps To Connect Listeners To Your Sermons And Scripture

By Ed Stetzer on Feb 22, 2022

This article is the last of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Culture, sermon prep, sermon, Sermon Prep, Sermon, preaching, teaching, culture, culture shifts, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

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

What Listeners Really Wish They Could Tell Their Pastor

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jun 13, 2021

A speaker recalls blunt feedback from a child to show how honest listener frustrations can shape better preaching—especially length, self-focus, and dryness.

Scripture: John 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 9:16

Tags: Communication, leadership, Preaching, Church Health, Feedback, Leadership, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Listen To Your Sermon Just Before You Preach

By Mark Mohler on Dec 3, 2024

Sermons are not made for paper--they're made for the human ear. Have you tried listening to yours?

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-2

Tags: Listen, Creativity, call to action, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Keep Teenagers Listening To Your Sermons

By Brandon Hilgemann on Feb 6, 2026

Engaging the short attention span of teenagers (and even adults!) isn't easy.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Don’t Try And Improve On God’s Methods

By Ray Ortlund on Apr 22, 2024

True awakening or revival is a glorious season in the life of the church when for His glory alone, God causes the ordinary means of His grace to make an extraordinary impact on many people.

Scripture: Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:27-30, Isaiah 1:15, Luke 19:9-10, John 3:8, Matthew 11:28-30, Acts 2:47  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Prayer, revival, Church revival, spiritual awakening, grace  (view more)  (view less)

Shepherd God’s Flock: Our Job As Pastors

By Chris Pascarella on Sep 19, 2022

As pastors, we’re called to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:2). In fact, God holds us accountable for our shepherding (Hebrews 13:17). But what does it look like to shepherd?

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2

Tags: Shepherd, strategy, Eldership, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, shepherding, Shepherding  (view more)  (view less)

You're Preaching, But Do You Know Who's Listening?

By Mike Miller on Jan 17, 2023

Good preachers must develop the extra skill of "congregational exegesis."

Tags: Congregation, audience, preaching, Preaching, Listen  (view more)  (view less)

4 Remarkable Discoveries From 263 Interviews About Sermons

By Ron Allen on Oct 3, 2021

It seems like a no-brainer, yet preachers rarely seek direct input from listeners about how we might improve our preaching.

Scripture: Philippians 1:5-10

Tags: Preaching, challenge, point of view, listener

I Can’t Figure Out Millennials: 3 Reasons To Stay Connected

By Steven A. Hitz on Mar 15, 2022

There is a growing disconnect with Millennials because of the stereotypes many people hold about them.

Tags: Millenial, Listening, future generations, Generations

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

If You Overpack Your Sermon, Your Listeners Are In For A Bumpy Ride

By Chris Surber on Aug 29, 2025

Perhaps your sermon outline is actually a sermon series. Can you tell the difference?

Scripture: Acts 5:15-25

Tags: Research, central point, preaching, Preaching, Content, Logic  (view more)  (view less)

Should We Try To Please Our Listeners? How Much?

By Peter Mead on Sep 17, 2025

If listeners aren't satisfied, it could be a good sign, or it could be a bad sign. In the same way, happy listeners may mean something is wrong.

Tags: preaching, Preaching, Criticism, please, listener, Feedback, criticism  (view more)  (view less)