In Preaching Articles: "Listening To God"

What Really Makes A Spiritual Leader?

By Bob Hamp on Apr 5, 2023

Spiritual leadership is not defined by position or productivity, but by transformation, presence, and the ability to lead others into real encounters with God.

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45, John 15:4-5, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Thessalonians 2:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Power, leadership, Counselor, Leadership, Christian Formation  (view more)  (view less)

When Preaching Becomes An Idol

By Erik Raymond on Apr 25, 2025

Preaching is a gift of God, but when elevated above shepherding, evangelism, and discipleship, it can quietly harm the church.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4, John 10:14, 2 Timothy 4:5, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 2:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

3 Marks Of The Spirit’s Guidance In Preaching

By Ron Forseth on Dec 10, 2021

Transforming power in preaching is found only in God himself. How can you tell if the Spirit is present?

Tags: Holy Spirit, Guide, Preaching, preaching

Is Your Church Stuck Or Just Small?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 11, 2025

If your church is healthy, quit stressing about getting bigger. God may not be calling you to bigness.

Scripture: Acts 1:1-15

Tags: Growth, Church Growth, Healthy Church, effective, Small Church  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Important Word In The Bible?

By Lance Witt on Jul 21, 2023

In your opinion, what is the most important word in the Bible? And you can’t say God or Jesus.

Scripture: Luke 7:50, Exodus 33:12-23

Tags: Glory

It's A Wonderful Time To Be A Christian

By Garrett Kell on Apr 20, 2022

Christians are uniquely equipped to thrive in tumultuous times, not because we are great, but because our God is.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:14, 1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 7:12, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Corinthians 5:16-20, Ephesians 4:1-3, John 17:20-21, John 15:20, Luke 12:40, Mark 14:38, Romans 13:11, Matthew 24:14, Psalm 73:2-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Reconciliation, authentic Christian, Purified, unreached peoples

These Six Questions Reveal How Well You Are Engaged In Your Neighborhood

By Karina Kreminski on Jun 3, 2024

"What does it look like to keep ourselves accountable to joining with God on his mission in our neighborhood?"

Tags: Outreach, neighborhood, reaching the lost, community outreach, Inviting others, open to others, Reaching out, Loving the lost  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Be Yourself

By Greg Morse on Dec 8, 2022

Don’t be yourself. Be something higher. Be who God predestined you to be. Be who you are in Jesus.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8

Tags: Character, Born Again, sanctification, new creation, Personal Growth, Becoming like Christ, Abide in Christ, personal holiness, Born Again  (view more)  (view less)

Memorial Day Is Not A Slam-Dunk For Preachers: Here's Why

By Kevin Deyoung on May 14, 2020

Kevin DeYoung: "Many churches could stand to think more carefully about their theology of God and country."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Pride Comes Before A Bad Sermon

By Tim Raymond on Feb 23, 2026

By all means, do your best in the preparation and delivery of your messages, but leave the results entirely up to God.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18, James 5:17, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Galatians 6:2

Tags: Preaching, encouragement, Pride, preaching, Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Ed Stetzer: no Word, No Kingdom

By Ed Stetzer on Jul 15, 2021

Jesus’ parable of the sower reveals that the kingdom of God begins not with strategy but with seed. The Word alone produces lasting fruit.

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-8, Matthew 13:19, 1 Peter 1:23, James 1:21, 1 Peter 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, the word, seed, Parables of Jesus, preaching, Parables Of Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things Every Pastor Should Have In Check Before Sunday

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Oct 27, 2025

We may pray that God would hide us behind the cross as we preach. But there is no place to hide in the pulpit.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Tags: Preaching, preaching

One Critical Conviction

By Peter Mead on Apr 29, 2021

A preaching ministry is built on a whole set of convictions. Convictions about God, the Gospel, about people, about ministry.

Tags: Communication, Bible Influence, Bible Relevance, reading the bible, communication  (view more)  (view less)

5 Problems With Top-Down Vision Casting And A New Testament Alternative

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 7, 2022

Acts 2 does not give us a picture of Peter hearing from God in private, then coming to the disciples with the vision.

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2, Proverbs 29:18, Acts 2:14

Tags: vision, empower, pastoral leadership, dreams and visions

Three Probing Questions Every Pastor Should Ask Himself

By Charles Stone on Sep 14, 2023

Take a few moments and ask yourself these questions to see what God reveals about your heart and motives.

Tags: Faithfulness, identity, Identity in Christ, motives