In Preaching Articles: "Listening To God"

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

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: spiritual health, preaching, believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation  (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: central point, preaching, Preaching, Content, Logic, Research  (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, Criticism, please, listener, Feedback, criticism, preaching  (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: Listening, future generations, Generations, Millenial

The Secret To God’s Power In Your Life And Preaching - Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jun 11, 2023

Do you mistake fruitfulness for holiness? Sit with those words a moment. What does that look like practically? And how have you seen this in your life and in the lives of other leaders?

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The Secret To God’s Power In Your Life And Preaching - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Jun 12, 2023

If you read last week’s article you know that we talked about holiness not just being a legalistic set of rules. True holiness always starts with relationship. And the highest motive for keeping ourselves pure is our love for God, not the fear of consequences.

Scripture: Acts 20:35

Tags:

Mark Dever: Do Your Listeners Feel The Full Offense Of The Gospel?

By Mark Dever on Dec 7, 2018

Here's why the pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church isn't interested in being cool.

Scripture: Psalm 119:11

Tags: Preaching, cool, mark dever, phillip jensen

People Listen In Different Ways—can You Reach All Of Them?

By Leslie Holmes on Feb 27, 2023

You're preaching to one congregation, filled with many listening styles. How can you connect with every individual?

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:1-15

Tags: Preaching, reflection, Listen, reach, application, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Connect With Your Listeners: 7 Strategies To Make Your Preaching Relevant

By Peter Mead on Jul 4, 2021

The Bible is relevant. We don't need to "make it relevant," but we do need to demonstrate how it is relevant.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Preaching

Clear Preaching: Getting Authority Right

By Peter Mead on Aug 6, 2021

Do you give your listeners confidence in the clarity of God's Word?

Tags: Preaching

Thanksgiving And The Will Of God: A Preacher's Guide

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 21, 2021

Thanksgiving sermons can sometimes sound like such a scolding, but guilt is a terrible motivation for giving thanks.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Tags: Thanksgiving, Thanks, motivation, guilt

Preaching God's Dangerous Truth

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jun 16, 2020

We love to preach the Good News, but it doesn't reach its full potential until it challenges us to dream big.

Scripture: Luke 2:10

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Is Your Preaching God-Centered?

By Bernie Van Eyk on Sep 10, 2024

Our preaching is a reflection of our theology. If the Word is theocentric (God-centered), how can our preaching be anything other than theocentric?

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:4

Tags: Preaching, preaching