In Preaching Articles: "Living Word"

Four Foundations Of Handling God's Word

By Ed Stetzer on Aug 12, 2021

LifeWay Research discovered four common factors in good preaching. Are they part of yours?

Tags: God's Word, sufficient, Bible, Preaching, Useful  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Hate The Word Balance

By Lance Witt on May 29, 2023

A life of balance has always seemed like a “pipe dream”, something that just wasn’t realistic or attainable. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had a moment of balance in my entire life. I can’t think of a single moment when every area of my life and ministry were “spinning” smoothly.

Scripture: Mark 10:46

Tags: Pastors, rhythm, emotional health

Words Create Worlds… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Aug 16, 2023

As a leader, your words carry more weight and they have more staying power. Your words get amplified and magnified.

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 16:24, Proverbs 12:25, Matthew 3:17, Proverbs 18:20, Proverbs 25:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Influence, kind words, Blessing Others, Encouraging Others

Words Create Worlds… Part 2

By Lance Witt on Aug 17, 2023

It’s not just what you say, but how you say it.

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1, Philippians 4:5, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 27:5-6, Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 17:28, Proverbs 15:28, Proverbs 19:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: words, Influence, Words do hurt, pastoral leadership

The Word Nobody Likes… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jun 16, 2024

A couple of years ago I had the chance to sit down with a former staff member that had served on my team more than a decade ago. We really hadn’t kept in touch very much. At one point during our lunch the conversation turned more serious. And in a moment of candor he said to me “You know, you weren’t very easy to work for.” The truth is, he was right.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:5-6, Galatians 2:11-13

Tags: unteachable spirit, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership, Humility, leadership, Accountability, Rebuke, Teachable, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Word Nobody Likes… Part 2

By Lance Witt on Dec 4, 2023

One of the reasons the word accountability gets a bad rap is because of the way some people have carried out accountability. Holding people accountable is not using your position as a club to embarrass, humiliate, mistreat, belittle or shame people. Our accountability of people should make those on our team better not bitter.

Scripture: Daniel 6:1

Tags: church ministry, Empowering Others, Effective Leadership, Leadership, leadership, relationships, Accountability, Performance, Feedback, Pastoral Ministry, Humility  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching For Deep Change: Are You Sharing Information Or Changing Lives?

By Ed Stetzer on Jun 23, 2025

Does your preaching give people everything they need to embrace change? Ed Stetzer offers practical suggestions for moving people forward.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:6-9

Tags: preaching, Preaching, Transformation, Forward, deep change  (view more)  (view less)

Why "Just Preach The Gospel” Isn’t Enough

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 1, 2019

Preaching the gospel is essential, but not sufficient on its own. Learn why living the gospel and recognizing our interpretive filters are critical for authentic ministry.

Tags: christian living, preaching the gospel, Christian Living, Preaching the Gospel, Ministry Practice, Sermon Advice, Humble Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching That Transforms Lives—it Can Be Done—8 Ways To Start

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 7, 2023

"It's an issue that leaders and followers alike must wrestle through: How do I live out the spiritual transformation that has occurred in me?"

Scripture: James 1:1-15, Judges 11:1-20

Tags: Preaching, renewal, Transformation, Surrender, diligence, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Do A Bad Word Study

By Nicholas Mcdonald on May 19, 2021

Sometimes it's hard to wade through the muck and know when you're being short-changed.

Tags: Study, Preaching, the word, Dictionary, fallacy  (view more)  (view less)

Has The Word You Preach Changed You?

By Brian Orme on Jul 6, 2025

Before the preacher can persuade any sinner to turn to Christ, he must first be persuaded himself.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Christ, Preaching, Sinner, Persuade, preach, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

A Word From A 2700 Year Old Pastor

By Lance Witt on Apr 15, 2021

Pastors listen to other pastors. We listen to other people in ministry who are down in the trenches doing the hard work of leading others.

Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16

Tags:

The Post-Sermon Bible Test

By Peter Mead on Jan 10, 2024

We preach hoping and praying for the message to mark and transform lives as it is preached. But what about after the sermon is over?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: bible study, preaching, Study, Preaching, the word, BIBLE STUDY, Bible Study  (view more)  (view less)

Not A Fan: The Hard Words Sparked A Church-Wide Revival

By Kyle Idleman on Jan 12, 2025

A preacher’s honest reckoning with crowd-pleasing sermons led to a bold call for true discipleship, sparking repentance, revival, and hundreds of unexpected baptisms.

Scripture: Luke 7:1-8:1, Luke 9:23

Tags: Love, Baptism, Jesus, Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Preaching, Disciples, revival, Church Growth, follower, preaching, church, love, Gospel call, Revival, Gospel Call  (view more)  (view less)

Make Your Sermons Sticky With Just Three Words

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 7, 2021

Could it possibly be just this simple? Karl Vaters offers a startling suggestion.

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28, Exodus 3:1-15

Tags: sticky, karl vaters, preaching, Message, Preaching, How to pray  (view more)  (view less)