In Preaching Articles: "Mature Faith"

The Double-Edged Sword Of Ambition

By Lance Witt on Jul 9, 2024

Ambition is a blessing and a curse. When it is God-directed and Spirit-managed, it can bear tremendous fruit. But when it is hijacked by self and ego, it can leave a wake of destruction in its path.

Tags: Faithfulness, motivation, Ambition, Rest in Christ, pastoral leadership, personal holiness, entering God's rest, ministry vision  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Willing To Be Hated For Preaching The Gospel?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 12, 2020

Faithful gospel preaching requires courage. Christians are not called to be hateful, but they must be willing to be hated for Christ’s sake.

Scripture: John 15:18, Mark 13:13, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, Galatians 1:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Persecution, Gospel, Preaching, suffering, Hatred, hatred, gospel, preaching, Suffering  (view more)  (view less)

Preach Like A Blade, Not An Anvil

By Peter Mead on Sep 15, 2024

Some sermons overwhelm without penetrating. Faithful preaching carries the weight of Scripture but delivers it with the sharp focus of a blade.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, Jeremiah 23:29, Ecclesiastes 12:11, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, living word, Sword, Impact, anvil, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

9 Lies Pastors Believe While They’re Preaching

By Ben Reed on Sep 6, 2020

Pastors battle pride, insecurity, and distraction in the pulpit. Here are nine common lies and a call back to humility and faithfulness.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Galatians 1:10, James 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Have You Half-Quit Preaching?

By Peter Mead on May 1, 2025

Preaching brings constant pressure and subtle temptations to disengage. Faithfulness requires resisting the half-quit and leaning into Christ.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 3:12, Jeremiah 20:9, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, quit, Spiritual Discipline, preaching

3 Reasons Pastors Don't Connect With Millennials

By Tyler Braun on Sep 9, 2020

Millennial faith is declining, but blame is not the answer. Real change begins with relationships, honesty about doubt, and personal engagement.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Matthew 11:3, Mark 3:14, John 13:35, Jude 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Youth, Preaching, Relevant, church culture, preaching, Church Culture  (view more)  (view less)

Crafting Strong Sermons Requires Polish

By Terry Linhart on Nov 8, 2024

Some sermon checkpoints to buff a nice luster on your work and to ensure you're responsible and faithful in the process.

Tags: Preaching, practice, Organize, revise, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Keep Preaching The Second Coming

By Calvin Miller on Aug 4, 2020

Speculation has failed again and again, but the second coming of Christ remains central to Christian hope, readiness, and faithful living.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:4-6, Matthew 24:36, Acts 1:6-8, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, 2 Peter 3:11-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Eschatology, preaching

Why Pastors Must Become Excellent Motivators

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 30, 2020

Faithful preaching does more than inform minds. It connects truth to life and calls people to Spirit-empowered action.

Scripture: James 1:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 12:1-2, Acts 2:37-38

Tags: Preaching, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth

Preach To The People In Front Of You

By James Scott on Sep 8, 2020

Faithful preaching serves the congregation you have, not the crowd you imagine. Shepherd the flock before you with clarity and love.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 3:6, Luke 16:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, great commission, preaching, Great Commission

"All Things Work Together For Good” — 3 Things You Never Noticed About Romans 8:28

By Lori Hatcher on Jun 13, 2024

"Here are three things about this popular verse you may never have noticed."

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Scripture, redemption, teach, Sound Teaching, all things work for good, Meditate on the Word, guard the truth, faith and obedience  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Try To Be Successful, Try To Do Good Work

By Karl Vaters on Jul 3, 2024

A minister with a well-nourished soul may or may not have a big church, but they’ll always have a healthy ministry.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-11, 1 Corinthians 4:2

Tags: leadership, Faithfulness, Good Works, pastoral leadership, success in ministry, church leadership, measuring success, serving faithfully, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

What Makes A Preacher

By Ben Mandrell on Jul 22, 2024

What makes a faithful preacher? Ben Mandrell offers a helpful list of six examples to encourage preachers to stay true to their calling.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Preaching, training, preaching

Just What Is Pulpit Plagiarism?

By Ron Forseth on Dec 31, 2023

A thoughtful look at plagiarism, quotation, and citation in preaching, showing how conscience, diligence, and trust shape ethical and faithful sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 10:29

Tags: Preaching, Character, Integrity, Honesty, Plagiarism, Homiletics, Pastoral Integrity, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation, Sermon Plagiarism, Preaching Ethics  (view more)  (view less)

10 Preaching Questions With Ray Ortlund Jr.

By Colin Adams on Feb 21, 2025

Ray Ortlund reflects on preaching’s centrality, the weight of the pulpit, and the spiritual realities that shape a faithful, believable, Christ-exalting ministry.

Scripture: Romans 10:14

Tags: Homiletics