In Preaching Articles: "Maximize Usefulness"

The Criticism I Hated—but Made Me A Better Preacher

By Joe Hoagland on Dec 27, 2019

None of us appreciate unsolicited, mean-spirited criticism, but we do need to hear people out.

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How To Preserve Your Creative Energy

By Peter Mead on Jul 21, 2020

Most of us have a limited tank of energy when it comes to creative flair. Don’t waste it.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:6-8

Tags: Preaching

Bad Theological Analogies, Brought To You By St. Patrick

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 16, 2021

The problem with using analogies to explain the Holy Trinity is that you always end up confessing some ancient heresy.

Scripture: John 5:1-16

Tags: Preaching, Theology, analogy, St Patrick

10 Ways To Preach About Lust—and Get To The Real Issues

By Jared Moore on Nov 23, 2024

There's only one way to solve this: Get to the root of the problem. Jared Moore shows us how.

Tags: Marriage, Lust, Intimacy, sexual immorality, sexual desire  (view more)  (view less)

A Good Sermon Feels Like A Good Story: 7 Minutes With Fred Craddock

By Fred Craddock on Nov 13, 2019

Fred Craddock literally wrote the book on preaching. He reminds us, "Movement is more important than structure."

Tags: Preaching, structure, Movement, Fred Craddock

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

4 Relationship Fences That Will Help You Preach Better

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 14, 2022

Each week, the most important time for all of us who preach or teach for a living is our preparation time.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26, Romans 12:10-11, Romans 12:16

Tags: Preaching, relationships, preaching the Word, Family Relationships, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Church Growth And The Work Of God

By Josh Reich on Oct 6, 2023

We know that God is the one who makes a church grow, that it isn’t on us. This is both a comfort and a problem.

Tags: Communication, vision, Discipleship, Church Growth, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Two Keys To Flourishing In The Digital Age

By Tony Reinke on May 24, 2022

We all seem to sense that — for good or bad — our smartphones are changing us, our habits, and our relationships.

Scripture: Matthew 22:40, John 6:35, Luke 14:33, Luke 10:27, Matthew 13:44, Luke 10:1-25, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 73:25-26, Philippians 3:8, Matthew 10:37  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Technology, Love Others, Love God

3 Ways To Defeat Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Dec 11, 2023

Discouragement comes with the territory for ministry leaders. Unmet goals, putting out fires, staff issues, displeasing people, and general tiredness all contribute to discouragement. When it weighs us down, how can we dig out? The life of the prophet Elijah gives us hope.

Tags: Perseverance, leadership, Discouragement, Depression, Elijah's faith, Pastoral Ministry, Elijah's Depression, Fighting for Joy, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Make Your Preaching More Practical And Relevant

By Rick Ezell on Jan 31, 2025

Use these methods to practically reach people suffering from real hurts, problems, doubts, fears, and anxieties gnawing at their faith.

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34, Romans 10:4

Tags: Preaching, Culture, Self, Relevance, audience, application, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)

4 Reasons Not To Give An Altar Call

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Aug 12, 2024

There is a place for a properly given altar call, but we must maintain a correct understanding of how, when, and where to use one.

Tags: Preaching, altar, Invitation, preaching

Sex, Marriage, And Fairy Tales

By Jefferson Bethke on Dec 16, 2023

This creative spoken-word poetry provides a powerful statement about God's purpose for marriage--to make us holy.

Tags: Marriage, Preaching, preaching

Good Friday: 4 Preaching Points To Remember

By Ray Hollenbach on Apr 6, 2020

We want to embrace the resurrection, but Good Friday is an opportunity to remind your people that Jesus calls us to the Cross, too.

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-25

Tags: Good Friday, Preaching, help, Why Jesus Died, Why Jesus Bled, Why People Lie, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How I Preach From An Ipad

By Jeremy Roberts on Oct 19, 2020

Technology meets preparation. Pastor Jeremy Roberts shows how he uses everyone's favorite toy in the service of preaching.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-21, Ephesians 5:1

Tags: Light, Preaching, walk, submit, imitator  (view more)  (view less)