In Preaching Articles: "Maximize Usefulness"

5 Questions That Reveal Your Leadership Strengths

By Charles Stone on Mar 22, 2023

When we discover, develop, and deploy our strengths and gifts, we maximize our Kingdom impact and experience the greatest joy.

Scripture: John 19:28-29

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Should Pastors Use Other People’s Sermons?

By Ron Forseth on Sep 2, 2024

Is using another preacher’s sermon always wrong? This article examines plagiarism, conscience, diligence, and trust to offer a biblical framework for sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 14:22-23, 1 Corinthians 10:29, James 3:1, Luke 12:48  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preparation, Speech, theft, Plagiarism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Should Pastors Address Marijuana Use From The Pulpit?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 1, 2023

Changing cultural attitudes toward marijuana raise new questions for pastors. Many younger Christians no longer view recreational use as sinful, creating a growing pastoral challenge.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 10:23, Galatians 5:22-23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith

Jesus Prayed For Us: The Power Of The High Priestly Prayer

By David J. Lose on Sep 15, 2022

In John 17 Jesus prays for His disciples and for all future believers. This prayer reminds the church that we are loved, supported, and called to unity.

Scripture: John 17:6-26, John 14:26, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, Philippians 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Prayer, Partner, high priestly prayer, preaching, High Priestly Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Present The Unchanging Message, But Use Ever-Changing Methods

By Todd Wagner on Feb 12, 2024

God's "piano" has 66 keys, but it can be used to play all types of music.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:22-25

Tags: Message, Gospel, Unchanging, Method, God's Image, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Are Your Illustrations Fresh? Use This 9-Point Checklist

By Peter Mead on Oct 17, 2025

Every illustration should "let the light in." Do yours?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Bold Preaching: The Surprising Connection Between Amos And Us

By Nathan Aaseng on Jan 13, 2026

This article challenges preachers to reflect on whether they resemble Amos or the court prophets, and urges courage in proclaiming hard truths from God’s Word.

Tags: Preaching, Prophetic Preaching, preaching, Church and Culture, Courage in Ministry, Preaching Challenges  (view more)  (view less)

Using Illustrations For Maximum Impact: 4 Essential Notes

By Lane Sebring on Feb 18, 2026

A good illustration will reach out and grab your listeners and pull them into your content. It will make them care. But How?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

6 Preaching Methods Jesus Used That You Should, Too

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 12, 2025

If there is anyone we should emulate in our preaching, it's Jesus!

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Repetition, Object Lesson, methods, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Brian Williams Has To Teach Us About Preaching

By Rob Pochek on Nov 14, 2021

Pastor Rob Pochek details four solid lessons we can draw from current events. Image source: David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Tags: Lesson, Preaching, current events, brian williams, nbc nightly news, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Should I Use Bible Software In My Sermon Prep?

By Jonathan J. Watson on Jul 3, 2023

Is software (and technology in general) a help or a hindrance? Considering I’m typing this on a laptop, and many of you will read it on your smartphones, it’s obvious that technology is an integral part of our lives. But should we use it when preparing sermons? And does it have any additional impact on my life?

Tags: Technology, sermon prep, bible software, Sermon Prep, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Instagram Generation: Four Ways Smartphone Cameras Are Changing Us

By Tony Reinke on Jun 2, 2022

A spectacular waterfall exposed me to how my smartphone habits are getting passed to my kids.

Scripture: Hebrews 6:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Philippians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 4:16, Romans 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Technology, Bad Habits, Next Generation, social media, Cell Phone, Sharenting  (view more)  (view less)

4 Things We Wish People Knew About Us As Pastors

By Lane Sebring on Nov 5, 2019

Being a pastor is unlike just about any other profession. Because of the holistic nature of the work, we tend to take on "pastor" as an identity and not just a career.

Scripture: John 12:32, John 12:29-36

Tags: Preaching, pastor, identity, Profession

Why We Preach: The Call That Won’t Let Us Go

By Leslie Holmes on May 3, 2020

Seminary is long, ministry is hard, and preaching can feel thankless. Yet pastors continue because God’s call compels them in ways nothing else can.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16, Hebrews 12:2, Romans 10:14-15, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why Illustrations Matter In Preaching: Learning From Jesus’ Use Of Parables

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 14, 2024

Parables and illustrations bring preaching to life. These seven tests help pastors use stories wisely to clarify truth, reduce resistance, and make sermons memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 13:34, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Psalm 78:2, Luke 8:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Expository Preaching, expository preaching