In Preaching Articles: "Maximize Usefulness"

One Vital Preaching Skill That Just Can't Be Faked: Do You Have It?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 15, 2025

Brandon Cox challenges us to ask ourselves the tough questions about a core value.

Tags: Preaching, prepare, listener, orator, preaching skill, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Dangers Of Self-Righteousness: Lessons From Luke 18:9-14

By Josh Read on Oct 30, 2025

In today’s world, especially in the age of social media, it’s easy to curate a version of ourselves that looks impressive—sharing successes, opinions, and spiritual highlights while hiding our struggles. But Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:9–14 cuts straight through that façade. It reminds us that self-righteousness doesn’t bring us closer to God, it drives us further from Him.

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23-24, James 4:10

Tags: Mercy, Parable, Prayer, confession, repentance, justification, sanctification, Repentance, Justification, Confession, Sanctification  (view more)  (view less)

Max Lucado On Questions, Suffering, Scripture, And The Heart Of Preaching

By Max Lucado on Jul 27, 2024

"I really believe the purpose of Scripture is to give us this authoritative handbook. We have a place where we can take people when they come to us with questions so we're not just speaking out of our own opinion."

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:16, Luke 5:1-11, John 21:1-19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: BIBLICAL TEACHING, Biblical Teaching

2 Keys For Better Preaching Prep

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Feb 1, 2025

Good preparation that leads to effective preaching begins with letting Scripture examine, speak, and preach to us.

Scripture: Psalm 119:99

Tags: Study, Preaching, preparation, Meditation, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Four Time-Tested Ways To Outline Your Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 31, 2023

Brandon Cox reminds us of proven methods--and supplies a new one of his own.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-10, 1 Samuel 1:11-20, James 3:1-18

Tags: Preaching, Outline, brandon cox, preaching, Time Tested  (view more)  (view less)

Why God Still Works Through Poor Preaching

By Peter Mead on Aug 18, 2021

How God works despite us and our preaching (and we need to be thankful for that!).

Tags: Paul, God, Gospel, Preaching, poor preaching, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is Modern Church Leadership Tilting Toward Bivocational Ministry?

By Hugh Halter on Feb 12, 2024

"The goal of our existence is to learn how to leverage everything God has given us."

Scripture: John 21:15-17, John 21:15-22

Tags: Ministry, Church, bivocational, leverage, mobile, ministry, church  (view more)  (view less)

How To Be Interesting—and Unhelpful

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 15, 2023

John Piper reminds us that preaching has purposes far beyond merely interesting information.

Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-6

Tags: Preaching, Poetry, interest, john piper, unhelpful, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Being A Pastor: Blessing Or Burden? Part 2

By Lance Witt on May 1, 2024

None of us are exempt from the danger of cynicism and turning ministry into nothing more than a job.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2-3, 1 Corinthians 11:1

Tags: Humility, leadership, Authenticity, Unselfish, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Love The Psalms

By Dr. W. Robert Godfrey on Aug 10, 2022

The Psalms teach us how to express our emotions to God in all the circumstances of our lives.

Scripture: Psalm 23:1, Psalm 56:8

Tags: Psalms, Emotions, suffering, Intimacy With God, soul care, Psalms of David  (view more)  (view less)

A Modest Proposal: Less Sermon Prep In Favor Of More Time Making Disciples?

By Bill Couchenour on Sep 6, 2021

Is it possible to reach the U.S. for Jesus in less than a decade by cutting sermon prep time in half?

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-28

Tags: Jesus, Outreach, Preaching, Disciples, sermon prep, Sermon Prep  (view more)  (view less)

Ask Yourself: 20 Great Questions Before You Preach

By Bob Hostetler on May 29, 2023

Bob Hostetler has applied this list to himself for years. What can you use from it?

Tags: Preaching, introspection, Speaking, questions, preaching, speaking  (view more)  (view less)

The Bible Works!

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 8, 2025

Phil Strout: "Everyone has an opinion. And guess what? So does God, and he's communicated it to us."

Tags: Bible, Word of God, Opinion, communicate, phil strout, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Have You Preached The Five Blessings That Flow From Thanksgiving?

By J. John on Nov 28, 2025

A British pastor reminds us, "Thanksgiving is more than an American holiday; it's a Godly holiday, as well."

Scripture: Matthew 25:26-27, Titus 2:1-10

Tags: Thanksgiving, Preaching, gratitude, focus, five blessings, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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)