In Preaching Articles: "Must Read"

The Five Kinds Of Churches That Must Change Or Die

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 15, 2023

Okay, I have some tough news for you who are members or leaders of about 100,000 churches in America. Change or die.

Tags: Change, Church Growth, Reality, Dying Church

One Pastor's View: Which Bible Translations Should You Read?

By Clay Smith on Jul 17, 2021

Here's how one pastor answers a commonly-asked question. How would you answer?

Tags: Bible, Holy Spirit, Guide, translation, Bible Influence, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Why People Don't Read The Bible And 5 Steps To Change It

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 5, 2019

Hal Seed would like to see a Bible reading revolution in his city. Would you?

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The Lord’s Prayer, A Missional Reading: Give Us Daily Bread

By Dr. Nijay Gupta on Apr 8, 2021

The “missional theology” movement has injected energy and life into the church. Who isn’t inspired when reading Emil Brunner’s famous words, “The church exists by mission as a fire exists by burning”? Missional theology has motivated many Christians and churches to seek out their purpose in God of bearing and embodying the good news of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Exodus 16:1-36, John 6:1-71, Matthew 4:1-25

Tags: Humility, Lord's Prayer, Missional, walk by faith

8 Must-Have Elements Of Your Easter Sermon

By Josh Reich on Dec 11, 2024

Eternities and lives hang in the balance--here's a checklist to keep you grounded for this very important sermon.

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:23-31, Luke 24:1-12

Tags: Easter Resurrection, preaching, Easter, Preaching, Easter Good Friday  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Without Notes: Four Must-Have Skills

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 13, 2021

Sherman Cox: "Sermons with or without notes should eliminate irrelevant asides. By irrelevant, I mean that they are not connected to your sermon’s main point."

Tags: Preaching, preparation, note

10 Must-Have Tips For Giving A Public Invitation

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 17, 2023

Every preacher needs these practical insights if he/she plans to offer a time of response after the sermons.

Tags: Preaching, Invitation, public, Speaking, preaching, speaking  (view more)  (view less)

3 Must-Do’s Of A Strong Sermon Opening

By Lane Sebring on Aug 30, 2019

The first 90 seconds of your sermon are some of the most powerful seconds you have. Don’t waste them.

Tags: Preaching

One Question You Must Never Ask In Ministry

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 7, 2023

Disciples of Jesus Christ must never try to calculate the cost/benefit of some act of ministry.

Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24, Luke 18:8, Ecclesiastes 11:6

Tags: Faithfulness, Leadership General, questions, measuring success

Preacher's Block: 8 Sure-Fire Ways To Beat It

By Peter Mead on Feb 28, 2019

Time ticks by and Sunday's deadline keeps approaching. What should you do if you feel stuck?

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:25-35, Ezekiel 16:39-40, Ezekiel 16:49-50

Tags: Read, Preaching, confess, writing, writer's block  (view more)  (view less)

Change Your Sermon By Changing Your Spices

By Erik Raymond on May 19, 2023

Are you constantly mining the same sources for your sermon illustrations?

Scripture: Psalm 38:1-10, Colossians 4:1-5

Tags: Spices, Classic, preaching, Read, Preaching, Devotional  (view more)  (view less)

How Do We (Or Should We) Motivate Our People To Read The Bible?

By Peter Mead on Oct 4, 2019

"We should be concerned when there is a lack of motivation for God's Word--both in our own lives and in those we care about."

Tags: Accountability, motivate, read Bible, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Slow Down! And Connect Your Preaching To Lectio Divina

By C. Christopher Smith on Nov 1, 2019

If we re-cast preaching as a kind of "slow reading," we might lead our congregations into deeper engagement with the biblical text--and with one another.

Scripture: Luke 23:45-46, Psalm 1:1-6

Tags: lectio divina, slow reading, Preaching, exegesis

5 Must-Know Facts About First-Time Visitors

By Rick Ezell on Nov 3, 2021

You may be the most skilled preacher and your church may have excellent small groups or the best children’s ministry in the city, but your first-time guests will never know unless they make a second or third visit.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, Luke 15:20-24

Tags: Grace, guest, Celebrate, Preaching, Hospitality, Visitors, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Must-Ask Questions For Your Next Sermon Series

By John Percival on Sep 15, 2020

Powerful questions to ask yourself during the sermon preparation process.

Tags: Preaching, preparation, preaching