In Preaching Articles: "Mysterious Ways"

13 Benefits Of Putting An Expiration Date On New Ministries In Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 11, 2024

Here's a great way open your church up to innovative new ideas by minimizing the risk – or at least the sting – of failure.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Framing Thanksgiving

By Mark Looyenga on Nov 13, 2024

Again and again in Scripture, biblical characters experience contentment amidst struggle or difficulty in ways that go beyond just circumstance.

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28, Ruth 1:16-17, Psalm 63:1-8, Philippians 4:11, James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6, Matthew 26:53, Matthew 27:14, Romans 12:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Thanksgiving, Contentment, gratitude, Perspective, perspective  (view more)  (view less)

John Piper's Journey From Pulpit To Poetry

By SermonCentral .com on May 23, 2023

"I was so moved that the desire to say it again another way kept urging me on. So I wrote this."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14, Proverbs 31:10-31

Tags: Faith, Love, Jesus, Healing, Preaching, e, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You Preach, I'll Doodle

By Thom Turner on Nov 3, 2020

People have different learning styles. But does that mean you have to change the way you preach to reach them all?

Tags: Learning, Psychology, Effectiveness, Versatile

Do We Need A broader Definition Of Church Growth?

By Karl Vaters on Oct 12, 2023

Any definition of church growth that doesn’t allow for, even celebrate, churches that contribute in non-numerical ways is incomplete.

Tags: Church Growth, priorities, pastoral leadership, First Things First, Right Values  (view more)  (view less)

Backyard Bbq Evangelism: A New, True Parable Of Outside-The-Church-Walls Ministry

By Karl Vaters on Sep 28, 2022

"Don't force people to do ministry your way. Help them with the ministry they're already passionate about."

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Spiritual Gifts, Body of Christ, evangelism, Innovation, evangelism barriers, reaching the lost, evangelism planning, Conversational Evangelism, Unique Gifts  (view more)  (view less)

4 Audiences You Need To Know When Preaching

By Mark Gomez on Sep 22, 2020

Pastor Mark Gomez shares the way he sees his audience: "Suddenly, there is a much broader audience than we first believed."

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-18

Tags:

Confronting Idols, Making Disciples

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 21, 2023

Chris Wright suggests that the way we do church may actually prop up idolatry in the church. Are there any idols in your church?

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-10

Tags: Idol, Discipleship, Disciples, Confront, chris wright  (view more)  (view less)

Journey In The Dark

By Peter Mead on Jan 13, 2022

God delights to transform lives. There are many ways to depict this journey of transformation, but let’s focus on one example from the Old Testament.

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3, Psalm 130:1-8

Tags: Psalms, Transformation, transformed life, Christian Maturity

Weaving Gospel Fluency Into Every Sunday Message

By Jeff Vanderstelt on Nov 20, 2022

If we are going to grow people up into Christlikeness in every way, we need to learn how to speak the truths of Jesus Christ into everything.

Scripture: Luke 24:44-45

Tags: preaching Christ, guard the truth, Gospel centered, Teach His Word, church leadership, teaching, Teaching, pastoral leadership, defending the gospel  (view more)  (view less)

How To Survive The Monday Preaching Hangover

By Brian Croft on Jan 5, 2026

Mondays are tough for pastors after preaching. Learn four practical ways to recover from the “preaching hangover” and start your week with clarity and grace.

Tags: Pastoral Self Care, Preaching Recovery, Ministry Burnout, Weekly Rhythms, Encouragement for Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Training Lay Preachers? You Should!

By Chris Surber on Jan 23, 2024

When we neglect to develop and maintain active lay ministry in the life of the local church, our churches miss out in at least five ways.

Scripture: Proverbs 17:17

Tags:

Forget Seminaries: What Are You Doing To Train The Next Generation Of Preachers?

By Chris Surber on Aug 15, 2025

We have a lot of people genuinely called, sincerely gifted people who struggle to find their way past the gatekeepers in our churches and denominations.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-5, Mark 5:24-34

Tags: Discipleship, Gift, Seminary, Next Generation

Should We Try To Please Our Listeners? How Much?

By Peter Mead on Sep 17, 2025

If listeners aren't satisfied, it could be a good sign, or it could be a bad sign. In the same way, happy listeners may mean something is wrong.

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, please, listener, Feedback, criticism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Rick Warren's Advice For Stronger Sermon Points

By Rick Warren on Jan 13, 2026

What you learned in seminary isn't the only way to develop great sermons. Rick Warren offers practical advice based on years of experience.

Scripture: Hebrews 2:3, Jeremiah 31:31-34

Tags: Preaching, Strong, Assignment, Rick Warren, sermon points, preaching  (view more)  (view less)