In Preaching Articles: "Narrative Theology"

The Whisper That Made Me Leave My Church

By Tod Bolsinger on Sep 10, 2021

I would hear that line echoed in my mind long after each conversation was over: "Why didn't seminary prepare me for this?"

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-25

Tags: Preaching, prepare, Theology, Seminary, curriculum  (view more)  (view less)

Pastors: The Ceo Has To Go

By Derek Vreeland on Aug 24, 2023

I feel the impulse to forsake the pastoral vocation of word and sacrament, prayer and disciple-making, in favor of becoming a CEO who gets things done.

Tags: liturgy, Theology, church and business, consumerism

Why Do Christians Love The Law?

By Rev. Burk Parsons on Jun 22, 2022

Why would anyone love the law of God?

Scripture: Matthew 28:20, Romans 7:22, Matthew 5:17, Psalm 119:72

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, God's Law, obedience of faith

Cut Off Your Hand, Tear Out Your Eye

By Ray Ortlund on Aug 3, 2022

Hard words are not harmful words—when they come from Jesus. The real Jesus loves us enough to accept us freely and confront us honestly.

Scripture: Colossians 2:23, Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 13:21, Matthew 5:6, Titus 2:11-12, Hebrews 12:4, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Matthew 5:29-30  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, soul care, Hard Teaching

God’s Sovereignty And Glory

By Derek Thomas on Jun 30, 2022

God's sovereignty is a central pillar of Christian belief and the clear teaching of Scripture. But what does it mean?

Scripture: Proverbs 16:33, Genesis 6:6-7, 2 Timothy 2:13, Genesis 1:1, Romans 9:20-21, Matthew 28:19, Romans 13:3, 1 Peter 2:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Sovereignty, Theology, Human Responsibility, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Pursue Feelings. Pursue Christ.

By Joe Thorn on Jul 12, 2022

One danger is emotionalism, in which we allow our feelings to interpret our circumstances and form our thoughts about God. This is putting feelings before faith. The other danger is a kind of stoicism, where faith is rooted in theology but void of affection. This tendency removes feelings from faith altogether. While it is true that our emotions should not lead our theology, it is vital to our faith that theology lead to a deep experience of our triune God.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Psalm 34:18, Romans 8:15, Psalm 34:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Emotions, Theology, Stoicism, Feelings, Doctrine to Doxology  (view more)  (view less)

Isn’t Hell An Overreaction To Sin?

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 28, 2022

"Ask yourself, do you deserve the wrath of God forever? If your mind right now is saying, “I don’t think so. I think that hell would be an overreaction to what I’ve done and the kind of person that I am.” If that’s the way your mind is working right now, let me just have you consider four things."

Scripture: Ephesians 3:10, James 2:10

Tags: God's Wrath, Theology, Biblical truth, God's justice, sin against God, Sound Doctrine, consequences of sin, Theology of Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Preacher: Know The "Other Side" Well

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 20, 2023

Pretty much everything you preach on has at least one challenge to it, not even just from culture but also from within Christian theology.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Culture, Theology, communication, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ways We Go Wrong In Thinking About The Holy Spirit

By Dr. Michael Horton on Jun 1, 2021

Who exactly is the mysterious third person of the Trinity? Why does he seem to possess less reality than the Father and the Son? Perhaps we think of the Holy Spirit as a divine force or energy that we can “plug into” for spiritual power. Or as the kinder and gentler—more intimate—side of God. But a person—in fact, a distinct person of the Godhead?

Scripture: Luke 24:25, John 5:39, John 15:26, John 16:15

Tags: Holy Spirit, trinity, Theology, Spirit of God, wrong understanding  (view more)  (view less)

Dig Deeper

By Peter Mead on May 9, 2022

Perhaps the hardest thing to know is what you don’t know.

Tags: Christ, BIBLE STUDY, Learning, Theology, Bible Study, bible study  (view more)  (view less)

Memorial Day Is Not A Slam-Dunk For Preachers: Here's Why

By Kevin Deyoung on May 14, 2020

Kevin DeYoung: "Many churches could stand to think more carefully about their theology of God and country."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Is Your Preaching God-Centered?

By Bernie Van Eyk on Sep 11, 2024

Our preaching is a reflection of our theology. If the Word is theocentric (God-centered), how can our preaching be anything other than theocentric?

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:4

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Three Pillars Of A Strong, Dynamic Ministry

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 10, 2023

Brandon Cox: "When it comes to leading a strong ministry and building a healthy church, it takes more than solid theology or smart strategy."

Tags: Ministry, strategy, strength, Power of God, Pillar, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching God-Centered?

By Bernie Van Eyk on May 26, 2021

"Therapy has replaced theology in much contemporary preaching. The self has acquired center stage, and God, if He is there at all, has been marginalized."

Tags: God, Preaching, focus, Center

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