In Preaching Articles: "People Pleasing"

Five Steps To Respond To A Hurtful And Hateful Email

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 6, 2022

“You have no business being the pastor of our church. All you are interested in is getting your own way and changing all the good things we have going. People are saying you should be fired. I agree with them.”

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1

Tags: Perseverance, leadership, conflict, Criticism, loving people, pastoral leadership, church ministry, Difficult People, Facing Controversy, criticism, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preach The Surprising Connection Between Christmas And Repentance

By David J. Lose on Dec 21, 2025

Instead of demanding repentance, what if you invited people into it?

Scripture: John 3:1-3, Matthew 3:1-2

Tags: Repentance, preaching, Advent, Preaching, repentance, Inviting People  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Grow Your Church's Congregation

By Ricardo Hernandez on Apr 16, 2023

Dwindling church attendance is a concern faced by almost every established or newly-created church and should be strategically addressed. Here are five simple approaches that will make your church more inviting for your existing members and help attract new ones.

Tags: Community, Church, Church Members, members, Connect, Young people, social media, community, church members, connect, young people, church  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching: Teaching People The Way They Actually Learn

By Wayne Cordeiro on Mar 14, 2025

Effective teaching isn’t just knowing your message; it’s knowing how people learn. Adjusting to generational learning styles strengthens how truth is received and lived out.

Tags: Discipleship

The Future Of The Church Depends On Developing Deep People

By Ray Hollenbach on May 7, 2020

Gordon MacDonald argues that preaching and programs cannot secure a church’s future. Only intentional disciple-making and leadership development can.

Scripture: Mark 3:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:5, Ephesians 4:11-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Renewal, Leadership, leadership, training

Why Jesus Called People To Big Challenges

By James Scott on Jun 22, 2021

Jesus did not invite people to small improvements but to radical discipleship. Faithful preaching should challenge believers with the same bold call.

Scripture: Matthew 5:20, Matthew 19:21, Luke 9:23, Luke 9:60, Matthew 28:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, obedience, challenge, Follow, following Christ, Obedience, Following Christ  (view more)  (view less)

When The Message Ends, Where Are People Focused?

By Peter Mead on Jul 27, 2025

Where are people looking as they leave? If we're not careful, they will walk out with gaze firmly fixed on self.

Tags: Message, Preaching, Self, focus, listener, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preacher: Tell Your People What They Are!

By Lane Sebring on May 14, 2025

Great leaders set high expectations and truly believe their church is capable of meeting them.

Scripture: Romans 8:28-31

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Seven Key Reasons People Choose A Church

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 9, 2022

Why did you choose to come to this church?

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47

Tags: Church, Children, Volunteerism, good sermon, church  (view more)  (view less)

Communicating With Confidence When People Distrust Pastors

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 19, 2024

This article is the fifth of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, pastor, Holiness, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching, holiness, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Thanksgiving Without Guilt

By David J. Lose on Nov 17, 2025

Thanksgiving sermons often default to moral commands about gratitude. Luke 17 offers a better approach: teach people to notice grace.

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 103:2, Colossians 3:15-17, Hebrews 6:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: people, Preaching, Thanks, gratitude, Thanksgiving Holiday, preaching, Gratitude  (view more)  (view less)

Why Faith Empowers Ordinary People For Extraordinary Works

By Miles Mcpherson on May 19, 2020

God equips every believer for good works, yet many never act because they doubt what He’s already given them. Help your church stop striving and start believing.

Scripture: John 1:50, John 15:16-17, John 14:12, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Empowerment

Does Your Preaching Prepare People For God's Kingdom?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 29, 2025

We often fall into the trap of preaching designed to merely provide tools to become more successful in this present world rather than becoming ambassadors of the coming Kingdom.

Tags: Preaching, prepare, Confront, God's Kingdom, gospel, preaching, Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Preach To Real People Or Straw Men?

By Chris Surber on Nov 7, 2024

Preaching in the abstract means missing real lives and real people. Here are four ways to connect to real people.

Tags: Sensitive, real people, straw men, preaching, Holy Spirit, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Pulpit Is Not A Magical Place, Even If Some People Think It Is

By Nathan Aaseng on Mar 10, 2024

"The Word is not magic, but it has power ... great power to bring God's love and grace into the world."

Tags: Power, Preaching, pulpit, Magic, grace, preaching, Grace  (view more)  (view less)