In Preaching Articles: "Powerful Preaching"

4 Ways We Go Wrong In Thinking About The Holy Spirit

By Dr. Michael Horton on May 31, 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)

How Can The Pew Help The Pulpit?

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Mar 6, 2024

Good preaching is a partnership between pastor and congregation, pulpit and pew, the one who preaches and the one who listens.

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Congregation, Encourage, Partnership, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Overcome Nerves Before You Preach

By Lane Sebring on Nov 17, 2019

She took my hand, which was freezing cold, leaned over and whispered, "Are you nervous? Your hand is freezing." I nodded, "Yep."

Scripture: Mark 14:1-25, Mark 14:1-31, Psalm 51:10-13, Ezekiel 36:26-33, Ezekiel 36:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: passion, energy, nerves, preaching, Preaching, Overcome  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Without A Net: Delivering Sermons Without Notes

By Bruce Salmon on Mar 2, 2025

A pastor describes how a forgotten outline pushed him onto the “high wire” of preaching without notes and how that risk opened new freedom, focus, and trust in God.

Tags: Church, Preaching, worry, manuscript, Homiletics, Pastoral Ministry, Expository Preaching, Sermon Delivery, Worry, preaching, church, expository preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preaching Still Matters In A Postmodern Age Of Uncertainty

By Kenton C. Anderson on Jan 19, 2025

Preaching may seem arrogant in an age that distrusts certainty, yet God’s self-revelation turns human limitation into a vantage point for truthful witness.

Scripture: Leviticus 5:2-6

Tags: Revelation, Teaching, Preaching, pastor, Pride, Arrogance, Pastor, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Max Lucado on Jul 26, 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

Study: What Preachers Won't Preach About

By Toni Ridgaway on Mar 27, 2020

Over half of pastors avoid certain topics for fear of losing attendees. This report raises hard questions about courage, clarity, and faithfulness in preaching.

Scripture: Acts 20:17-32

Tags: Preaching, preaching, Biblical Faithfulness

4 Ways To Keep Your Evangelistic Edge In Preaching

By J. John on Apr 1, 2020

Evangelistic preaching flows from a heart on fire for the lost. Be yourself, be prayerful, be clear, and be practical so the gospel connects and bears fruit.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Isaiah 6:9-10, Matthew 13:13-15, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, evangelism, Evangelism Training

3 Ways I Overcome My Fear Of Preaching

By Greg Stier on Jun 15, 2020

Preachers get nervous. Paul did too! These three practices transform fear into fuel by driving you to study harder, pray deeper, and preach like it’s your last time.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7-9, 1 Corinthians 2:3, Matthew 22:35-40, Ephesians 6:19, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Spiritual Dependence

Can You Preach What You Struggle With?

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 4, 2025

Pastors often preach on areas where they still struggle. Honesty, humility, and commitment to the whole counsel of God make such preaching both faithful and effective.

Scripture: Acts 20:27, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 1 Timothy 4:16, Hebrews 4:15-16, Romans 7:18-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, preaching, teaching, Life Experience, Whole Counsel of God  (view more)  (view less)

5 Easy (And Overlooked) Keys To Better Preaching

By Erik Raymond on Sep 29, 2021

"I have never met a preacher who did not want to increase the effectiveness of his sermon. The question is where to start?"

Scripture: Acts 1:1-21, Acts 15:6-19, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 2:42  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Plan, Preaching, preparation, Engage, Outline, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Reasons Why I Love Preaching The Prophets

By Peter Mead on Sep 9, 2024

The prophets are bold, unsettling, and hope-filled. Preaching from them brings clarity, urgency, and relevance to a church living in familiar spiritual conditions.

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-5, Isaiah 53:1-6, Daniel 1:1-7, Habakkuk 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

5 Reasons Why I Love Preaching Psalms

By Peter Mead on Sep 12, 2024

The Psalms offer preachers complete texts, emotional honesty, rich imagery, and enduring relevance that connects Scripture deeply to lived faith.

Tags: Preaching, Biblical Worship, preaching

Why We Must Preach Christ From The Psalms

By Jason Hood on Oct 7, 2024

Luther, Spurgeon, and Bonhoeffer saw Jesus as one of the chief subjects of the Psalms. Do you?

Scripture: Psalm 41:1-3, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Praise, Adoration, Meekness, church fathers

Preaching Without Notes: Four Must-Have Skills

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 12, 2021

Preaching without notes requires discipline, clarity, and structure. Without a clear gospel claim, sermons drift and leave listeners with nothing to remember.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:8-9, Habakkuk 2:2, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Communication, preparation, communication