In Preaching Articles: "Preacher Games"

How Long Should A Sermon Be?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 10, 2020

There is no universal sermon length. What matters most is clarity, focus, and the preacher’s ability to hold attention around one central point.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 14:8, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Communication, Preaching, preparation, Homiletics, Time, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Not A Fan: The Hard Words Sparked A Church-Wide Revival

By Kyle Idleman on Jan 12, 2025

A preacher’s honest reckoning with crowd-pleasing sermons led to a bold call for true discipleship, sparking repentance, revival, and hundreds of unexpected baptisms.

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Love, Baptism, Jesus, Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Preaching, Disciples, revival, Church Growth, follower, preaching, church, love, Gospel call, Revival, Gospel Call  (view more)  (view less)

Why Illustrations Make Preaching Unforgettable

By Dr. Larry Moyer on May 21, 2020

Illustrations turn speakers into communicators. They clarify truth, reveal the preacher’s understanding, awaken attention, and help listeners see biblical realities clearly.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, John 6:44, Matthew 13:34, Proverbs 25:11, Psalm 78:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, illustration, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Should Pastors Use Other People’s Sermons?

By Ron Forseth on Sep 2, 2024

Is using another preacher’s sermon always wrong? This article examines plagiarism, conscience, diligence, and trust to offer a biblical framework for sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 14:22-23, 1 Corinthians 10:29, James 3:1, Luke 12:48  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preparation, Speech, theft, Plagiarism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Distracts You While You're Preaching?

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 5, 2021

For preachers, distractions are a way of life, but they are no less annoying.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-15

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Distract

How Much Is Preaching Worth?

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 14, 2023

Everyone should be in on this conversation: preachers, deacons and listeners.

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Tags: Decision, conversation, Preaching, Worth, trouble, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Guilty Of Pastoral Plagiarism?

By James Emery White on Oct 9, 2020

Borrowing ideas is common in ministry, but passing off another preacher’s words or stories as your own crosses an ethical line. Here’s where that line stands.

Scripture: Exodus 20:15-16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:28, Proverbs 12:22

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism, Homiletics, preaching

How Long Should A Sermon Be?

By Brian Orme on May 21, 2021

Pastors often wrestle with sermon length, but there is no universal rule. The most faithful approach considers the congregation, the preacher’s maturity, and the goal of feeding people without overwhelming them.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 20:7-9, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, length, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

4 Preaching Myths That Undermine Sermon Preparation

By Brian Orme on Jan 26, 2024

Wrong assumptions about sermon preparation can quietly shape a preacher’s mindset. Recognizing common myths helps pastors prepare messages with greater clarity, freedom, and faithfulness.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:12, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Proverbs 15:22, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hurt, Preaching, myth, hinder, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Is God's Truth Shining Through Your Personality

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 14, 2021

Sermons are not delivered irrespective of the preacher. We are part of the message as well.

Tags: Preaching, Personality, preaching

You're Preaching, But Do You Know Who's Listening?

By Mike Miller on Jan 17, 2023

Good preachers must develop the extra skill of "congregational exegesis."

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Congregation, audience, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Strange Glory Of Ordinary Things

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 13, 2021

John Piper's antidote to keep a preacher from going crazy.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-15

Tags: Glory, Preaching, Ordinary, john piper

Are You Willing To Be Misunderstood -- From The Pulpit?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 21, 2024

Sherman Cox takes up Will Willimon's challenge to preachers everywhere.

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-13

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, Relevance, Confront, will willimon, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Fear Bruised Toes

By Chris Surber on Dec 24, 2021

He is a poor preacher who gives no offense to his listeners.

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, poor preaching, measuring success, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

John Piper: Preaching Is Expository Exultation

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 31, 2021

The preacher's job is to minimize his own opinions and deliver the truth of God.

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:16

Tags: Preaching, exaltation, Expository, exultation, minimize, e, preaching, expository  (view more)  (view less)