In Preaching Articles: "Preaching Challenges"

8 Starts To Avoid In Your Preaching

By Rachel Blom on Jan 3, 2023

The first moments of a sermon shape whether people will stay engaged. These eight common but ineffective sermon starts reveal what preachers should avoid to maintain attention and build trust with listeners.

Tags: Homiletics

Why Authentic Preaching Could Be A Trap

By Maurilio Amorim on May 14, 2020

Authenticity blesses the church, but permissive confession erodes repentance. True vulnerability must lead to real change, not sympathy without transformation.

Scripture: James 5:16, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Proverbs 28:13, Psalm 51:10-12, 1 John 1:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Integrity

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)

John Piper: My View Of Preaching

By John Piper on Aug 20, 2024

True preaching is expository exultation explaining the Bible and exulting over its truth. This vision shapes the church, fuels worship, and carries eternal weight.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Nehemiah 8:8, Psalm 119:18, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 10:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

4 Remedies For Discouragement In Your Preaching

By Erik Raymond on Apr 2, 2025

Pastors often feel ineffective, but Christ’s resurrection guarantees their preaching matters. Lift your eyes, pray, delight in grace, and keep proclaiming Christ.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:23, 1 Corinthians 15:14, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Trust, Perseverance, Hope, Preaching, Discouragement, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How John Piper Learned To Preach

By Outreach Inc. on Apr 8, 2025

John Piper reflects on how God shapes preachers not through polish or performance, but through Scripture, suffering, and deep love for God’s Word.

Scripture: Galatians 1:15-16, Romans 10:14-17, 2 Corinthians 4:5-7, Jeremiah 20:9

Tags: obedience, Preaching, obey, Expository Preaching, preaching, expository preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Powerful Preaching Means Transformation, Not Information

By James Scott on Jul 12, 2020

Being informed by Scripture can still leave lives unchanged. Biblical Christianity calls for Christ to be formed within us, producing real transformation, not mere knowledge.

Scripture: Galatians 4:19, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Colossians 1:27, James 1:22-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Transformation, preaching, Pastoral Theology

Preaching To The Point: Ten Commandments Of Brevity

By Pete Wilson on Jul 11, 2021

Pete Wilson is grateful for the day when someone finally put a clock on his preaching.

Tags: Commandments, Preaching, Brevity, storytelling, Time, preaching tips  (view more)  (view less)

4 Reasons Why I Preach

By Ken Collins on Jul 26, 2020

Have you ever taken the time to define the "why" of your weekly task? Here's one list from a veteran pastor.

Tags: Preaching, motivation, goals, education, Leadership General  (view more)  (view less)

15 Good-Sense Preaching Tips

By Gracia Grindal on Jan 18, 2024

Practical advice on what works--and what doesn't--in your sermon.

Scripture: John 5:1-5

Tags: Preaching, preaching

10 Ways To Authenticate Your Preaching

By Jared Moore on Aug 10, 2020

Your hearers often hear you before they hear the Scriptures. If your people know you, they’ll have a better basis for understanding your sermons.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Tags: Service, Humility, Preaching, Biblical, Context, authentic  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach Jesus Using 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: Psalms, Praise, Preaching, Meekness, church fathers, Prayer Adoration, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Willing To Be Hated For Preaching The Gospel?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 12, 2020

Tailoring your message to fit the audience is good planning. Changing the content of the gospel is something else entirely.

Scripture: John 15:18, Mark 13:13

Tags: Persecution, Gospel, Preaching, suffering, Hatred  (view more)  (view less)

The Heart Of Great Preaching: 3 Observations

By Peter Mead on Apr 20, 2025

Master-preacher Peter Mead reflects on what placed one preacher among "the greats."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

9 Ways To Preach A Lousy Sermon

By Ben Reed on Aug 25, 2020

If you want to preach a great sermon, here are nine things you must avoid at all costs.

Tags: Faith, Fear, endurance, Preaching, prosper  (view more)  (view less)