In Preaching Articles: "Preaching Challenges"

Why I Pace Before I Preach

By Walter Wangerin Jr. on Apr 30, 2020

Preaching demands the whole person, and fear often accompanies love for God and His people. Pacing, trembling, and praying become part of delivering a faithful message.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:3, Jeremiah 20:9, Exodus 4:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:7, James 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Emotions, Preaching, pulpit, preparation, preaching, Pastoral Life, Pulpit  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching A Wedding: The Practical Do's And Don'ts

By Jared Moore on Mar 23, 2025

Preaching weddings brings unique pressures and expectations. These clear do’s and don’ts help pastors keep Christ central, avoid distractions, and communicate the gospel well.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-32, Proverbs 3:5-6, Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Matthew 19:4-6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Death, Love, Commitment, Preaching, forever, Weddings, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)

15 Quick Tips For Better Christmas Preaching

By Peter Mead on Dec 6, 2024

Christmas texts don’t need gimmicks. Preach familiar passages freshly, stay with the writer’s emphasis, honor tradition carefully, and drive home the incarnation’s present relevance.

Scripture: Mark 1:1-13, John 1:1-18, Galatians 4:4-5

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, Tip, biblical theology, preaching, Biblical Theology  (view more)  (view less)

10 Easier Ways To Preach About Money

By Margaret Marcuson on Jan 15, 2024

Talking about money is hard for pastors, but it shapes discipleship. These ten reminders help leaders teach stewardship with clarity, courage, and less anxiety.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:5-14, Matthew 6:24-33, Proverbs 3:9, Luke 12:15

Tags: Money, Stewardship, Preaching, Generosity, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Preaching Mistakes Everyone Can Avoid

By Jared Moore on Jun 8, 2020

If you want people leaving your sermon focused on God, avoid these common preaching mistakes. These ten pitfalls distract hearers from the text and diminish exposition.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, James 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Psalm 19:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, preaching, Preaching Mistakes

John Piper: Bible-Oriented Preaching Or Entertainment?

By John Piper on Aug 23, 2024

True preaching is bound to Scripture, not personality. A Bible-tethered preacher speaks with God’s authority, while entertainment preaching drifts from the Word.

Scripture: John 17:20, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 66:2

Tags: Scripture, Entertainment, john calvin, John Calvin

Daring Preaching Engages The Culture: Does Yours?

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 25, 2024

Christ sends us into the world but warns us not to be shaped by it. Faithful ministry means engaging culture with wisdom, tension, and gospel-centered discernment.

Scripture: John 17:14-18, Romans 14:4, Acts 17:22-23, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Ephesians 2:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Christian Discipleship

9 Reasons Why I Preach Expositionally

By Danny Slavich on Apr 11, 2025

Expository preaching allows God to set the agenda, keeps sermons Christ-centered, grounds the church in Scripture, and shapes both preacher and people.

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Luke 24:27, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 4:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, Church Leadership

Why You Should Share The Preaching Load

By Outreach Magazine on Apr 6, 2025

Busy teaching pastors need time away from the pulpit to study, pray, rest, and refocus on the goal.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2-25

Tags: Plan, Preaching, pulpit, Pastors, elders, preaching, Pulpit, Elders  (view more)  (view less)

You Can Tell The Story, But Preach The Points

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 2, 2020

Stories are powerful, but how do we make the points of our sermon while keeping the integrity of the Bible story that we are preaching?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Get To The Point: Preaching Truth In An Age Of Tolerance

By Michael Catt on Sep 8, 2024

Michael Catt: "We endanger the call, art, and gift of preaching when we make it about style instead of substance."

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:7

Tags: Truth, Preaching, Culture, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)

R. C. Sproul: Preach Simply, Not Simplistically

By R. C. Sproul on Jan 2, 2023

A great teacher can simplify without distortion. This is the supreme test of understanding.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

4 Issues That Could Silence Your Preaching

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 7, 2020

We like to think we're beyond outside influence, but there are hot-buttons in every church that could take away your pulpit voice.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Does Your Preaching Wield A Sword Or An Anvil?

By Peter Mead on Sep 15, 2024

God's word is a living and active sword. Peter Mead suggests that too often preachers try to drop an anvil on their listeners.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, Jeremiah 23:29

Tags: Preaching, living word, words, Sword, Impact, Heavy, anvil, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching A Notable Sermon Without Using Notes

By Rev. Tejado Hanchell on Aug 18, 2020

"I believe every preacher should have at least one sermon in his heart that he could preach with or without notes if called upon at a moment's notice."

Tags: Preaching, memories, memorization, preaching