In Preaching Articles: "Preaching Challenges"

Can You Defend The Faith Without Ranting?

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 17, 2025

Excellent advice from Joe McKeever: "Stand firm, preach the word, rebuke error, and be nice about it."

Tags: Preaching, advice, preach, defend the faith, ranting, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

People Listen In Different Ways—can You Reach All Of Them?

By Leslie Holmes on Feb 27, 2023

You're preaching to one congregation, filled with many listening styles. How can you connect with every individual?

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:1-15

Tags: Preaching, reflection, Listen, reach, application, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 4—free Up Working Memory (Capacity)

By Charles Stone on May 26, 2024

Free up Working Memory is the fourth installment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Tags: Preaching, memory, sermon, Capacity, Sermon, neuroscience, preaching, sermonprep, capacity  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 5—stimulate Long-Term Memory (Durability)

By Charles Stone on May 31, 2024

Stimulate Long-Term Memory is the fifth instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 2:49

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, pastor, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, neuroscience, preaching, long term memory, teaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Just What Is Pulpit Plagiarism?

By Ron Forseth on Dec 31, 2023

A thoughtful look at plagiarism, quotation, and citation in preaching, showing how conscience, diligence, and trust shape ethical and faithful sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 10:29

Tags: Preaching, Character, Integrity, Honesty, Plagiarism, Homiletics, Pastoral Integrity, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation, Sermon Plagiarism, Preaching Ethics  (view more)  (view less)

Addressing Sexual And Domestic Violence In The Church

By John Mcclure on May 24, 2020

Sexual and domestic violence sits silently in every congregation. Pastors must preach hope to survivors, clarity to perpetrators, and courage to bystanders.

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-21, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 1:17, Ephesians 5:11, Luke 4:18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Justice, affliction

3 Mistakes Pastors Make With Commentaries

By Peter Mead on May 5, 2025

Commentaries help with study, not sermon writing. Avoid atomized thinking, over-quoting, and needless citations to keep preaching clear and transformative.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 17:11, 1 Timothy 4:13-16

Tags: Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, Commentary, Bible Study, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, bible study, preaching, Sermon prep, commentary  (view more)  (view less)

8 Must-Have Elements Of Your Easter Sermon

By Josh Reich on Dec 10, 2024

Easter preaching should not be an annual performance but the weekly pattern of faithful proclamation that points to Jesus, offers hope, and calls for clear response.

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:23-31, Luke 24:1-12, Romans 1:16, John 11:25, Colossians 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Easter, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

The Power Of Saying: I Don't Know

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 5, 2020

In preaching, politics, and pastoral care, wisdom is often found not in having answers, but in knowing when silence and humility honor God most.

Scripture: John 11:32-35, Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 11:33-36, Job 38:1-4, James 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, leadership, Preaching, counsel, pastoral care, Leadership, communication, preaching, Pastoral Care  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Deadly Sins In The Pulpit

By Steve Murrell on Aug 20, 2020

"Unlike many modern preachers, Paul refused to edit out the difficult parts of the message. He insisted on preaching the whole gospel."

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:6-8

Tags: Preaching, bible truth, difficult passages, Bible Truth

Don't Sell The Gospel!

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 17, 2020

Peddlers are driven by greed for money and fear of pain. But let us preach Christ as the all-satisfying treasure and God-satisfying obedience.

Tags: Paul, Gospel, Preaching, Pharisees, peddle, e  (view more)  (view less)

The Chase Scene Of The Cross

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 14, 2024

Great preaching follows a line to its climax. Hal Seed points to the glory of the cross and resurrection as the climax of God's story with humanity.

Tags: Jesus, Easter, Preaching, Cross, Hal Seed, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Bethlehem This Day Resembles Heaven

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 19, 2023

One the earliest--and one of the best--Christmas sermons ever preached. You're invited to John Chrysostom's place for Christmas!

Tags:

Pastor And Prophet

By Lance Witt on May 10, 2024

"When it comes to our preaching, we live in the constant tension between pastor and prophet. On one hand, as pastors we want to encourage and care for the sheep. So, in our preaching we want to be uplifting and hopeful. On the other hand, as prophets we must sometimes say the hard things that the sheep don’t want to hear."

Scripture: Jeremiah 5:30-31, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Pride, People pleasing, pastoral leadership, selfish ambition, Pastoral Ministry, Pulpit Ministry, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of Vivid Description

By Peter Mead on Jul 21, 2024

Peter Mead: "I’m convinced that one of the key ingredients for effective preaching is effective and vivid description. Practice it. Learn it."

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Power, Preaching, illustration, descriptions, preaching  (view more)  (view less)