In Preaching Articles: "Preaching On Suffering"

The Benefit Of A Church Crisis

By Josh Reich on Feb 16, 2021

Nobody likes a crisis. No one likes bad news or being disappointed or being uncomfortable. We like when things work, when things are easy, when things go our way. Yet if you are a leader, at some point you will walk through a crisis with your church.

Scripture: Acts 12:1-10

Tags: Preaching, crisis

Why I Participated In The Work Of The Local Association

By Joe Mckeever on Feb 23, 2021

Consider these five reasons to be involved in the local association. I promise you that Christ will be honored, your church will be strengthened, other ministers will be encouraged, and most surprising of all, you will find yourself to be more fulfilled in serving your Lord.

Tags: Church, Preaching

Should I Leave My Current Ministry Position?

By Josh Reich on Feb 25, 2021

Too many pastors work at churches they would not attend if they didn’t get paid to be there. Think about this: If you work at a church, would you attend it if you didn’t get paid to be there?

Tags: Job, Preaching

In Recruiting, Don’t Say No For Someone

By Josh Reich on Feb 27, 2021

What happens then is the leader says no for the person without giving them a chance to say yes or no. Would that person say no? I have no idea and neither do you.

Tags: Preaching, Recruiting

When The Applause Becomes A Drug

By Brady Boyd on Apr 20, 2020

Pastors face pressures that tempt them toward unhealthy escapes. One subtle danger is the craving for applause. True strength comes only from Christ, not the crowd.

Scripture: Galatians 1:10, John 3:30, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Psalm 73:26, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Addiction, leadership, Preaching, Cross, Crowd, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Hook Your Congregation Into Your Message

By SermonCentral .com on May 12, 2020

Your sermon text is central, but it doesn’t always need to come first. Strong hooks help listeners connect their lives to Scripture before exposition begins.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 24:27, Ecclesiastes 12:10

Tags: Bird, Preaching, Anxiety, Field, flowers, preaching, anxiety  (view more)  (view less)

10 Suggestions For The Shepherd Of A Stagnant Flock

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 3, 2020

Most churches plateau or decline, but pastors don’t have to. These ten truths challenge leaders to grow personally and guide struggling congregations toward renewed health.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6, Acts 2:47, James 1:5, Philippians 1:9, Zechariah 4:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Sheep, Apathy, lead, Church Purpose of, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Good Sermons Start With Listening

By Mary Hinkle Shore on Jan 17, 2024

Faithful sermons are born not from noise or haste, but from careful listening to Scripture, people, and language itself.

Scripture: John 12:20-33, James 1:19, Luke 24:27, Nehemiah 8:8, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Listen, BIBLICAL TEACHING, preaching, Biblical Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Long Should A Sermon Be?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 11, 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)

Why Jesus Never Used A Classroom

By Bob Hamp on Jul 25, 2020

Jesus did not come primarily to educate or motivate but to liberate. His life and ministry reveal a discipleship model rooted in freedom, action, and restoration.

Scripture: Luke 4:18-19, John 8:32-36, Mark 1:38-39, Matthew 4:19, Romans 8:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Learning, Living, follower, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Talk About Money In Church

By Jamie Munson on Jul 30, 2020

"If we are avoiding the subject or trying to make it more palatable, we are doing our congregations a huge disservice."

Scripture: John 4:14, Luke 12:34, Matthew 25:14-30, Acts 2:44-47, 2 Corinthians 8:7  (view more)  (view less)

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

John Piper's Journey From Pulpit To Poetry

By SermonCentral .com on May 24, 2023

"I was so moved that the desire to say it again another way kept urging me on. So I wrote this."

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 19:7-11, Psalm 119:105, John 17:17

Tags: Faith, Love, Jesus, Healing, Preaching, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preachers Should Love Praise And Worship

By Adam Russell on Sep 19, 2020

In a fractured and complicated world, extended corporate worship becomes confessional, communal, and formational for the gathered church.

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-7, Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:18-20, Hebrews 10:24-25, Psalm 96:1-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Music, Worship, Teaching, Preaching, Adoration, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is Jesus An Impossible Mentor?

By Ray Hollenbach on Sep 30, 2020

Many admire Jesus but quietly believe His life is unattainable. Scripture teaches not imitation by willpower, but transformation by union with Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, Romans 8:29, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 1:5, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: honor, Preaching, Submission, Accountability, Mentor, preaching, Honor  (view more)  (view less)

Start Strong: The Discipline Of The Sermon Introduction

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 10, 2025

The sermon introduction sets direction, tone, and trust. A strong beginning clarifies the text, states the point, and prepares the congregation to listen carefully.

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 5:44-45

Tags: Love, Emotions, Preaching, Introduction, Faithful, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)