In Preaching Articles: "Putting Christ First" showing 1-15 of 189

Doing Ministry Without Losing Your Soul Part 3

By Lance Witt on May 22, 2024

When pastoring is your job, it adds complexity to simply loving Jesus. To live and lead from a healthy soul, we must learn the art of separating our own personal pursuit of loving Jesus from our “ministry” of leading in the church.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Tags: time with God, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, soul care, avoiding burnout, Putting Christ First, Sincerity with God, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Put The Brakes On Summer Groups

By John Gilman Ii on Jun 21, 2024

It’s tempting to waive the white flag, to throw your hands up in surrender, to the summer slump. Many churches simply resign their efforts and re-appropriate them in the fall. First on the chopping block of suspended ministries are groups.

Tags: relationships, Volunteer, creative, Church Small Groups

The First Step In Being A Great Pastor

By SermonCentral on Feb 12, 2022

The first step in being a great pastor is to walk with God.

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:11

Tags: pastor, Basics of Christianity, Intimacy With God, intimacy with Christ, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

The Preacher's First Mistake

By Bruce D. Johnson on Aug 26, 2023

If we fail to get this one right, it's hard to keep our listeners with us.

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, interest, hook, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Pursue Feelings. Pursue Christ.

By Joe Thorn on Jul 12, 2022

One danger is emotionalism, in which we allow our feelings to interpret our circumstances and form our thoughts about God. This is putting feelings before faith. The other danger is a kind of stoicism, where faith is rooted in theology but void of affection. This tendency removes feelings from faith altogether. While it is true that our emotions should not lead our theology, it is vital to our faith that theology lead to a deep experience of our triune God.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Psalm 34:18, Romans 8:15, Psalm 34:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Emotions, Theology, Stoicism, Feelings, Doctrine to Doxology  (view more)  (view less)

Is The Body Of Christ In Trouble?

By Barry O. Johnson on Sep 12, 2024

Barry Johnson offers some helpful insights into the state of the Church in America, and offers a loving call for pastors to take bold steps of faith wherever God has planted them.

Tags: Gospel, Truth, Preaching, Body of Christ, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Update Your First Impression

By Chet Gladkowski on Jun 22, 2020

First impressions still count, but that doesn't mean you have to do the it the same way you did twenty years ago. Here are three areas to polish up in your church to make an impression that's warm and memorable.

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Update Your First Impression

By Chet Gladkowski on Apr 4, 2023

First impressions still matter, but you don't have to use the same approach for three decades. Here are three areas to check if you're considering some changes.

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Preaching The Power Of The Person Of Christ

By Peter Mead on Sep 12, 2020

If the God in our sights is benign, our preaching will be the same.

Tags: Love, Preaching, Prosperity, redemption, God's Kingdom, Kingdom of God, kingdom of God  (view more)  (view less)

The Church Must Preach Christ

By SermonCentral on Apr 8, 2022

Widely diverse philosophies of preaching vie for acceptance among contemporary clergy.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:23-25, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Romans 1:16

Tags: Preaching, Preach Christ, gospel proclamation, preaching

Do We Need A broader Definition Of Church Growth?

By Karl Vaters on Oct 13, 2023

Any definition of church growth that doesn’t allow for, even celebrate, churches that contribute in non-numerical ways is incomplete.

Tags: Church Growth, priorities, pastoral leadership, First Things First, Right Values  (view more)  (view less)

6 Ways The Gospel Should Shape A Pastor’s Leadership

By Brandon Kelley on Nov 17, 2022

A Pastor’s leadership must first and foremost be a response to Christ’s gospel.

Scripture: Acts 4:19, 1 Peter 3:12

Tags: Character, bible truth, Church leaders, Godly Leaders, Bible Truth, pastoral leadership, Praying, Gospel centered, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

R.c. Sproul: Preaching Christ

By SermonCentral on Sep 18, 2020

"The 'kerygma' is the essential proclamation of the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and rule of Jesus Christ, as well as a call to conversion and repentance."

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-20

Tags: Preaching

Death Is Dead, Christ Has Conquered

By Sam Allberry on May 23, 2024

Too many of us view the resurrection of Jesus as little more than a nice, happy conclusion to the gospel story. But the Easter story isn’t just “what happens next” to Jesus after his death. It doesn’t just wrap up the story; it fulfills it. In fact, there really is no story without it.

Scripture: Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:17

Tags: Resurrection, Gospel, Victory, Christ is Risen, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

13 Benefits Of Putting An Expiration Date On New Ministries In Your Church

By SermonCentral on Jan 12, 2024

Here's a great way open your church up to innovative new ideas by minimizing the risk – or at least the sting – of failure.

Tags: Preaching, preaching