In Preaching Articles: "Putting Christ First"

5 Mistakes Most Preachers Make

By Carey Nieuwhof on Aug 1, 2022

"So maybe you’re a preacher, or you listen to preachers (or stopped listening to preachers). Almost everyone has a perspective on what makes or doesn’t make for a great sermon."

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Simplicity, effective, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, preaching Christ, Effective Teaching, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Creating A Rhythm Of Sabbath Rest

By Josh Reich on Nov 22, 2022

"The number one complaint I hear from people is, “I don’t have time. I don’t have time for hobbies, sleep, my marriage, relationships, kids, reading my Bible.” You do, you just gave that time away. You give your time to the things that matter most."

Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-10

Tags: Technology, Sabbath, Slavery, God's peace, Rest in Christ, Rest, Christian Disciplines, GOD's rest, personal holiness  (view more)  (view less)

When Your Pain Makes It Hard To Say "It Is Well With My Soul”

By Randy Alcorn on Mar 28, 2024

The pain was great, but God’s grace rose to the occasion. Despite his heartbreak, Spafford could say without pretense, “It is well with my soul.”

Scripture: Psalm 31:7, John 14:27, Isaiah 66:12-14

Tags: pain, Trusting God, Grief, Loss, God's peace, Glorious Future, coping with loss, Resting in Christ, Pain  (view more)  (view less)

The Double-Edged Sword Of Ambition

By Lance Witt on Jul 9, 2024

Ambition is a blessing and a curse. When it is God-directed and Spirit-managed, it can bear tremendous fruit. But when it is hijacked by self and ego, it can leave a wake of destruction in its path.

Tags: Faithfulness, motivation, Ambition, Rest in Christ, pastoral leadership, personal holiness, entering God's rest, ministry vision  (view more)  (view less)

Have You Half-Quit Preaching?

By Peter Mead on May 1, 2025

Preaching brings constant pressure and subtle temptations to disengage. Faithfulness requires resisting the half-quit and leaning into Christ.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 3:12, Jeremiah 20:9, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, quit, Spiritual Discipline, preaching

Expect More From Young Men

By Joe Hamilton on Aug 18, 2022

We are eager to see young men exert energy because we all know what happens when you put testosterone together with capacity to work for the kingdom. And we also know what happens when you mix the same testosterone and capacity with idleness. The ancient saying proves true: “the devil finds work for idle hands.”

Tags: Youth, Singleness, Idleness, young adults, adolescence, immaturity, Young Men, Expectation, e  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Keep Preaching The Second Coming

By Calvin Miller on Aug 4, 2020

Speculation has failed again and again, but the second coming of Christ remains central to Christian hope, readiness, and faithful living.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:4-6, Matthew 24:36, Acts 1:6-8, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, 2 Peter 3:11-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Eschatology, preaching

The Secret Ingredient Your Sermon Is Missing

By Erik Raymond on Dec 28, 2025

Sound exegesis and strong delivery are not enough. Preaching becomes powerful when the preacher is personally moved by the glory of Christ in the text.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:4, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 1:3-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Worship, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Is Jesus An Impossible Mentor?

By Ray Hollenbach on Sep 29, 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)

Leveraging Media Moments For Gospel Impact

By Scott Anderson on Nov 9, 2020

When biblical themes enter mainstream media, churches have a strategic opportunity to invite deeper engagement with Scripture and Christ.

Scripture: Acts 17:22-23, Luke 24:27, Colossians 4:5-6, Romans 10:14-15, Matthew 28:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, Bible Influence, preaching

The Lost Art Of Feasting

By David Mathis on Nov 26, 2025

"Most of us have never given any serious thought to what it might mean to feast with Christ-honoring intentionality."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Timothy 4:4-5, Luke 14:13, Romans 14:5-6

Tags: Thanksgiving, Fellowship, Community, feast, Christian Joy, give thanks, thank god, Thanksgiving Holiday, community, fellowship  (view more)  (view less)

11 Common Preaching Mistakes That Distract From God

By Jared Moore on Jan 4, 2026

Avoid 11 common preaching mistakes that shift focus from God to yourself. Learn how to preach Christ-centered sermons that point hearers to God’s truth.

Tags: expository preaching, Preaching Tips, Preaching Mistakes, Biblical Communication, Christ Centered Sermons, preaching tips, Expository Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Biblical Preaching Is More Than Quoting The Bible

By Jeff K. Clarke on Jan 6, 2026

Not all ideas in the Bible are biblical. Discover how reading Scripture through the lens of Jesus helps us rightly interpret God’s redemptive story.

Tags: Hermeneutics, Narrative Theology, hermeneutics, biblical theology, Bible interpretation, Bible Interpretation, Christ Centered Reading, Biblical Theology  (view more)  (view less)

When Pastors Misplace Their Identity: 10 Probing Questions

By Charles Stone on Sep 18, 2022

“No one is more influential in your life than you are, because no one talks to you more than you do.” ––Paul Tripp

Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:1

Tags: Ministry, identity, Identity in Christ, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Right Priorities, self assement, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

How To Stop Flirting With Sin

By Chad Ashby on Nov 13, 2022

Brothers and sisters, “As long as it is called ‘today,’ [be sure] that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin!” (Hebrews 3:13)

Scripture: Judges 16:1-31, Matthew 5:29, Judges 16:4-5, Matthew 7:13, 1 John 3:8, Hebrews 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: God's Grace, Personal Growth, Know the Truth, Discipline, Abide in Christ, personal holiness, fighting ungodliness, fighting sin  (view more)  (view less)