In Preaching Articles: "Putting Christ First"

Does Your Soul Have A Backbone?

By Lance Witt on Aug 7, 2023

Over the last few years my single most consistent prayer has been for spiritual courage.

Tags: suffering, Courage, People pleasing, intimacy with Christ

A Risk Worth Taking

By Leigh Ann Carey Looyenga on Apr 10, 2024

Are you tired? Worn down by the pace of life and ministry? Do you feel like the abundant life may not be for ministry leaders?

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-2, Deuteronomy 5:6

Tags: Sunday, Sabbath, relationships, Rest, intimacy with Christ  (view more)  (view less)

How Does A Pastor Fight Through The Preaching Hangover

By Brian Croft on Sep 6, 2023

You may call it something different, but every pastor knows about it. It is the mental, emotional, and spiritual crash that takes place the next day (Monday) as a result of pouring your heart and soul out in the proclamation of God’s word to God’s people the day before.

Tags: Preaching, Silence, Rest, intimacy with Christ, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ways Pastors Can Refill Their Depleted Souls

By Charles Stone on Apr 21, 2022

Although we intuitively understand how to refuel ourselves, we often don’t do it. He challenged us to ask why we don’t.

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Tags: relationships, Rest, soul care, intimacy with Christ

What Pastors Are Trying To Do

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 16, 2022

The church member stares and wonders what’s going on and why you’re making so much noise until the day he/she meets Jesus.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6, 1 Timothy 5:17

Tags: Faithfulness, Transformation, Follow Jesus, preaching Christ

When Church Members Insist On Their Rights.

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 24, 2022

“Consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself lest you also grow weary and lose heart,” (Hebrews 12:3).

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-44, Matthew 26:53, Hebrews 12:3, 1 Corinthians 6:7, Psalm 103:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility, conflict, Pastoral Ministry, Example of Christ

The Clock Is Ticking

By Lance Witt on Jan 1, 2021

2021 is a clean canvas that God puts in our hands and with His help we can paint a beautiful picture this coming year.

Scripture: Romans 13:11-12

Tags: Perspective, New Year, Seize The Day, Opportunities, perspective  (view more)  (view less)

What Makes A Sermon Good?

By Duane K Kelderman on Aug 2, 2024

Preachers and churches run into trouble when they forget that preaching is first and foremost a proclamation of Scripture.

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-10, 1 Chronicles 1:1

Tags: Preaching, preaching

10 Personal Discoveries I Made While Preaching

By Ben Reed on Sep 20, 2024

Ben Reed discovered that sometimes the very first person to be helped by the sermon is the preacher himself.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

A Category You Won’t Find In The Bible: The Churchless Christian

By Thabiti Anyabwile on Oct 27, 2022

"It is important for Christians to be members of a local church because the New Testament apostles can’t conceive of anything called a Christian that’s not connected to Christ’s body."

Tags: Church, Discipleship, Christian Life, Healthy Church, Called to serve, local church, be the church, Church Body of Christ, Christian community, church  (view more)  (view less)

9 Keys To Reach More Men With Your Preaching

By Josh Reich on Feb 7, 2020

If the father is the first in the household to become a Christian, there is a 93 percent probability everyone else in the home will follow.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-17, Hebrews 12:13-17

Tags: Men, Preaching, sermon, Sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Theology? Philosophy? What Do They Have To Do With Real Preaching?

By Mike Miller on Nov 25, 2024

Our theology of preaching is what we believe the Bible says about preaching. Our philosophy is how we put our beliefs into practice.

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:1-20, Jonah 3:1-10

Tags: Preaching, Theology, philosophy, preaching

8 Easy Ways To Plan Now For New Vbs Families To Stick

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 8, 2021

In my experience, churches put on a stellar VBS and just hope that the fourth goal of retaining new families from the community will take care of itself.

Tags: Outreach, Unchurched, VBS, families, relational leaders  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach Like The Weeping Prophet

By Chris Surber on May 21, 2025

Love in the pastorate--not logic in the academic hall--wins people to Christ.

Tags: Prophet, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Matthew, Preaching, Gospel of Luke, Weeping, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Say Good-Bye: Preaching Your Last Sermon

By Chris Surber on Nov 10, 2021

People usually listen closely to your first words--and your last. Make them meaningful.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Tags: Preaching, Purpose, preparation, Goodbye, last sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)