In Preaching Articles: "Reality"

10 Multisite Myths (And Realities)

By Jim Egli on Nov 1, 2020

Multisite ministry is often misunderstood. Data and experience show that many common objections are either exaggerated or simply false.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Ephesians 4:11-12, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth, Missions, Multisite, In Christ, church, Church  (view more)  (view less)

What To Do With Feedback From Sunday's Sermon—10 Lifelines

By Peter Mead on Aug 18, 2025

Not all feedback is created equal. How you handle it can shape your preaching.

Scripture: Job 31:1-10, Acts 3:10-17

Tags: Preaching, Reality, Lifeline, Feedback, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Five Kinds Of Churches That Must Change Or Die

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 14, 2023

Okay, I have some tough news for you who are members or leaders of about 100,000 churches in America. Change or die.

Tags: Change, Church Growth, Reality, Dying Church

The 4 Most Overlooked Realities Of A Healthy Church Turnaround

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 12, 2022

Many pastors say “I want this church to turn around”, when what we really mean is “I want this church to get bigger.” Those are two different goals.

Tags: Church, church

Preaching Is Like Setting A Wildfire—except When It's Not

By Jacob Myers on Mar 7, 2024

How do you decide what to burn and what to protect?

Scripture: Joshua 6:6-25, Proverbs 8:34

Tags: Struggle, wildfire, preaching, culture, Preaching, Culture, Reality  (view more)  (view less)

6 Messy Truths About Your Church—and 3 Helpful Realities

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 5, 2025

"I was taught never to wrestle with difficult truths in front of the congregation. Give them simple three-point, alliterated answers to life’s problems."

Tags: Preaching, messy truth, efficient, confusing, preaching, bible, Bible  (view more)  (view less)

H.b. Charles Remembers The Time He Shipwrecked His Sermon

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 17, 2021

It seemed like a good idea when he thought of it, but the reality in the pulpit was something very different!

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why Your Congregation Is Your Second Text

By Mike Glenn on Oct 26, 2020

Faithful preaching requires devotion not only to the biblical text but also to the lived realities of the congregation. The pastor stands between both.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 4:15, John 1:14, Mark 4:26-29  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Congregation, role, second text, Pastoral Ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Thom Rainer: 3 Reasons Your People Are Spiritually Stuck

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 28, 2024

"When we lead our people in the process of transformation, we need to orient them to the reality of the war within them."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Tags: Preaching, Transformation, Envy, striving, Spiritual exercise, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Preaching Questions With Ray Ortlund Jr.

By Colin Adams on Feb 21, 2025

Ray Ortlund reflects on preaching’s centrality, the weight of the pulpit, and the spiritual realities that shape a faithful, believable, Christ-exalting ministry.

Scripture: Romans 10:14

Tags: Homiletics

My First Year Ministry Mistakes

By Josh Tandy on Jul 1, 2020

Seminary didn’t prepare me for ministry reality. These early mistakes taught me more than success ever could.

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-13, Proverbs 11:14, Hebrews 13:17, Galatians 6:1, 1 Timothy 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Leadership Mistakes

Why Preachers Must Work At Their Preaching

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 1, 2021

Some believe that if a preacher is truly called, preparation and training are unnecessary. In reality, faithful preaching requires both divine calling and diligent effort.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Isaiah 55:11, 1 Corinthians 15:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: preaching, teaching, Teaching, Preaching, the word, pious, notion  (view more)  (view less)

6 Guidelines For Preaching To Postmoderns

By Rich Nathan on Jun 3, 2021

Postmodern culture is marked by skepticism, endless perspectives, and a hunger for authenticity. Faithful preaching must present the truth of Christ in ways that address these realities.

Scripture: John 7:17, Romans 1:21-24, Acts 17:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 3:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: communicate, postmodern, evangelism, preaching, Evangelism, Message, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Illustrations Make Preaching Unforgettable

By Dr. Larry Moyer on May 21, 2020

Illustrations turn speakers into communicators. They clarify truth, reveal the preacher’s understanding, awaken attention, and help listeners see biblical realities clearly.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, John 6:44, Matthew 13:34, Proverbs 25:11, Psalm 78:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, illustration, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Rethinking Our Witness To The Neighborhood

By David Fitch on Oct 30, 2020

The gospel is the announcement that Jesus is Lord and is renewing all things. Faithful witness today requires translating that royal reality into everyday relationships, struggles, and longings.

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 1:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Colossians 2:15, Romans 6:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Congregation, Jesus is Lord, Jesus Is Lord