In Preaching Articles: "Rest In Jesus"

"Get To" Vs. "Have To"

By Lance Witt on Apr 13, 2022

I am not exempt from the needs of my humanity simply because I am a pastor or ministry leader.

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: pastor, endurance with joy, rest in Jesus, fixing eyes on Jesus, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Turning To Jesus In Exhaustion

By Adam Weber on Apr 28, 2022

I had only recently completed my master’s degree, I didn’t want to start this church in the first place, it was struggling to grow, and here I was moving this stupid sign through three feet of snow. Without thinking, the words came out: God, what am I doing here? I’m tired!

Tags: Exhaustion, rest in god

We Need A Theology Of Rest

By Lance Witt on Jul 27, 2023

You don’t have to be running at an insane pace to be running on empty. I think the primary issue here isn’t the size of your ministry or the pace of your ministry. The PRIMARY issue has to do with the health of your soul (your interior life).

Scripture: Proverbs 14:8, Exodus 33:14-15, Jeremiah 6:16

Tags: Wisdom, Rest, endurance with joy, spiritual leadership, entering God's rest  (view more)  (view less)

Creating A Rhythm Of Sabbath Rest

By Josh Reich on Nov 23, 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)

How Leaders Defeat Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Apr 15, 2021

Somebody once said there are two things in life we can’t avoid, taxes and death. I’d like to add a third, discouragement. Church leader or not, you will face it. It’s an inevitable part of life. Here’s how I’ve learned to defeat discouragement.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:6

Tags: Discouragement, rest in god, Rest, Encouraged

One Dozen Liberating Life Lessons That Give Pastors Rest For Their Souls

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 28, 2019

We are loaded down with so many "shoulds," we find ourselves paralyzed by the inability to apply what we know.

Tags: life lessons, Rest, Soul, Preaching

Was Jesus Numerically Challenged?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 29, 2020

Is numerical growth proof of God’s grace? This reflection questions the assumption that size equals faithfulness and contrasts modern metrics with Jesus’ slow, seed-shaped vision of the church.

Scripture: Acts 2:41, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, 1 Peter 2:5, Matthew 13:31-33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth, Faithfulness, number

Is Jesus An Impossible Mentor?

By Ray Hollenbach on Sep 30, 2020

Do you preach Jesus as a role model? It's impossible to be like Jesus, isn't it? He was God-come-to-earth and his life sets the bar impossibly high for any of us.

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

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

The Double-Edged Sword Of Ambition

By Lance Witt on Jul 10, 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)

What Are 10 Things That Might Help A Pastor And His Wife Stay Married And In Ministry?

By Brian Croft on Aug 25, 2023

Marriage is hard enough, but add ministry into the mix and you have a recipe for a potential mess.

Tags: Marriage, Rest, intimacy with Christ, pastor's wife

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)

Pit Stops Required - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Sep 13, 2023

Leaders who stay spiritually healthy long term are those who learn this sacred rhythm of advance and retreat.

Tags: Retreat, rhythm, Solitude, Rest, Disciplines Silence  (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

How To Preach Jesus Using The Psalms

By Jason Hood on Feb 12, 2025

The Psalms reveal Jesus as sufferer, king, shepherd, and conqueror, inviting believers to see both Christ and themselves in the prayers he fulfilled and continues to shape in us.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation