In Preaching Articles: "Risk Taking"

Why Powerful Preaching Requires Getting Personal

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 23, 2023

Solid sermon structure matters, but preaching becomes powerful when pastors risk personal vulnerability and let real life carry biblical truth home.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Psalm 40:1-3, James 5:10-11, Romans 8:18-25, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Story, storm, Pastoral Ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Without A Net: Delivering Sermons Without Notes

By Bruce Salmon on Mar 2, 2025

A pastor describes how a forgotten outline pushed him onto the “high wire” of preaching without notes and how that risk opened new freedom, focus, and trust in God.

Tags: Church, Preaching, worry, manuscript, Homiletics, Pastoral Ministry, Expository Preaching, Sermon Delivery, Worry, preaching, church, expository preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Battle Against Burnout

By Peter Walters on Feb 8, 2022

I think we don’t take seriously enough the fact that taking care of our bodies is a spiritual issue.

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4-6, Mark 6:31, Leviticus 25:4, Exodus 20:8, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Proverbs 23:2, 1 Corinthians 6:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Body Temple, Rest, Commandments Sabbath, Pastoral Character

Grappling With The Fears Of Technological Change

By Tim Challies on Apr 15, 2023

Technologies are good in that they allow us to carry out our God-given mandate (Gen. 4). But every technology also brings risk; it brings change. Innovations subtly shift our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Tags: Fear, Communication, Technology, Cultural Change, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Have The Courage To Tear Your Sermon In Half?

By John Mcclure on Oct 28, 2024

Overcome slow starts by taking a knife to your opening!

Tags: Preaching, advice, rehash, cutting room, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Willing To Be Misunderstood -- From The Pulpit?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 21, 2024

Sherman Cox takes up Will Willimon's challenge to preachers everywhere.

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-13

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, Relevance, Confront, will willimon, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Important Reasons Pastors Need A Summer Preaching Break

By Josh Reich on Mar 24, 2025

It's not just about taking a break; it's about becoming a better preacher.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What Does It Really Mean To "Go Deeper”?

By Alan Danielson on May 1, 2020

Alan Danielson offers his take on one of the most overrated comments in the church today.

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7, Colossians 2:7

Tags: Thought, Church, leadership, Preaching, spiritual growth, Leadership, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Who Aren't You Preaching To?

By Peter Mead on Jul 26, 2021

Sometimes we should take note of the people who are NOT present when we preach.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What Happens If You Fail To Preach On Money

By Mark Brooks on Jun 27, 2021

Clergy often tiptoe around the topic of money as if they were taking a walk through a minefield.

Tags: Money, Tithe, Preaching, Generosity, new testament giving  (view more)  (view less)

Your Sermon May Solve Problems But Is That Enough?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 10, 2025

Address people where they are, but take them to another place to meet the Sovereign of the Universe.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Cosmic Treason

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 6, 2022

Not until we take God seriously will we ever take sin seriously. But if we acknowledge the righteous character of God, then we, like the saints of old, will cover our mouths with our hands and repent in dust and ashes before Him.

Tags: Sin, repentance, Biblical Language, Repentance

Judah Smith Shares His 7-Step Outline For Sermon Prep

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 29, 2020

Judah Smith takes his congregation on a tour through the forest. What's your sermon prep?

Tags:

The Radical Experiment: One Year To A Church Turned Upside Down

By David Platt on Jan 13, 2025

David Platt dares pastors and their congregations to take a leap of faith and test the claims contained in the gospel.

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Tags: Faith, Outreach, Gospel, Missions, Prayer, radical, Evangelism Urgency, Gospel obedience, gospel, Gospel Obedience  (view more)  (view less)

16 Tips For Better Easter Impact

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 31, 2021

Practical advice to take full advantage of this once-a-year opportunity--this year, and in years to come.

Tags: Easter, Outreach, New, Church Growth, Impact, preaching tips, Easter Palm Sunday  (view more)  (view less)