In Preaching Articles: "Second Text"

9 Ways To Preach A Lousy Sermon

By Ben Reed on Aug 26, 2020

Want to sabotage your preaching? Neglect prayer, ignore the text, avoid vulnerability, and heap burdens on your people.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, James 3:1, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Faith, Fear, endurance, Preaching, prosper, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Fourth World: How Your Personality Shapes Your Preaching

By Peter Mead on Sep 21, 2020

Your preaching is shaped not only by the text and the congregation, but by your inner world. Personality profoundly influences preparation and delivery.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Timothy 4:16, James 3:1, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership, preaching

Every Sermon Needs A Strategy: What's Yours?

By Peter Mead on May 25, 2024

Peter Mead presents five big questions you should ask after you've studied the text.

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:12-18, Acts 8:26-40

Tags: Preaching, Relevance, God's Heart, main idea, reinforce, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Matt Chandler's Advice To Young Preachers

By Matt Chandler on Jun 17, 2023

"If you can't feel the text, I don't know if you've been called to preach."

Tags: Grace, Preaching, Engage, moment, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Secret Ingredient Your Sermon Is Missing

By Erik Raymond on Dec 29, 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

3 Mistakes To Avoid When Preaching Genesis

By Peter Mead on May 13, 2021

Genesis is foundational to the whole Bible, but it is often mishandled in the pulpit. Avoid three common errors that flatten the text and weaken proclamation.

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24, Genesis 4:1-26, Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:1-6, Genesis 50:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Old Testament, Preaching, mistakes, teach, Interpretation, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Reasons Why I Love Preaching Psalms

By Peter Mead on Sep 13, 2024

The Psalms offer preachers complete texts, emotional honesty, rich imagery, and enduring relevance that connects Scripture deeply to lived faith.

Tags: Preaching, Biblical Worship, preaching

Start Strong: The Discipline Of The Sermon Introduction

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 10, 2025

The sermon introduction sets direction, tone, and trust. A strong beginning clarifies the text, states the point, and prepares the congregation to listen carefully.

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 5:44-45

Tags: Love, Emotions, Preaching, Introduction, Faithful, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)

How Faithful Preaching Keeps Bibles Open

By Peter Mead on May 27, 2025

Effective biblical preaching keeps listeners engaged with the text, helping them follow Scripture during the sermon and return to it throughout the week.

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-22, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Faith, Preaching, average, interest, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

We Can - And Should! - Preach Like The Apostles

By Dayton Hartman on Jun 21, 2021

Only 50% of the next generation of Christians have any respect for the text of Scripture. How do you preach the Bible to them?

Tags: Preaching, apostle, Millenial, preaching

In Defense Of The "Ordinary” Preacher?

By Michael Duduit on Sep 28, 2020

In a culture captivated by charisma and spectacle, the steady, text-driven, ordinary preacher remains essential to the long-term health of Christ’s church.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Corinthians 1:27, Isaiah 55:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ordinary Means Of Grace

Stop Multi Tasking: It Makes You Dumber (And 4 Ways To Improve)

By Charles Stone on Feb 1, 2022

A study done at the University of London found that constant emailing and text-messaging reduces mental capability by an average of ten points on an IQ test.

Tags: Science, Wisdom, leadership, multi tasking, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Making The Move To Noteless Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jul 7, 2021

Preachers can move from full manuscripts to notes or even no notes by simplifying structure, relying more on the text, and practicing intentional oral delivery.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

The Post-Sermon Bible Test

By Peter Mead on Jan 11, 2024

Good preaching doesn’t end when the sermon ends. It equips listeners to return to the text, understand it, desire it, and handle it for themselves in the days ahead.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, preaching

8 Ways To Hook Your Congregation Into Your Message

By SermonCentral .com on May 12, 2020

Your sermon text is central, but it doesn’t always need to come first. Strong hooks help listeners connect their lives to Scripture before exposition begins.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 24:27, Ecclesiastes 12:10

Tags: Bird, Preaching, Anxiety, Field, flowers, preaching, anxiety  (view more)  (view less)