In Preaching Articles: "Self Importance"

Everyone's Least Favorite Preacher- The Cocky Kind

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 18, 2023

You’re sitting in his church listening to him preach. He’s not five minutes into the message before you realize Mr. Hotshot is appearing before you in the flesh. His words and mannerisms give him away.

Scripture: Isaiah 57:15, Micah 6:8, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 Peter 5:3, Isaiah 6:5, Matthew 18:3, 1 Peter 5:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility, Pride, Preacher, self importance, preacher  (view more)  (view less)

You Are Not The Story!

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 2, 2022

People should not leave the sermon having learned more about the preacher than Christ. When we stand to preach the word, we should prayerfully whisper to ourselves, “You are not the story.”

Scripture: Colossians 1:28, John 12:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:1-2

Tags: Pride, God's Story, self importance, Bible as a story

Prisoners Of Self: Incessant Autobiography In The Smartphone Age

By Tony Reinke on Jul 20, 2022

The man doting over a smartphone screen, scrolling through media with his fingertips, is like a gorilla meticulously picking out little bugs from his own hair. That was the subversive quip of anthropologist Thomas de Zengotita.

Scripture: Isaiah 14:12-13, Job 1:7, Job 2:2, Luke 10:18, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: social media, Cell Phone, Self Centeredness, Vanity, Technology, Appearance, Selfishness  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Important Word In The Bible?

By Lance Witt on Jul 20, 2023

In your opinion, what is the most important word in the Bible? And you can’t say God or Jesus.

Scripture: Luke 7:50, Exodus 33:12-23

Tags: Glory

The Most Important Ingredient For Rebuke

By Marshall Segal on Oct 31, 2022

"The recipe for good rebuke involves far more than one ingredient, but one ingredient may be the most important."

Tags: Christian Love, Biblical truth, pastoral leadership, rebuking sin, Repentance, repentance, Word of God, brotherly love, patience  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Real Gospel Change In A World Obsessed With Self-Improvement

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 6, 2025

True transformation is not moral effort but new life in Christ. Preachers must translate “change” into gospel terms, clarifying how God recreates, reshapes, and renews His people.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Change, Transformation, counsel, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

How Does A Sermon Differ From A Self-Help Video?

By Peter Mead on May 15, 2023

When you finish preaching, where is your listeners' final focus? The answer makes all the difference.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

Tags: Preaching, Self, focus, preaching

3 Reasons Good Preaching Is As Important As Ever

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 27, 2022

People love to tell you that preaching is irrelevant in this day and age. But contrary to this kind of thinking, good preaching does remain important. In fact, preaching remains as important as it has ever been.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Teaching God's Word, communication, preaching, Pastoral Ministry, faithful preaching, Value of Preaching, Modern Age, Busy Culture, Shepherd the Flock  (view more)  (view less)

4 Important Reasons To Give Yourself A Week Off

By Josh Reich on Nov 3, 2025

Yes: go ahead and take a Sunday off every once in a while. But Josh Reich says be smart about it.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Gird Your Preaching: 10 Supports

By Peter Mead on Nov 14, 2020

Many beloved Bible stories are familiar, yet structurally critical passages often remain neglected. Faithful preaching must strengthen the church’s grasp of Scripture’s load-bearing texts.

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-9, Genesis 15:6, 2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 110:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Preaching, important, entire, prevent, preaching, bible  (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

Have We Forgotten The Most Important Way To Apply Our Preaching?

By Peter Mead on Mar 1, 2026

Peter Mead explains why "preaching for Monday morning" is not the most important application in your sermon.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

12 Things I’d Tell My 25-Year-Old Self (About Life And Leadership)

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 18, 2024

There are so many things I would do the same, but there are more than a few things I’d do differently.

Tags: leader, passion, godly character, productivity, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, church leadership, Leader, Security  (view more)  (view less)

3 Important Reasons Why You Should Preach On Thanksgiving A Month Early

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 22, 2020

Everyone knows they're supposed to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day, but the heart-attitude won't kick in by magic; it has to be cultivated.

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Tags: Thanksgiving, Preaching, Thankfulness, gratitude, holiday stress  (view more)  (view less)

The Essential Me-First Of Biblical Preaching

By Ken Burge on May 8, 2025

Are you afraid to use yourself as the example for your sermon?

Tags: Preaching, Self, example, application, preaching  (view more)  (view less)