In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Bumpers"

3 Reasons I Began Using A Sermon Manuscript

By Jeff Medders on Aug 20, 2020

"I used to always enter the pulpit with outline in hand; but no longer. I now preach from a full manuscript — 2,500 words or so."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Mark 6:1-8

Tags: Preaching, manuscript, Outline

5 Reasons People Check Out Of Your Sermons

By Patrick Holden on Sep 3, 2020

Five common mistakes any speaker can make--or learn how to avoid.

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Derwin Gray: I Prepare My Sermons By Dancing

By Derwin Gray on Dec 16, 2020

Are your dance moves timeless or hopelessly out of date? Pastor Derwin Gray has five suggestions.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Tags: Preaching, dance, teach, preaching

New Poll: What's The Average Length Of Sermon Prep?

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 16, 2021

LifeWay's Thom Rainer took a Twitter poll to see how much time most preachers give to sermon preparation. Where do you fall on the scale?

Tags: preparation, average, Prep, Time

Don't Close Your Sermon Like That!

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 31, 2021

"Like meat, a great sermon makes its own gravy." Our job is to serve the whole meal.

Tags: Close

How To Find The Perfect Sermon Illustration Every Time

By Bruce D. Johnson on Dec 19, 2019

The point of an illustration is to provide "a window to the soul." Here is one man's soul-opening method.

Tags: Preaching, perfect, illustration

How 450 Sermons Revealed Four Preaching Truths

By Ed Stetzer on Sep 1, 2021

LifeWay Research discovered four common factors in good preaching. Are they part of yours?

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12

Tags: Truth, Preaching, the word, ed stetzer

Four Time-Tested Ways To Outline Your Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 31, 2023

Brandon Cox reminds us of proven methods--and supplies a new one of his own.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-10, 1 Samuel 1:11-20, James 3:1-18

Tags: Preaching, Outline, brandon cox, preaching, Time Tested  (view more)  (view less)

Four Sharp Questions To Whittle Your Sermon Into Shape

By Tyler Scarlett on Jul 21, 2025

The sermon's not done until you sharpen the point. Here are four excellent ways to do it.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22-24

Tags: Preaching, points, Sharpen, preaching

God Works In Mysterious Ways—through Your Sermon!

By Danny Macmunn on Aug 27, 2021

Sometimes even the messenger is surprised at what the people hear.

Scripture: Mark 15:1-18, 2 Timothy 2:1-15

Tags: Scripture, Preaching, Word of God, mysterious ways, inspired by god, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Listen To Your Sermon Just Before You Preach

By Mark Mohler on Dec 4, 2024

Sermons are not made for paper--they're made for the human ear. Have you tried listening to yours?

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-2

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Creativity, call to action, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Make Your Sermons Sticky With Just Three Words

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 8, 2021

Could it possibly be just this simple? Karl Vaters offers a startling suggestion.

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28, Exodus 3:1-15

Tags: Message, Preaching, How to pray, sticky, karl vaters, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Last-Minute Tips To Avoid An Ineffective Sermon

By Ken Collins on Oct 2, 2024

Check what you have planned for tomorrow--can you avoid these all-too-common traps?

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Preaching, aim, lecture, irrelevant, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

True Story: The Guinness Record For The World's Longest Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 11, 2019

Pastor Zach Zehnder of Cross Church began his quest on Friday, November 7, and by Sunday had preached for 53 hours and 18 minutes—Why?

Scripture: Lamentations 3:23

Tags: Preaching

How Long Should It Take To Prepare Your Sermon?

By Charles Stone on Oct 29, 2019

How could there be only one answer? Charles Stone suggests five factors to consider.

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Tags: Schedule, Study, Preaching