In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Engagement"

Spiritual Disciplines And The Sinkhole Syndrome

By Donald Whitney on Jan 22, 2022

As the pressures of life increase and more deadlines loom, it becomes harder to maintain time for the devotional life. And herein is where the erosion begins.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12, John 17:17, Luke 4:16, Matthew 14:23

Tags: Follow Jesus, Spiritual Maturity, Spiritual Discipline, Spiritual Failures, sermon spiritual  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Without A Net: Delivering Sermons Without Notes

By Bruce Salmon on Mar 3, 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)

8 Must-Have Elements Of Your Easter Sermon

By Josh Reich on Dec 11, 2024

Eternities and lives hang in the balance--here's a checklist to keep you grounded for this very important sermon.

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:23-31, Luke 24:1-12

Tags: Easter Resurrection, preaching, Easter, Preaching, Easter Good Friday  (view more)  (view less)

3 Things All Great Sermons Have In Common

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 14, 2020

The best part of my sermon message preparation is after it's written; what not to say is perhaps the most important part.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

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Are your dance moves timeless or hopelessly out of date?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: perfect, illustration, Preaching

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: ed stetzer, Truth, Preaching, the word

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: inspired by god, preaching, Scripture, Preaching, Word of God, mysterious ways  (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)