In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Illustrations"

Does Your Preaching Draw A Line From The Bible To Real Life?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 2, 2023

Every sermon should ask the people for some sort of response, a response in real life.

Tags: Bible, Preaching, Homiletics, real life, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Joe Mckeever: 3 Vital Reasons To Tell Stories In Your Preaching

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 10, 2025

There are a thousand reasons for dropping the occasional story into your sermon, pastor. Here are the top three.

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-16

Tags: Preaching, storytelling, stories, preaching

Thanksgiving And The Will Of God: A Preacher's Guide

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 23, 2025

Thanksgiving sermons can sometimes sound like such a scolding, but guilt is a terrible motivation for giving thanks.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Tags: Thanksgiving, Thanks, motivation, guilt

Double-Check These Components Before You Preach Tomorrow

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 6, 2021

There are certain elements that must be included in every single sermon that we ever preach. They are non-negotiable.

Tags: Fellowship, Communion, Preaching, Quiet time, time in the word  (view more)  (view less)

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

9 Things We Can All Learn From Billy Graham's Preaching

By Dennis Phelps on Jul 2, 2021

Someone asked Billy Graham how long it took to prepare a sermon. He answered, "A lifetime."

Tags: Preaching, prepare, Billy Graham

10 Must-Have Tips For Giving A Public Invitation

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 16, 2023

Every preacher needs these practical insights if he/she plans to offer a time of response after the sermons.

Tags: Preaching, Invitation, public, Speaking, preaching, speaking  (view more)  (view less)

9 Things We Can All Learn From Billy Graham's Preaching

By Dennis Phelps on Oct 21, 2025

Someone asked Billy Graham how long it took to prepare a sermon. He answered, "A lifetime."

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:1-2, 1 Corinthians 2:2

Tags:

Three Types Of Bad Preaching (And Their Remedies)

By Chris Pascarella on Jun 8, 2022

What if there was a way to identify bad preaching? Having grown up in church, I have probably listened to over 1,000 sermons in my lifetime. In all my time listening to (and now delivering) sermons, I have heard three types of bad preaching:

Scripture: Luke 12:22

Tags: preaching tips, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, effective preaching

Preach Like A Blade, Not An Anvil

By Peter Mead on Sep 15, 2024

Some sermons overwhelm without penetrating. Faithful preaching carries the weight of Scripture but delivers it with the sharp focus of a blade.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, Jeremiah 23:29, Ecclesiastes 12:11, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, living word, Sword, Impact, anvil, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Pulpit Abuse: What It Is And How To Stop It

By Calvin Miller on Sep 22, 2024

Preachers must guard against hijacking sermons with hobbies, grievances, politics, or personal therapy instead of proclaiming Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 24:28, 2 Timothy 4:2, James 3:1, Colossians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Christ Centered, preaching

5 Easy (And Overlooked) Keys To Better Preaching

By Erik Raymond on Sep 29, 2021

"I have never met a preacher who did not want to increase the effectiveness of his sermon. The question is where to start?"

Scripture: Acts 1:1-21, Acts 15:6-19, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 2:42  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Plan, Preaching, preparation, Engage, Outline, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Everyone Else Is Preparing For Christmas--Are You?

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 18, 2025

It's not too early! Brandon Cox shares his ideas for a Christmas sermon series sure to connect with your congregation.

Tags: Christmas, Hope, Preaching, prepare, receiving, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Common Preaching Mistake: No Hook

By Bruce D. Johnson on Aug 25, 2023

Many sermons lose listeners in the first few minutes. Effective preaching begins by connecting the message to the real struggles and questions of the congregation.

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-24:5, Nehemiah 8:8, Matthew 13:34, Colossians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 9:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, Homiletics, interest, hook, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preach To The Ignorant, The Doubtful, And Sinners

By Mark Dever on Sep 3, 2024

Biblical application is not optional in expository preaching. Faithful sermons address ignorance, doubt, and sin by informing, urging belief, and calling for obedience.

Scripture: Romans 10:11-17, Proverbs 23:12, Galatians 4:19, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Teaching Scripture, preaching