In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Illustrations"

9 Lies Pastors Believe While They’re Preaching

By Ben Reed on Sep 7, 2020

Pastors battle pride, insecurity, and distraction in the pulpit. Here are nine common lies and a call back to humility and faithfulness.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Galatians 1:10, James 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

A Modest Proposal: Less Sermon Prep In Favor Of More Time Making Disciples?

By Bill Couchenour on Sep 6, 2021

Is it possible to reach the U.S. for Jesus in less than a decade by cutting sermon prep time in half?

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-28

Tags: Jesus, Outreach, Preaching, Disciples, sermon prep, Sermon Prep  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Get Nervous Before You Preach?

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Feb 19, 2022

Even skilled, prepared, and experienced preachers get nervous at preaching time. If they do not, they should.

Tags: Preaching, Anxiety, Pray, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 6—engage The Heart (Emotion)

By Charles Stone on Nov 17, 2021

Engage the heart is the sixth instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 11:35, Luke 10:21

Tags: Preaching, pastor, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, neuroscience, preaching, sermonprep  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of Multisensory Preaching

By Rick Blackwood on Jun 2, 2020

Multisensory preaching engages more of the listener, increases clarity and retention, and can reignite your joy in teaching by making sermons more vivid and memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Church, Communication, Preaching, pastor, wake up, Cohabitation, illustration, Clarity, time is at hand, Homiletics, Awake, Dress Properly, adult children, Communication General, God's dwelling place, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, communication, preaching, church, sermon preparation, Teaching Tools, Pastoral Communication, Creative Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Using Contextualized Language

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 18, 2024

This article is the third of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, Acts 17:16-34

Tags: Preaching, Context, Speaking, sermon prep, The Apostle Paul, Sermon Prep, preaching, context, speaking, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Communicating With Confidence When People Distrust Pastors

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 20, 2024

This article is the fifth of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, pastor, Holiness, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching, holiness, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Make Your Sermons More Memorable

By Charles Arn on Nov 24, 2020

Research has found that we remember less than 10 percent of the unsupported spoken word.

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-11, Matthew 13:34, Mark 4:33, Luke 24:27, Nehemiah 8:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, teach, Retention, Improve, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Pulpit Plagiarism: How Preachers Can Use Sources Without Stealing

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Dec 8, 2020

Faithful preaching often leads pastors to similar conclusions from Scripture. But using sources wisely differs greatly from plagiarizing another preacher’s sermon.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Exodus 20:15, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, work, Plagiarism, original, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach Without Notes

By Ted Smith on Dec 9, 2020

Every preacher will eventually need to preach without notes. Learn three practical approaches that help pastors communicate clearly and confidently when notes are unavailable.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Timothy 4:13, Hebrews 4:12, Acts 4:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, teach, memorize, note, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 4—free Up Working Memory (Capacity)

By Charles Stone on May 27, 2024

Free up Working Memory is the fourth installment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Tags: Preaching, memory, sermon, Capacity, Sermon, neuroscience, preaching, sermonprep, capacity  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 8—reinforce Life Application (Transfer)

By Charles Stone on Jan 4, 2024

Reinforce Life Application is the final instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: James 1:22

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, Preacher, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, neuroscience, preaching, preacher, church, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

3 Mistakes Pastors Make With Commentaries

By Peter Mead on May 6, 2025

Commentaries help with study, not sermon writing. Avoid atomized thinking, over-quoting, and needless citations to keep preaching clear and transformative.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 17:11, 1 Timothy 4:13-16

Tags: Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, Commentary, Bible Study, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, bible study, preaching, Sermon prep, commentary  (view more)  (view less)

A Road To Somewhere

By Don Ballard on Jul 25, 2024

How can pastors apply Stephen Covey's principle, 'Begin With the End in Mind', to the area of preaching and teaching the Bible?

Scripture: Romans 10:14-15

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Purpose, goals, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 5—stimulate Long-Term Memory (Durability)

By Charles Stone on Jun 1, 2024

Stimulate Long-Term Memory is the fifth instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 2:49

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, pastor, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, neuroscience, preaching, long term memory, teaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)