In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Introduction"

You Won't Believe What Many Pastors Leave Out Of Their Sermons

By Peter Mead on Jun 9, 2025

"Explain and apply" just isn't enough for modern preaching. Too often there's one crucial element missing.

Tags: Preaching, Omission, preaching

You Won't Believe What Many Pastors Leave Out Of Their Sermons

By Peter Mead on Jul 8, 2025

"Explain and apply" just isn't enough for modern preaching. Too often there's one crucial element missing.

Tags:

Ok, Your Sermon Is Complete, But Here's One Way To Improve Tomorrow's Delivery

By Nicholas Mcdonald on Sep 13, 2021

The content is solid and the application is spot on, but there's one more way to improve.

Scripture: John 17:1-11

Tags: Preaching, Confidence, slow down, Slow down

Don't Play Games With Scripture: 10 Checkpoints For Your Next Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 17, 2025

"Here are a few 'preacher games' I've noticed over the years, all of them being dishonorable and unworthy."

Tags: Preaching, unworthy, checkpoints, preacher games, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Illustrated His Sermons: Shouldn't We Follow His Example?

By Justin Trapp on Dec 28, 2024

Discover how one of our Lord's faous sayings was actually a vivid, up-to-date illustration.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

When Illustrations Become Sermon-Killers (And What To Do About Them)

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 5, 2025

The smart preacher never tells a story that clobbers his sermon and destroys the point he is trying to make.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

7 Bad Reasons Pastors Don't Share The Gospel In Every Sermon

By Greg Stier on Aug 14, 2023

In my interactions with pastors I’ve heard seven primary reasons for why some chose not to give the Gospel in every sermon.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-5

Tags: Evangelism, Gospel, Excuses, preaching Christ, evangelism, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Boost Your Preaching Creativity

By Brandon Kelley on Jul 4, 2022

Do you want more people to walk away from the church gathering and actually remember the big idea from your sermon? Of course you do. Who wouldn’t?

Scripture: John 3:36, Matthew 15:21

Tags: Preaching, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, poor preaching, Effective Teaching, Sermon Help, Teaching Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Essential Me-First Of Biblical Preaching

By Ken Burge on May 9, 2025

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

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

Doctrine Is Not Enough: Does Your Preaching Connect With People?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 21, 2023

Doctrinal sermons are fine, but do they connect to human experience?

Tags: people, Preaching, Doctrine, connection, homiletical, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Better Ingredients, Better Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jun 1, 2020

Even slight shifts in tone, focus, or structure can distort a sermon’s flavor. Guard the gospel, preach the text, and let Scripture, not your outline, set the menu.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Romans 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pastoral

10 Things You Can Do To Make Your Pastor’s Sermons Better

By Jared Moore on Nov 19, 2020

Most people would be surprised there's anything they could do to help. Why don't you tell them?

Scripture: James 1:21-22

Tags: Preaching, pastor, teach, Learning, Improve, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

1,700 Years Old And Still Fresh: St. Gregory Of Nazianzus' Christmas Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 16, 2025

The Eternal Word is ever new. Come celebrate with saints centuries old.

Scripture: Isaiah 17:1-14

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, eternal world, preaching

I Love Tv Shows, But I Don't Build My Sermons On Them

By Jonathan Malm on Feb 17, 2024

By all means we should connect with our listeners, but how we make that connection is a crucial choice.

Scripture: John 8:14-27

Tags: Preaching, permission, Reference, tv show, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Finally Break Through And Work Ahead On Sermon Prep: The Ultimate How-To

By Jeramie Rinne on Nov 26, 2024

Some gifted preachers can regularly craft solid sermons on an abbreviated schedule. But most of us mortals need ample time.

Tags: Preaching, Research, writer, rehearse, preaching  (view more)  (view less)