In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Planning"

Don't Kill Your Message!

By Carey Nieuwhof on Aug 11, 2025

What’s the difference between a sermon that flops and a sermon that people still buzz about years later?

Tags: Preaching, Lame, communicate, crash, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Peter Mead on Jun 8, 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 7, 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 12, 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 16, 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)

A Good Sermon Feels Like A Good Story: 7 Minutes With Fred Craddock

By Fred Craddock on Jan 15, 2026

Fred Craddock literally wrote the book on preaching. He reminds us, "Movement is more important than structure."

Tags: Preaching, structure, Movement, Fred Craddock, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Justin Trapp on Dec 27, 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 4, 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 13, 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)

Hope And Perspective When We’re Dealing With Doubt

By Randy Alcorn on Dec 2, 2022

"In times of doubt, difficulty, and trials, our fundamental beliefs about God and our faith are revealed. So how can Christians find faith in the midst of doubt? How can they trust God’s plan when their lives seem out of His control, and prayers seem to go unanswered or, sometimes it feels, even unheard?"

Scripture: Romans 10:17, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11, 2 Timothy 3:16, Job 23:10, Isaiah 43:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: doubt, Perseverance, suffering, tragedy, Promises of God, Genuine Faith, Test of Faith, sovereignty of God  (view more)  (view less)

Why "Just Preach The Gospel” Isn’t Enough

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 23, 2026

Preaching the gospel is essential, but not sufficient on its own. Learn why living the gospel and recognizing our interpretive filters are critical for authentic ministry.

Tags: christian living, preaching the gospel, Christian Living, Preaching the Gospel, Ministry Practice, Sermon Advice, Humble Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Boost Your Preaching Creativity

By Brandon Kelley on Jul 3, 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)

Paul Baloche: The Same Love

By Paul Baloche on Dec 22, 2023

Consider preaching on the topic of Paul Baloche's "The Same Love"--review a sermon at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-same-love-eric-johnson-sermon-on-worship-general-165682.asp.

Tags: Worship, Preaching, Worship General, preaching

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

By Jared Moore on Nov 18, 2020

Healthy congregations understand that preaching is not a performance to consume but a sacred moment to steward with prayerful participation and practical support.

Scripture: James 1:21-22, Acts 6:4, Hebrews 13:17, Galatians 6:9, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

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

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

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 15, 2025

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

Scripture: Isaiah 17:1-14

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, eternal world, preaching