In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Points"

5 Ways To Shorten Your Sermon

By Peter Mead on Aug 19, 2024

Preaching time is limited, and sermons easily expand. These practical tips show how to trim intros, illustrations, context, conclusions, and post-sermon elements wisely.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:4, Ecclesiastes 5:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Edit, Time, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Crafting A Strong Sermon: 10 Checkpoints

By Outreach Inc. on Aug 29, 2024

From prayer to practice, this pastoral reflection outlines a sermon preparation process shaped by reverence, responsibility, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Proverbs 21:31, Matthew 16:18-19, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Holy Spirit

What Great Sermons Leave Out

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 13, 2020

Great sermons are not defined by how much is said, but by what is wisely left out. Clarity, restraint, and respect for listeners matter.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:2, Proverbs 10:19, Matthew 5:37, 1 Corinthians 14:8, Nehemiah 8:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, preaching

Would A Ten-Minute Sermon Work?

By Ed Cyzewski on Jul 31, 2020

One parishioner said, "If a sermon were a practical, 10-minute exposition of scripture, I’d be happy." Would you be happy, Pastor?

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Hebrews 10:24-25, John 6:35  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communion, Preaching, preaching

How God Saved My Sermon

By Steve Fuller on Sep 4, 2024

Even careful sermon preparation can fall apart. This reflection shows how prayer, humility, and trust in God’s promises bring clarity when anxiety sets in.

Scripture: James 4:1-2, James 1:5, Psalm 127:1, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Timothy 2:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, dependence on God, preaching, Dependence on God

Five Friends Every Sermon Needs

By Erik Raymond on Aug 17, 2020

Preachers grow through practice. These five delivery tools—imagery, questions, engagement, transparency, and tension—can immediately strengthen sermons.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25, Colossians 3:13, 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Communication, Preaching, communication, preaching

9 Ways To Preach A Lousy Sermon

By Ben Reed on Aug 25, 2020

Want to sabotage your preaching? Neglect prayer, ignore the text, avoid vulnerability, and heap burdens on your people.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, James 3:1, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Faith, Fear, endurance, Preaching, prosper, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach A Truly Forgettable Sermon

By Ken Collins on Sep 10, 2020

Seven common preaching mistakes can quietly sabotage clarity, engagement, and gospel impact if pastors are not careful.

Scripture: Titus 1:14, 1 Timothy 1:4, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

Creating A Church Culture Through Sermons

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 16, 2020

Pastors do more than teach Scripture. Through preaching, modeling, and prayer, they shape the shared culture and values of a congregation.

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-8, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:11-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preaching, preaching

The Secret Ingredient Your Sermon Is Missing

By Erik Raymond on Dec 28, 2025

Sound exegesis and strong delivery are not enough. Preaching becomes powerful when the preacher is personally moved by the glory of Christ in the text.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:4, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 1:3-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Worship, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Three Key Components Of A Solid Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 12, 2020

Every faithful sermon must include three essential components: God, the preacher, and the audience. Remove one, and preaching loses its power and purpose.

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14-15, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Timothy 4:16, Ezra 7:10, Matthew 28:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Biblical Leadership, preaching

6 Ways To Recycle Your Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on May 4, 2025

If you spend hours preparing a sermon, don’t let it live for only 40 minutes. Here are practical ways to extend your message throughout the week.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:13, Proverbs 25:11, Romans 10:17, Joshua 1:8, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Study, Preaching, resources, social media, church leadership, preaching, Resources, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Signs A Sermon Is (Almost) Over

By Jon Acuff on Oct 27, 2020

Ending a sermon is harder than starting one. Clear, intentional conclusions prevent confusion, whiplash, and rushed prayers.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Colossians 4:6, James 1:22, 1 Corinthians 14:40  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, pastor, End, Homiletics, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

I Write Stories During Sermons

By Carolyn C. Givens on May 11, 2021

"My soul cries out for modern parables that leave me thinking about the Creator of the Universe – the Storyteller whose words sustain and move the pieces of time and space."

Tags: Parable, Preaching, Story, Engage, narrative, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Five Ways To Improve Your Sermons

By Charles Arn on Nov 23, 2020

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

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-11, Jonah 1:1

Tags: Preaching, teach, Retention, Improve, preaching  (view more)  (view less)