In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Prep"

How To Find The Perfect Sermon Illustration Every Time

By Bruce D. Johnson on Dec 19, 2019

The point of an illustration is to provide "a window to the soul." Here is one man's soul-opening method.

Tags: perfect, illustration, Preaching

How 450 Sermons Revealed Four Preaching Truths

By Ed Stetzer on Sep 1, 2021

LifeWay Research discovered four common factors in good preaching. Are they part of yours?

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12

Tags: ed stetzer, Truth, Preaching, the word

Four Time-Tested Ways To Outline Your Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 31, 2023

Brandon Cox reminds us of proven methods--and supplies a new one of his own.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-10, 1 Samuel 1:11-20, James 3:1-18

Tags: Preaching, Outline, brandon cox, preaching, Time Tested  (view more)  (view less)

Four Sharp Questions To Whittle Your Sermon Into Shape

By Tyler Scarlett on Jul 21, 2025

The sermon's not done until you sharpen the point. Here are four excellent ways to do it.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22-24

Tags: Preaching, points, Sharpen, preaching

God Works In Mysterious Ways—through Your Sermon!

By Danny Macmunn on Aug 27, 2021

Sometimes even the messenger is surprised at what the people hear.

Scripture: Mark 15:1-18, 2 Timothy 2:1-15

Tags: inspired by god, preaching, Scripture, Preaching, Word of God, mysterious ways  (view more)  (view less)

Listen To Your Sermon Just Before You Preach

By Mark Mohler on Dec 4, 2024

Sermons are not made for paper--they're made for the human ear. Have you tried listening to yours?

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-2

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Creativity, call to action, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Make Your Sermons Sticky With Just Three Words

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 8, 2021

Could it possibly be just this simple? Karl Vaters offers a startling suggestion.

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28, Exodus 3:1-15

Tags: sticky, karl vaters, preaching, Message, Preaching, How to pray  (view more)  (view less)

7 Last-Minute Tips To Avoid An Ineffective Sermon

By Ken Collins on Oct 2, 2024

Check what you have planned for tomorrow--can you avoid these all-too-common traps?

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: irrelevant, preaching, Preaching, aim, lecture  (view more)  (view less)

True Story: The Guinness Record For The World's Longest Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 11, 2019

Pastor Zach Zehnder of Cross Church began his quest on Friday, November 7, and by Sunday had preached for 53 hours and 18 minutes—Why?

Scripture: Lamentations 3:23

Tags: Preaching

How Long Should It Take To Prepare Your Sermon?

By Charles Stone on Oct 29, 2019

How could there be only one answer? Charles Stone suggests five factors to consider.

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Tags: Schedule, Study, Preaching

7 Helps Every Wedding Sermon Should Contain

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 30, 2025

"What words of lasting value and incredible help can you utter during the ceremony that will make a difference down the road a year or two or ten?"

Scripture: Psalm 66:1-20

Tags: Preaching, preaching

7 Ways To Keep Teenagers Listening To Your Sermons

By Brandon Hilgemann on Aug 14, 2019

Engaging the short attention span of teenagers (and even adults!) isn't easy.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

3 Must-Do’s Of A Strong Sermon Opening

By Lane Sebring on Aug 30, 2019

The first 90 seconds of your sermon are some of the most powerful seconds you have. Don’t waste them.

Tags: Preaching

What Thom Rainer Learned About Sermon Length

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 16, 2019

Opinions about sermon length may differ, but they are intense.

Scripture: Isaiah 57:1-10, 2 Corinthians 13:1-10

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why Pastors Should Preach The Gospel In Every Sermon

By Greg Stier on Jul 18, 2023

Believe it or not doing something as simple as giving the Gospel in every sermon can literally transform your church.

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-28, Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:31-34, Acts 26:17-18, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, 2 Corinthians 5:11, Colossians 4:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communion, challenge, preaching the gospel, gospel invitation