In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Preparation"

How To Confuse A Sermon

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 2, 2023

It's happened to all of us: you're preaching, and a new thought pops into your head. Do you add an "aside" to your sermon?

Tags: Power, Preaching, points, aside, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Perfect Length For A Sermon

By Thom Schultz on Nov 25, 2020

Why do preachers attempt to manufacture lectures that fill the identical time allotment week after week?

Tags: Preaching, length

The Hardest Part Of A Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 23, 2021

The Lord gives His message to those who seek Him, who wait upon Him, who are willing to do His will.

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-15

Tags: Preaching, difficult, hard, preaching

9 Preaching Mistakes You Must Avoid

By Julian Freeman on Jun 3, 2025

From preparation to delivery, keep an eye out for these preaching traps.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, Enough, preaching

When Preachers Intrude Too Much

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 22, 2024

Personal stories can help a sermon—but too much “me” distracts from Christ. This reflection warns preachers to minimize self and elevate the Savior.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5, Psalm 141:3, John 3:30, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 1 Peter 4:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Self examination, Sermon Craft, Self Examination

Seven Key Reasons People Choose A Church

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 10, 2022

Why did you choose to come to this church?

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47

Tags: Church, Children, Volunteerism, good sermon, church  (view more)  (view less)

How I Write A Sermon

By Bruce Frank on Aug 17, 2020

Bruce Frank, lead pastor of of Biltmore Baptist Church, one of the top 50 fastest-growing churches in America, shares his sermon prep process.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Heart, Study, repent, circumcise, Sword, Reject  (view more)  (view less)

What Makes A Sermon Good?

By Duane K Kelderman on Aug 2, 2024

Great sermons are clear, biblical, and transformative. They communicate well, faithfully proclaim Scripture, and lead listeners toward deeper obedience and faith.

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-10, 1 Chronicles 1:1

Tags: Worship

The Post-Sermon Bible Test

By Peter Mead on Jan 11, 2024

Good preaching doesn’t end when the sermon ends. It equips listeners to return to the text, understand it, desire it, and handle it for themselves in the days ahead.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, preaching

5 Places To Find A Sermon

By John Mcclure on May 13, 2020

Preachers rarely stumble into good sermons. They must look for them. Here are five reliable places to find a sermon idea, on the text, behind it, before it, within it, and through today’s moment.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 4:19, John 3:16, James 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Biblical Interpretation

Extend The Life Of Your Sermons

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 18, 2020

Most sermons vanish after the Lord's Day, but simple strategies can turn them into long-term discipleship tools. Make them accessible, searchable, shareable, and reusable.

Scripture: Isaiah 55:11, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 17:11, Psalm 119:105  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching Strategy

Tear Your Sermon In Half

By John Mcclure on Jun 26, 2020

Many sermons lose momentum before they ever begin. These common sermon “wind-ups” drain energy, bury the message, and delay clarity, often by several unnecessary minutes.

Scripture: Acts 13:1-17, Acts 12:1-14, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Expository Preaching, preaching, expository preaching

Good Sermons Start With Listening

By Mary Hinkle Shore on Jan 17, 2024

Faithful sermons are born not from noise or haste, but from careful listening to Scripture, people, and language itself.

Scripture: John 12:20-33, James 1:19, Luke 24:27, Nehemiah 8:8, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Listen, BIBLICAL TEACHING, preaching, Biblical Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Avoiding Sermon Series Mistakes

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 30, 2020

Well-planned sermon series can engage the unchurched, but common mistakes often drain momentum and miss evangelistic opportunities.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:22, Colossians 4:5-6, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 17:22-23, Romans 10:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Truth, Preaching, repentance, eternal life, New Way, Repentance, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Handle Homosexuality In A Sermon

By Tim Wilkins on Oct 1, 2021

Faithful preaching on homosexuality requires more than correct doctrine. It demands humility, clarity, and gospel-shaped compassion that leads sinners to Christ.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-13, Matthew 2:9-15, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Acts 20:27, 1 Peter 3:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Preaching, motivation, Homosexuality, counsel of god, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)