In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Prepping"

Five Reasons I Preach—why Do You Preach?

By David Padfield on Sep 13, 2019

People today have very little respect for preaching—maybe it's because they don't know the purpose of preaching.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Tags: Preaching, Purpose, Respect, Sermon on the Mount

Make Your Sermon Unforgettable—three Keys

By Tim Coressel on Oct 8, 2019

From the moment you "close in prayer," that message you labored over for hours will begin to fade in the minds of your audience.

Scripture: Isaiah 11:6-9

Tags: Preaching, passion, Real, unforgettable sermon

Last-Minute Messages: How To Craft A Short Devotional With No Notice

By Rob O'lynn on Sep 7, 2021

"Hey, Pastor, could you say a few words..." Use this strategy to deliver short, meaningful talks with little or no prep time.

Scripture: Luke 19:1-19

Tags: Preaching, picture, passage, point

Secrets To Sermons On Giving

By Bob Russell on Jan 8, 2025

Bob Russell encourages pastors and preachers who tiptoe around the topic of giving.

Scripture: Mark 10:21

Tags: Faith, Money, Healing, Giving, Stewardship, Power, Preaching, miracles, Funeral, Homosexuality, Tithes, election, Tithing, labour, Giving General, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Gospel In Every Sermon

By Greg Stier on Feb 20, 2025

Greg Stier offers three reasons for sharing a clear Gospel message in every sermon.

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Tags: Evangelism, Gospel, Preaching, Invitation, Evangelism How To, evangelism, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Perfect Length For A Sermon

By Thom Schultz on Nov 7, 2020

When it comes to determining the perfect sermon length, we need to know the limitations of the medium.

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-4

Tags: Preaching, limit, length, preaching

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

On The Shoulders Of Giants: Sermon Preparation Resources For Pastors

By Matthew Redder on Sep 10, 2025

In this article, we’ll explore how pastors work with others—both living and long gone—to craft sermon content. We’ll reflect on the value of community, the discipline of study, and the humility that comes when we realize that our sermons are enriched by the wisdom of many.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Commentary, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, preaching, sermonprep, commentary, biblical dictionary, sermoncentral, sermonmaker  (view more)  (view less)

Avoid Crashing Your Sermon! Your Checklist For A Strong Sermon Closing

By Lane Sebring on Jan 27, 2020

If the closing of your message is disorganized and unclear, then your listeners will walk away feeling the same way about your message.

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-5, Genesis 1:26-27

Tags: Preaching, crash, Checklist, disorganized, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching Too Deep Or Too Shallow?

By Craig Groeschel on Feb 5, 2025

Craig Groeschel discusses the challenge of preaching with simplicity, practicality, and relevance while remaining spiritual enough to change lives.

Scripture: Hebrews 5:13

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, deep, Prep, Leadership General, e, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Joe Mckeever: My Worst Christmas Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 22, 2020

Joe McKeever, after 50 years of preaching: "I still approach the task with a sense of awe and inadequacy."

Tags: Preaching, Awe, Inadequacy, worst sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Saturday Nights Are Not For Sermon Planning

By Hans Wunch on Oct 9, 2019

You spent so much time this week at the hospital with church members, you thought about stopping by human resources to pick up a paycheck.

Scripture: Luke 23:43

Tags: leadership, Preaching, guidance, prepare, sermon planning  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching That Connects The Dots: The Cross, The Sermon And Discipleship

By Jeff K. Clarke on Nov 20, 2019

Personal identification and participation with Jesus marks the life of each disciple—past, present and future.

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, Cross, sermon, connect the dot  (view more)  (view less)