In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Uses"

If You Overpack Your Sermon, Your Listeners Are In For A Bumpy Ride

By Chris Surber on Aug 30, 2025

Perhaps your sermon outline is actually a sermon series. Can you tell the difference?

Scripture: Acts 5:15-25

Tags: Preaching, Content, Logic, Research, central point, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Difficult Texts In The Bible To Preach

By Joe Mckeever on May 22, 2023

The problem, of course, is not with Scripture. The problem is with us.

Scripture: John 2:3-5, Luke 4:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35, Hebrews 6:4-20

Tags: Study, Preaching, prepare, Assistance, difficult text, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching The Place Of The Church In God's Plan

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 24, 2020

When God graciously saves us, he also has a plan to plant and nurture us. The Father isn't in favor of theoretical family; he creates actual families of faith.

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Inject Grace Into Your Next Sermon—here Are Four Ways

By Dr. Scott M. Gibson on Oct 25, 2019

It's true: We can preach grace to the point of ignoring the truth. But that's not usually our problem.

Scripture: Micah 7:1-15

Tags: Grace, Truth, Preaching, communicate, tone  (view more)  (view less)

7 Popular Sermon Stories That Aren’t Actually True

By Trevin Wax on Feb 6, 2025

Pastors often repeat memorable illustrations that sound helpful but aren’t historically accurate. Here are seven common sermon legends worth retiring for the sake of truth.

Scripture: Mark 10:25

Tags: Preaching, Integrity, false teaching, urban legend, Illustrations, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Your Sermon Needs More Encouragement And Less Guilt

By Peter Mead on Mar 25, 2020

Preachers often mistake exhortation, guilt, or enthusiasm for encouragement. True encouragement brings hope and strength, shaping hearts far more effectively.

Scripture: Proverbs 29:25, Romans 15:4-5

Tags: Preaching, encouragement, Church Growth, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth, Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Half-Bake Your Sermon: Part 2

By Peter Mead on Aug 14, 2024

Preaching suffers when structure is imposed, cross-references take over, application is neglected, or commentary replaces proclamation. Let the text lead.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Jeremiah 23:29, Luke 24:32, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Preaching, Text, preparation, Homiletics, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

7 Must-Ask Questions For Your Next Sermon Series

By John Percival on Sep 15, 2020

Powerful questions to ask yourself during the sermon preparation process.

Tags: Preaching, preparation, preaching

Do We Owe Every Wedding Ceremony A Fresh Sermon?

By Nathan Aaseng on Jun 5, 2023

The challenge is to make the wedding couple feel that the homily is not just a canned one, pulled out of the file and dusted off for the 35th time.

Tags: Wedding, Fresh, Preaching, preaching

Ten Strategic Insights Into Shaping Your Next Sermon Series

By Herbert Cooper on Jan 28, 2023

Herbert Cooper, senior pastor of People's Church in Oklahoma City, shares strategic insights into making a sermon series work.

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How Does A Sermon Differ From A Self-Help Video?

By Peter Mead on May 16, 2023

When you finish preaching, where is your listeners' final focus? The answer makes all the difference.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

Tags: Preaching, Self, focus, preaching

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 23, 2025

Beyond the weekly phrase, "Good word, Preacher," the spiritual lives of the people in your church provide excellent feedback regarding the effectiveness of your preaching.

Tags: believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation, spiritual health, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Have The Courage To Tear Your Sermon In Half?

By John Mcclure on Oct 29, 2024

Overcome slow starts by taking a knife to your opening!

Tags: Preaching, advice, rehash, cutting room, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Differences Between Borrowing And Stealing Someone Else's Sermon

By James Emery White on Sep 27, 2021

Good communicators borrow material all the time. But how should you communicate your sources of ideas and inspiration?

Tags: Steal, Preaching, Borrow, Plagiarism, Quotes  (view more)  (view less)

4 Remarkable Discoveries From 263 Interviews About Sermons

By Ron Allen on Oct 4, 2021

It seems like a no-brainer, yet preachers rarely seek direct input from listeners about how we might improve our preaching.

Scripture: Philippians 1:5-10

Tags: Preaching, challenge, point of view, listener