In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Uses"

Why Sermon Transitions Matter More Than You Think

By Peter Mead on Dec 2, 2020

Strong sermons require more than good content. Clear transitions help listeners follow the message, maintain momentum, and understand how each point fits together.

Scripture: Proverbs 11:24, Galatians 5:1, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Timothy 4:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Preaching, transition, effective, conclusion, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Pastors Should Prepare Sermons Two Weeks In Advance

By Bob Hostetler on Sep 5, 2025

Preparing sermons weeks in advance can strengthen ministry, increase creativity, and reduce last-minute stress for pastors and church teams.

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22, 2 Timothy 4:2, Proverbs 21:5, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Colossians 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, advance, preaching, Preaching Church

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

What To Do With Feedback From Sunday's Sermon—10 Lifelines

By Peter Mead on Aug 19, 2025

Not all feedback is created equal. How you handle it can shape your preaching.

Scripture: Job 31:1-10, Acts 3:10-17

Tags: Preaching, Reality, Lifeline, Feedback, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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)

Your Preaching Should Be Out Of This World--Seriously

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 25, 2024

Beware of preaching that merely provides tools to help us become better situated in this present world rather than helping us to become ambassadors of the coming Kingdom.

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, Poverty, Debate, Confront, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why The Cross Is Not Enough

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 24, 2021

Preaching the cross is powerful and necessary, but there is more for us to say.

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Cross, Enough, Powerful, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

One Vital Preaching Skill That Just Can't Be Faked: Do You Have It?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 15, 2025

Brandon Cox challenges us to ask ourselves the tough questions about a core value.

Tags: Preaching, prepare, listener, orator, preaching skill, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When The News Intrudes

By Eric Reed on Jan 6, 2025

Pastors must navigate public tragedy with discernment, comforting emotions, anchoring people in Scripture, and knowing when to speak and when to wait for true clarity.

Tags: Church, Preaching, Culture, Difficulties, disaster, media, pastoral leadership, Trials, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, culture, Biblical wisdom, sermon preparation, Pastoral Leadership, Crisis Preaching, Cultural Discernment, Biblical Wisdom  (view more)  (view less)