In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Uses"

Because Of Your Gifts Or In Spite Of Them: God Speaks Through Preaching

By Stephanie J. Spencer on Dec 1, 2019

"God uses broken vessels to shine His light. I believe He can speak through me because of my gifts or in spite of my gifts, depending on the circumstance."

Tags: Inadequacy, broken vessel, preaching, Preaching

What Not To Say When Someone Dies

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 2, 2024

There is a danger turning faith into fairy tale for our own comfort. At the same time it may help us to approach someone with biblical truths after we understand their line of thinking.

Tags: Death, Comfort, Preaching, Funeral, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Not A Fan: The Hard Words Sparked A Church-Wide Revival

By Kyle Idleman on Jan 12, 2025

A preacher’s honest reckoning with crowd-pleasing sermons led to a bold call for true discipleship, sparking repentance, revival, and hundreds of unexpected baptisms.

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Love, Baptism, Jesus, Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Preaching, Disciples, revival, Church Growth, follower, preaching, church, love, Gospel call, Revival, Gospel Call  (view more)  (view less)

4 Steps From Good To Great Preaching

By Kenton C. Anderson on Feb 17, 2025

Great preaching consistently emerges when sermons are rooted in Scripture, clearly communicated, centered on Christ, and crafted to help hearers truly encounter God.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags:

The Secret To Memorable Preaching

By Larry Osborne on May 9, 2023

Linking small groups to weekend sermons increases attentiveness, note-taking, and application, turning preaching into lasting transformation rather than forgettable moments.

Scripture: Acts 2:42, James 1:22, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 10:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, Small groups, Great, preaching, Small Groups  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Secrets Of Poor Preaching

By Ken Collins on Sep 10, 2020

Here are a few tips for making your sermons truly lousy, eminently forgettable, and completely ineffective. Of course, you could choose to do the opposite.

Scripture: Titus 1:14, 1 Timothy 1:4

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How To Teach Old Testament Characters

By J.d. Greear on Feb 24, 2025

David’s life shows both the longing for a true King and the failure of every human ruler. His story presses us toward Jesus, the only King who never disappoints.

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: David, Christ As King, biblical theology, Biblical Theology, Old Testament Christology, Christ as King  (view more)  (view less)

Good & Bad Cases Of Church Discipline

By Ray Hollenbach on Mar 10, 2025

A real church incident exposes why believers distrust discipline. Yet Scripture shows discipline is meant to heal, not harm, calling us to restore one another with Christ’s presence.

Tags: pastoral care, Pastoral Care

Every Church Staff Team Needs A Little Bit Of Friction

By Brandon Cox on Nov 19, 2023

"Eliminate friction!!" That’s the goal most of us have when it comes to leading a team, or a church, or a company. But what if friction is actually the key to getting things moving in the right direction?

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Tags: leadership, strategy, conflict, Teamwork, Tension, pastoral leadership, Friction, Team Dynamics, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Improve Your Preaching In 5 Easy Steps Right Now

By Erik Raymond on Aug 17, 2020

Every preacher wants to get better. Erik Raymond offers five things you can do right away to impact your next sermon.

Tags: Preaching

Tony Evans On The Power In Preaching

By Tony Evans on Feb 18, 2024

Dr. Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas gives his thoughts on preaching to men, sermon preparation and staying fresh for the long haul.

Tags: Man, Preaching, Masculinity, manliness, Tony Evans, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Do We Have To Be Perfect To Preach?

By Dean Shriver on Feb 9, 2025

True preaching power comes not from technique but from integrity. When our lives align with the truth we proclaim, God uses both our words and our example to change lives.

Scripture: John 1:14

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, Pastoral Integrity, Christian Leadership, preaching, Spiritual Formation, Expository Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Jerry Rice And The Art Of Preaching Well

By Derwin Gray on Jun 25, 2024

Insights from Jerry Rice’s passion, self-awareness, and heroic mindset show preachers how to cultivate love, authenticity, and Gospel-centered confidence.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-19

Tags: Evangelism, Witness, Gospel, Sports, Preaching, Lost, football, Christian Witness, pastoral leadership, gospel ministry, evangelism, gospel, preaching, Pastoral Leadership, Gospel Ministry, Sermon Craft, Ministry Skills  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Hook Your Congregation Into Your Message

By SermonCentral .com on May 11, 2020

Your sermon text is central, but it doesn’t always need to come first. Strong hooks help listeners connect their lives to Scripture before exposition begins.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 24:27, Ecclesiastes 12:10

Tags: Bird, Preaching, Anxiety, Field, flowers, preaching, anxiety  (view more)  (view less)

10 Preaching Mistakes Everyone Can Avoid

By Jared Moore on Jun 8, 2020

If you want people leaving your sermon focused on God, avoid these common preaching mistakes. These ten pitfalls distract hearers from the text and diminish exposition.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, James 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Psalm 19:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, preaching, Preaching Mistakes