In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Uses"

Getting Out Of The Sermon Prep Rut

By Matt Brough on Nov 15, 2024

One of the challenges for preachers who have been preaching for some time is that it is much easier to coast, to do less preparation and to simply rely on your experience.

Tags: Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, problem, sermon prep, Preaching Rut  (view more)  (view less)

Trust Your Stuff: Two Ways To Know When Your Sermon Is Ready

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 12, 2023

You could study and prep for 100 hours and still find something wrong with the sermon. Eventually, it's time to stand and deliver.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:20-30, Judges 6:1-16

Tags: sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, prepare, practice, Edit  (view more)  (view less)

How Can I Possibly Do Sermon Prep When I'm Just Not Feeling It?

By Chris Surber on Aug 24, 2025

God feels far away. Everybody at home is mad at you. Even the dog won’t talk to you. What do you do when you need to do sermon prep but you just aren’t feeling it?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:11-15

Tags: Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, sermon prep, venue, immerse yourself  (view more)  (view less)

The Final Piece Of Sermon Prep: What To Cut, What To Add

By Peter Mead on Aug 21, 2025

Rookie preachers wonder how they will fill the time. Experienced preachers know the real challenge is in what to leave out.

Scripture: Exodus 6:1-9

Tags: preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, Balance, information, sermon prep, selective, Sermon Prep  (view more)  (view less)

One Question That Can Ruin Your Sermon Prep—in The Best Way

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 19, 2023

If you have never asked yourself this question, you might end up preaching to the mind while steering totally clear of the soul.

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Tags: Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Soul, Preaching, Mind, need, sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

There Is Something Else About Preaching...

By Guy Davies on Aug 28, 2024

"Great biblical preaching and preparation are indispensable to the church."

Tags: preparation, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Holy Spirit, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Reasons I Don’t Use Negative 10-Point Lists In Preaching

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 26, 2019

A tongue-in-cheek commentary on a popular preaching style. Have you ever used it? How'd it work for you?

Tags: negative, criticism, preaching, Preaching, Criticism  (view more)  (view less)

Allowing The Spirit To Take Control Of Your Sermon

By Leslie Holmes on Apr 16, 2025

Somewhere inside most of us who preach lingers the need to be in control. It's what we do best, but being in control is the worst thing we can be when it comes to preaching!

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preaching, Triune, Holy Spirit General, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Use Humor Like A Hammer (Plus 4 Other Great Preaching Tips)

By Chris Foster on Feb 4, 2024

The average attention span has dropped from 12 minutes to 5 minutes. If this is true, what does that mean for you as a communicator of the Gospel?

Scripture: Exodus 3:7-17, John 14:26

Tags: preaching, Preaching, humor, social media, storytelling  (view more)  (view less)

Ed Stetzer: Preach The Gospel, And Since It’s Necessary, Use Words

By Ed Stetzer on Oct 17, 2021

"Preach the gospel. Use words if necessary." There are two basic problems with this quote: One, Francis never said it, and two, the quote is not biblical.

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Tags: Preaching, earnest, understandable, st francis of assisi, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Finish Your Sermon Strong: 10 Mistakes To Avoid

By Peter Mead on Oct 30, 2024

Finishing a sermon is neither easy nor natural. Here's help!

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-16, Exodus 6:9-12

Tags: conclusion, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, mistakes, avoid, Finish  (view more)  (view less)

3 Tests Of Plagiarism: Do Your Sermons Pass Them?

By Ron Forseth on Feb 24, 2023

"Should we use someone else's sermon?" I would say that in many, many cases, the answer can legitimately be "Yes."

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism, Quotes, citation, e, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Groundbreaking Innovation Promotes Bible Reading And Study

By Keith Williams on Feb 22, 2024

New tech helps pastors and church leaders promote biblical literacy and reading the Bible regularly.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: bible study, sermon writing, Sermon prep, Bible Study, Tyndale, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, filament, pastor, BIBLE STUDY  (view more)  (view less)

A Preacher's Cheat-Sheet For Prayer And Final Sermon Prep

By Tony Evans on Feb 23, 2024

Tim Challies relies on prayer and prep—but he doesn't leave it to his memory. Here's his cheat-sheet.

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-21

Tags: Preaching, Prayer, sermon prep, cheat sheet, tim challies, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Insights From Keller On Contextualizing

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 18, 2022

This article is the second of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Tags: sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, culture, context, Sermon prep, Preaching, Culture, Context, insight  (view more)  (view less)