In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Uses"

Getting Out Of The Sermon Prep Rut

By Matt Brough on Nov 16, 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: Preaching, problem, sermon prep, Preaching Rut, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 13, 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: Preaching, prepare, practice, Edit, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Chris Surber on Aug 25, 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: Preaching, sermon prep, venue, immerse yourself, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Peter Mead on Aug 22, 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, Balance, information, sermon prep, selective, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 20, 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: Soul, Preaching, Mind, need, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

There Is Something Else About Preaching...

By Guy Davies on Aug 29, 2024

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

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

3 Mistakes Pastors Make With Commentaries

By Peter Mead on May 6, 2025

Commentaries are resources for preachers, not sources for sermons. Watch out for these three pitfalls when using commentaries in your sermon prep and delivery.

Tags: Preaching, Prep, Commentary, preaching

Finish Your Sermon Strong: 10 Mistakes To Avoid

By Peter Mead on Oct 31, 2024

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

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

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

The Myth Of Spontaneous Preaching

By Lane Sebring on Oct 1, 2019

Some people think the work of the Holy Spirit is thwarted when the preacher makes an effort to improve his preaching.

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

4 Steps From Good To Great Preaching

By Kenton C. Anderson on Feb 18, 2025

For those of us who try to preach “good sermons” every week, it's useful to understand what it takes to connect with our listeners.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Preaching, preaching

A Good Sermon Feels Like A Good Story: 7 Minutes With Fred Craddock

By Fred Craddock on Nov 13, 2019

Fred Craddock literally wrote the book on preaching. He reminds us, "Movement is more important than structure."

Tags: Preaching, structure, Movement, Fred Craddock

Doing Ministry Without Losing Your Soul Part 1

By Lance Witt on May 13, 2024

"There is nothing worse than trying to inspire people to be passionate about God when you have little or no passion yourself. There is nothing more empty feeling than trying to connect people to God when you feel disconnected from God."

Tags: pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, soul care, avoiding burnout, church ministry, Growing in Faith, Christ's Love for Us, Healthy Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Without A Net: Delivering Sermons Without Notes

By Bruce Salmon on Mar 3, 2025

It's a high wire act, one of which OSHA would not approve — preaching without notes. Only the most extraordinarily gifted speaker can pull it off, or so I used to think. Find out why.

Tags: Church, Preaching, manuscript, Fear and Worry, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Groundbreaking Innovation Promotes Bible Reading And Study

By Keith Williams on Feb 23, 2024

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

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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

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

By Tony Evans on Feb 24, 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)