In Preaching Articles: "Sermon"

3 Must-Do’s Of A Strong Sermon Opening

By Lane Sebring on Aug 30, 2019

The first 90 seconds of your sermon are some of the most powerful seconds you have. Don’t waste them.

Tags: Preaching

Preaching On The Run: 7 Tips For Bi-Vocational Pastors

By Todd Hiestand on May 18, 2020

"My sermon prep is no longer about how many hours I 'spend studying.' With this approach, I genuinely believe that every hour of the week is sermon prep."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Preaching A Notable Sermon Without Using Notes

By Rev. Tejado Hanchell on Aug 19, 2020

"I believe every preacher should have at least one sermon in his heart that he could preach with or without notes if called upon at a moment's notice."

Tags: Preaching, memories, memorization, preaching

4 Fresh Sermon Topics For The Christmas Season

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 28, 2020

Some people think the Christmas verses are the stuff of Christmas pageants and cheesy dramas. They are also fuel for great preaching.

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-20

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, Dreams, God's sovereignty, family crisis, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What's The Big Idea Behind Your Sermon?

By Peter Mead on Jun 28, 2019

Ideas change lives. People give themselves to ideas. And Christianity is a content-based faith

Tags: Preaching

Start With A Bang! Crafting A Memorable Sermon Opener

By Tyler Scarlett on Feb 27, 2025

If you lose your congregation at the beginning, you will have to work twice as hard to get them back by the end. Why not give your message the best possible chance to connect with people at the outset?

Scripture: Titus 2:2, Titus 2:1-2, Philippians 4:10-15, Romans 13:11-14

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Introduction, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

1,000 Sermons Will Change Your Life

By Trevin Wax on Mar 26, 2020

Pastors, don’t underestimate the cumulative effect of your preaching. You are not dumping information into brains. You are forming the habits of your people, teaching them how to read and understand and apply the Bible for themselves.

Tags: Preaching, New life, preaching

6 Reasons To Preach The Same Sermon Twice

By Joe Mckeever on Apr 23, 2020

Joe McKeever: "Have fun preaching those repeats, pastor. At least this is one time you do not have to reinvent the wheel or discover fire all over again."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The Worst Thing About My Own Sermons

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 22, 2024

Joe McKeever loves praise as much as the next guy. He also knows the preaching error he is most likely to make.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Allowing The Spirit To Take Control Of Your Sermon

By Leslie Holmes on Apr 17, 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)

Four Christmas Sermons From The Life Of Joseph

By Ray Hollenbach on Dec 14, 2020

You could preach an entire Christmas series from the example of this one humble man.

Scripture: Matthew 1:19-20

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, Joseph, preaching

A Christmas Sermon 1,700 Years Old

By Brian Orme on Dec 17, 2024

Help can come from the most unexpected places: You can look to the Church Fathers to help prepare your Christmas message.

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, ancient, preaching

9 Powerful Ways To Introduce Your Sermon

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 10, 2025

Every athlete wants to start strong; why should your work be any different?

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 5:44-45, Luke 12:32-33, Psalm 23:4, Luke 2:13-14, Habakkuk 2:1-4, Mark 11:15-17, John 4:1-15, Luke 7:11-17, Acts 17:22-33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Emotions, Preaching, Introduction, Faithful, effective, Gate, post, Commit, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)

When To Throw Away Your Sermon Notes

By Ted Smith on Nov 13, 2020

Some preachers think it's more spiritual to preach without notes. Others think it's more spiritual to use notes. What if it's both?

Tags: Discernment, Preaching, neglect, habit, note, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Bait The Hook For Tomorrow's Sermon

By Bruce D. Johnson on Oct 5, 2019

Practical steps you can take each week to help move your listeners from here to there.

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Tags: Preaching, Obstacles, bait the hook, fears, preaching  (view more)  (view less)