In Preaching Articles: "Sermon"

Change Your Sermon By Changing Your Spices

By Erik Raymond on May 19, 2023

Are you constantly mining the same sources for your sermon illustrations?

Scripture: Psalm 38:1-10, Colossians 4:1-5

Tags: Read, Preaching, Devotional, Spices, Classic, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

How Can I Better Study A Bible Passage?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 27, 2022

“Think over what I say,” commands the Lord. How can a faithful student of the Bible do this without leaning on commentaries and scholars?

Scripture: Romans 1:15-17, 2 Timothy 2:7

Tags: Bible, Scripture, BIBLE STUDY, Bible Study, sermon prep, Study Scripture, Study Techniques, Feast on the Word, Sermon Prep, bible study, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Should Pastors Use Other People’s Sermons?

By Ron Forseth on Sep 3, 2024

Is using another preacher’s sermon always wrong? This article examines plagiarism, conscience, diligence, and trust to offer a biblical framework for sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 14:22-23, 1 Corinthians 10:29, James 3:1, Luke 12:48  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preparation, Speech, theft, Plagiarism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Every Sermon Needs A Strong Title

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Dec 11, 2021

Four solid reasons why a powerful title leads to a powerful sermon.

Tags: Choose, title

Where Do Your Sermons Point?

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 29, 2023

When you preach, do people see you or what you are talking about?

Tags: Preaching, points, michael curry, preaching

4 Ingredients Of A Home Run Sermon

By Rick Ezell on Feb 7, 2025

A home run sermon consistently delivers biblical substance, clarity, interest, and relevance. These four essential ingredients help preachers connect with real people.

Scripture: Mark 6:12

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, preparation, Religion, Relevance, pastoral leadership, practical ministry, preaching, teaching, Pastoral Leadership, Practical Ministry, Preaching Skills  (view more)  (view less)

Pride Comes Before A Bad Sermon

By Tim Raymond on Feb 23, 2026

By all means, do your best in the preparation and delivery of your messages, but leave the results entirely up to God.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18, James 5:17, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Galatians 6:2

Tags: Preaching, encouragement, Pride, preaching, Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Crafting A Strong Sermon: 10 Checkpoints

By Outreach Inc. on Aug 30, 2024

From prayer to practice, this pastoral reflection outlines a sermon preparation process shaped by reverence, responsibility, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Proverbs 21:31, Matthew 16:18-19, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Holy Spirit

How Long Should A Sermon Be?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 11, 2020

There is no universal sermon length. What matters most is clarity, focus, and the preacher’s ability to hold attention around one central point.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 14:8, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Communication, Preaching, preparation, Homiletics, Time, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Great Sermons Leave Out

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 14, 2020

Great sermons are not defined by how much is said, but by what is wisely left out. Clarity, restraint, and respect for listeners matter.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:2, Proverbs 10:19, Matthew 5:37, 1 Corinthians 14:8, Nehemiah 8:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, preaching

Would A Ten-Minute Sermon Work?

By Ed Cyzewski on Aug 1, 2020

One parishioner said, "If a sermon were a practical, 10-minute exposition of scripture, I’d be happy." Would you be happy, Pastor?

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Hebrews 10:24-25, John 6:35  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communion, Preaching, preaching

How God Saved My Sermon

By Steve Fuller on Sep 5, 2024

Even careful sermon preparation can fall apart. This reflection shows how prayer, humility, and trust in God’s promises bring clarity when anxiety sets in.

Scripture: James 4:1-2, James 1:5, Psalm 127:1, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Timothy 2:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, dependence on God, preaching, Dependence on God

Five Friends Every Sermon Needs

By Erik Raymond on Aug 18, 2020

Preachers grow through practice. These five delivery tools—imagery, questions, engagement, transparency, and tension—can immediately strengthen sermons.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25, Colossians 3:13, 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Communication, Preaching, communication, preaching

9 Ways To Preach A Lousy Sermon

By Ben Reed on Aug 26, 2020

Want to sabotage your preaching? Neglect prayer, ignore the text, avoid vulnerability, and heap burdens on your people.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, James 3:1, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Faith, Fear, endurance, Preaching, prosper, preaching  (view more)  (view less)