In Preaching Articles: "Sherman Cox"

Why Preachers Must Work At Their Preaching

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 2, 2021

Some believe that if a preacher is truly called, preparation and training are unnecessary. In reality, faithful preaching requires both divine calling and diligent effort.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Isaiah 55:11, 1 Corinthians 15:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, the word, pious, notion, preaching, teaching  (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

Don't Close Your Sermon Like That!

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 31, 2021

"Like meat, a great sermon makes its own gravy." Our job is to serve the whole meal.

Tags: Close

Preaching Can Be Bad News, Too

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 2, 2021

The fact of the matter is that the Kingdom of God is near. It is not good news to those who do not wish to give up all for the kingdom.

Tags: Preaching, Good News, Kingdom of God, bad news, kingdom of God, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is The Bible The Seasoning Or The Steak In Your Sermon?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jun 19, 2025

"I have a sermon; maybe you can help me find a Scripture so that I can preach it."

Tags: Bible, Preaching, seasoning, e, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

One-Sided Preaching Misrepresents God: How Many Sides Does Your Preaching Have?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 11, 2023

"Great preaching recognizes that God has called the preacher to be both a prophet and a priest."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15-19

Tags: Prophet, Preaching, priest, preaching

Does Your Preaching Draw A Line From The Bible To Real Life?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 3, 2023

Every sermon should ask the people for some sort of response, a response in real life.

Tags: Bible, Preaching, Homiletics, real life, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Preaching Prepare People For God's Kingdom?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 30, 2025

We often fall into the trap of preaching designed to merely provide tools to become more successful in this present world rather than becoming ambassadors of the coming Kingdom.

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, prepare, Confront, God's Kingdom, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Your Preaching Should Be Out Of This World--Seriously

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 25, 2024

Beware of preaching that merely provides tools to help us become better situated in this present world rather than helping us to become ambassadors of the coming Kingdom.

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, Poverty, Debate, Confront, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Does The Pulpit Need Orators Or Prophets?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 18, 2023

We've all seen preachers who think that they can get away with oratorical talent rather than Spirit-led inspiration.

Tags: Prophet, Preaching, Talent, john the baptist, orator, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Doctrine Is Not Enough: Does Your Preaching Connect With People?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 21, 2023

Doctrinal sermons are fine, but do they connect to human experience?

Tags: people, Preaching, Doctrine, connection, homiletical, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

No Pressure: Great Preaching Must Connect Worlds Separated By Time And Space

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 18, 2021

Helping people understand the Scripture in its native Bible world is not enough. We must help people to experience it.

Scripture: Genesis 15:8-21

Tags: Bible, Preaching, guest preaching, lecture, bible story  (view more)  (view less)

Have You Prayed—really Prayed—before Preaching?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 5, 2021

"I would ask if you have prayed, but you will say you have. And you have."

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Preaching, Pray, Powerful, Generate, exegetical  (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)

Are You Preaching For The Easy Shout?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 1, 2025

We want to give people hope, but why should we shield them from the pain of living?

Scripture: Matthew 23:33-36

Tags: pain, Hope, Preaching, shout, preaching, Pain  (view more)  (view less)