In Preaching Articles: "Speak Truth In Love"

Cut Off Your Hand, Tear Out Your Eye

By Ray Ortlund on Aug 3, 2022

Hard words are not harmful words—when they come from Jesus. The real Jesus loves us enough to accept us freely and confront us honestly.

Scripture: Colossians 2:23, Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 13:21, Matthew 5:6, Titus 2:11-12, Hebrews 12:4, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Matthew 5:29-30  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, soul care, Hard Teaching

When A Private Apology Is Not Enough

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 15, 2022

"Nothing is so lovely and so welcome and so healing in a church as for a member to go before the congregation and admit to his/her destructive behavior and ask for forgiveness."

Tags: Humility, Reconciliation, repentance, restitution, Confession of Sin, church ministry, Apology, Making things right, Admitting Guilt, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Why Illustrations Make Preaching Unforgettable

By Dr. Larry Moyer on May 22, 2020

Illustrations turn speakers into communicators. They clarify truth, reveal the preacher’s understanding, awaken attention, and help listeners see biblical realities clearly.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, John 6:44, Matthew 13:34, Proverbs 25:11, Psalm 78:2  (view more)  (view less)

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

John Piper: My View Of Preaching

By John Piper on Aug 21, 2024

True preaching is expository exultation explaining the Bible and exulting over its truth. This vision shapes the church, fuels worship, and carries eternal weight.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Nehemiah 8:8, Psalm 119:18, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 10:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

Bold Preaching: The Surprising Connection Between Amos And Us

By Nathan Aaseng on Jan 14, 2026

This article challenges preachers to reflect on whether they resemble Amos or the court prophets, and urges courage in proclaiming hard truths from God’s Word.

Tags: Preaching, Prophetic Preaching, preaching, Church and Culture, Courage in Ministry, Preaching Challenges  (view more)  (view less)

3 Essentials For Pastoral Preaching

By Rich Villodas on Jul 29, 2022

I think I’m starting to learn to preach not as a preacher but to preach as a pastor. There’s a world of difference between the two.

Tags: Scripture, Teaching, Preaching, preaching the Word, sermon prep, shepherding, Power in the Word, Applying Truth, Sermon Prep, Shepherding, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Has The Church Lost Its Passion?

By Jim Morgan on Mar 18, 2021

Passion is what we can’t keep inside. It spills over and can’t be contained. We love our kids – we can’t help but talk about them. We love our favorite sports teams – we talk about them first thing Monday morning at the water cooler. Christians love God more than anything else – He should constantly be on the tips of our tongues. Our passion for the Lord should be evident to all those around us. “Private Christian” should be an oxymoron – our faith should pour out through every fiber of our being.

Tags: Discipleship, passion, social justice, Sharing Your Faith

Slaves In Your Church’s Backyard

By David Batstone on Dec 14, 2022

Modern slavery hides in plain sight. These stories reveal how trafficking thrives worldwide and even locally, calling Christians to seek justice with persistent, sacrificial love.

Tags: Compassion, Culture, Slavery, Justice, traffic, injustice, Human Trafficking, abolition, culture, Modern Slavery, Abolition  (view more)  (view less)

Check Your Church's Outreach Heartbeat: Recovering A Passion For Outreach

By Kevin Harney on Mar 17, 2025

Every church shows a spiritual heartbeat. From flatline to rapid pulse, God desires a heart renewed by His love so that evangelism flows naturally and organically.

Scripture: Revelation 2:1

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Growth, Church Health, Spiritual Renewal, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

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)

Why Preaching Still Matters In A Postmodern Age Of Uncertainty

By Kenton C. Anderson on Jan 20, 2025

Preaching may seem arrogant in an age that distrusts certainty, yet God’s self-revelation turns human limitation into a vantage point for truthful witness.

Scripture: Leviticus 5:2-6

Tags: Revelation, Teaching, Preaching, pastor, Pride, Arrogance, Pastor, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Illustrations Matter In Preaching: Learning From Jesus’ Use Of Parables

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 15, 2024

Parables and illustrations bring preaching to life. These seven tests help pastors use stories wisely to clarify truth, reduce resistance, and make sermons memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 13:34, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Psalm 78:2, Luke 8:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Expository Preaching, expository preaching

Why Powerful Preaching Requires Getting Personal

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 24, 2023

Solid sermon structure matters, but preaching becomes powerful when pastors risk personal vulnerability and let real life carry biblical truth home.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Psalm 40:1-3, James 5:10-11, Romans 8:18-25, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Story, storm, Pastoral Ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Thinking About Quitting? 9 Hope-Filled Reminders

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 25, 2024

Someone asked me if I ever considered quitting when I was a pastor. My response was quick and truthful: “Yes. On the average about once a week.”

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Three Questions Every Small Group Ministry Must Answer

By James Emery White on Sep 22, 2022

"Regardless of the type of small group ministry you may have, there are three foundational questions that must be settled for maximum effectiveness and clear focus––yet seldom are. And they are foundational questions because they speak to the heart of your philosophy of ministry."

Tags: strategy, BIBLE STUDY, Small groups, Bible Study, Church Small Groups, Fellowship Group, Small Group Ministry, bible study  (view more)  (view less)