In Preaching Articles: "Spiritual Health"

Don’t Try And Improve On God’s Methods

By Ray Ortlund on Apr 22, 2024

True awakening or revival is a glorious season in the life of the church when for His glory alone, God causes the ordinary means of His grace to make an extraordinary impact on many people.

Scripture: Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:27-30, Isaiah 1:15, Luke 19:9-10, John 3:8, Matthew 11:28-30, Acts 2:47  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Prayer, revival, Church revival, spiritual awakening, grace  (view more)  (view less)

3 Reasons Why I Give My Listeners Homework (And Why You Should, Too)

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 20, 2025

When we ask something more of our congregation we will quickly discover whether we are preaching for spiritual entertainment or spiritual formation.

Tags: Discipleship

When To Throw Away Your Sermon Notes

By Ted Smith on Nov 12, 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)

What Does It Really Mean To "Go Deeper”?

By Alan Danielson on May 1, 2020

Alan Danielson offers his take on one of the most overrated comments in the church today.

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7, Colossians 2:7

Tags: Preaching, spiritual growth, Leadership, preaching, church, Thought, Church, leadership  (view more)  (view less)

What To Do When Your Preaching Turns Stale

By Peter Mead on Aug 13, 2025

On the dashboard of our ministry life, we need to have a light that flashes when we are preaching flat. What causes it? What should we do?

Tags: give thanks, stale, ministry life, spiritual dryness, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Scientifically Proven Skills That Make You A Better Leader

By Charles Stone on Mar 9, 2022

Mindfulness is a spiritual discipline akin to biblical meditation. It’s setting aside daily time to be still before God, to be in His presence in the present moment.

Tags: stress, leadership, Stress, Meditation, sound mind, Spiritual Discipline, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Five Strategic Advantages Of Small Churches

By Brandon O'brien on Feb 13, 2024

Brandon O'Brien offers five strengths that he believes are inherent in small congregations, which can leverage these characteristics for ministry success.

Tags: Church, Growth, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Small Church, Church General, Pastor, church  (view more)  (view less)

The Christian Virtue Of Love

By R. C. Sproul on Jul 21, 2022

From God’s perspective, love is the chief of all virtues. But what is love?

Scripture: Romans 5:5-8, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, Matthew 5:48, 1 John 4:7-8

Tags: imitating Christ, Love, Compassion, unity, Spiritual Gifts, Body of Christ, Selflessness  (view more)  (view less)

Encouragement To Men To Study The Bible And Theology, And Find Great Happiness

By Randy Alcorn on Dec 5, 2023

Many Christian men would agree that they’re experts in business, hunting, fishing, football, or cars. Sadly, however, even those who attend Bible-teaching churches may know very little about the Bible and theology. Why?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: priorities, Manhood, Theology, distractions, spiritual growth, men's ministry, happiness, Sports  (view more)  (view less)

10 Reasons Small Churches Tend To Stay Small

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 20, 2024

After working for years among hundreds of small congregations, Joe McKeever speaks to the subtle growth barriers that tend to go unnoticed or unaddressed in stagnant churches.

Scripture: John 13:35, Psalm 85:6, Luke 11:1-2

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, Small Church, Church Practices, Pastor, church  (view more)  (view less)

Mapping Fault Lines In America | Micah 3

By Jerry Shirley on Jan 28, 2026

In Micah 3, the prophet maps the spiritual fault lines of a nation under judgment. Find what that means for America today, and what God expects from His people.

Scripture: Micah 3:1-12

Tags: America, Hope, corruption, repentance, compromise, Complacency, Spiritual Renewal, Compromise, Corruption, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Mapping 'fault Lines' In America - Micah 3

By Jerry Shirley on Apr 17, 2023

Ultimately, the hope of America is not found in the White House or the State House, nor in the Courthouse. The hope of America is found in God’s House, and your house, and my house!

Scripture: Micah 3:1-12

Tags: America, Hope, Corruption, Repentance, corruption, repentance, compromise, Complacency, Spiritual Renewal, Compromise  (view more)  (view less)

A Renewed Mind: The Practice Of Humble Thought

By Robert A. Fryling on Jan 3, 2025

Robert Fryling explores the human mind as a vital partner to the body and spirit in spiritual growth and renewal.

Scripture: Luke 10:27, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Thought, Humility, Preaching, pastor, devotion, original sin, Mind, Christian Disciplines, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

God Seeks People To Worship Him In Spirit And Truth

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 19, 2022

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)

Scripture: John 3:6, John 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, John 4:4-6, Proverbs 13:14, John 7:37-39, John 4:14, John 14:26, Matthew 15:8, 1 Thessalonians 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Gospel of John, Dead in sin, Jesus Teachings, Spirit and Truth, Spiritually Dead, Woman at the well  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Soul Have A Backbone?

By Lance Witt on Aug 6, 2023

Over the last few years my single most consistent prayer has been for spiritual courage.

Tags: suffering, Courage, People pleasing, intimacy with Christ