In Preaching Articles: "Spiritual Preparation"

Christmas Is Too Big For One Day: Why We Celebrate Advent

By Dr. Andreas Kostenberger on Dec 6, 2024

Jesus’s birth did not come in a vacuum. His coming was the culmination of centuries, even millennia, of mounting expectation of the coming Messiah and Savior of humankind.

Scripture: Genesis 3:15, 1 Samuel 13:14, Luke 2:10-11

Tags: Advent, Christmas Advent, Waiting on God, Spiritual Preparation

Spiritual Loitering

By Lance Witt on Mar 29, 2023

Even though Easter was just a few days ago, it is likely that you have quickly moved on to the next “thing”. But I want to challenge you to not move on too quickly. I’m sure there are some stories and God moments from this past weekend that are worth lingering over. As pastors we need to do a better job with the discipline of “spiritual loitering”.

Scripture: Psalm 111:4, Psalm 143:5

Tags: Remember, inner peace, good work

The Birth Of A Sermon

By Brady Boyd on Sep 1, 2020

It's Monday, and just when you're ready to relax from the weekend, you realize you have to start the sermon process all over again.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 20:27, Psalm 1:2-3, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preparation, Spiritual Discipline, preaching

The Spiritual Discipline Of Anticipation

By Lance Witt on May 25, 2022

Let me ask you, what are you trusting God for? Where are you practicing the spiritual discipline of anticipation?

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Tags: Preaching, anticipation, active faith, Possible with God, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Spiritual Oil Crisis

By Lance Witt on Oct 22, 2022

What are you trusting God for? What are attempting for God’s glory that requires faith? Sadly, the more years people serve in ministry, the less risk-taking faith they demonstrate. We can begin to rely on our experience, our skills, and our planning to win the day. Yet, without faith it is impossible to please God.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Hebrews 11:6

Tags: Faith, Ministry, Trust, Elisha, relying on god, Risk taking, church leadership, Daring Faith, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Spiritual Warfare In The Work Of Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jun 30, 2021

The proclamation of God’s Word often encounters spiritual opposition. Preachers must remain vigilant without becoming either fearful or careless.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8-9, James 4:7, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pulpit, Spiritual Warfare, Preaching, pulpit, ignorant, paranoid, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Spiritual Disciplines And The Sinkhole Syndrome

By Donald Whitney on Jan 22, 2022

As the pressures of life increase and more deadlines loom, it becomes harder to maintain time for the devotional life. And herein is where the erosion begins.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12, John 17:17, Luke 4:16, Matthew 14:23

Tags: Follow Jesus, Spiritual Maturity, Spiritual Discipline, Spiritual Failures, sermon spiritual  (view more)  (view less)

Learn To Love The Wrestling

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 29, 2020

Preaching is a gift, but so is preparation. The hard wrestling with God’s Word feeds the preacher before it feeds the church.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:16, Jeremiah 23:29, Psalm 1:2-3, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual growth, Life Unfair, preaching, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching From The Overflow Requires Structure

By Joe Mckeever on May 19, 2021

Preaching from passion and spiritual overflow can energize a sermon, but without structure it often becomes difficult for listeners to follow and impossible for the preacher to reproduce.

Scripture: Psalm 23:5, Luke 6:27-35, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:13, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, audience, overflow, problem, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When Times Are Tight

By David R. Stokes on Mar 30, 2020

When finances shake confidence and fear grows, preaching must lift weary hearts toward Heaven, reminding them of the unshakable kingdom God has prepared.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Spiritual Renewal

Screenwriting As Sermon Preparation

By Jeff Chaves on Apr 25, 2024

Expand your sermon prep and presentation skills through the art of screenwriting.

Tags: Teaching, pastor, Presentation, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, teaching, presentation, Sermon prep, screenwriting  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Pay Attention To God's Voice While You're Preaching?

By Mark Moore on Feb 1, 2024

Faithful preaching requires careful preparation, but it also requires attentiveness to Christ’s presence. Sometimes the most powerful moment in a sermon is stepping aside.

Scripture: Mark 6:34, John 10:11, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Spiritual Leadership, God, Preaching, voice, spiritual leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Really Makes A Spiritual Leader?

By Bob Hamp on Apr 5, 2023

Spiritual leadership is not defined by position or productivity, but by transformation, presence, and the ability to lead others into real encounters with God.

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45, John 15:4-5, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Thessalonians 2:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Power, leadership, Counselor, Leadership, Christian Formation  (view more)  (view less)

Your Best Response To A Spiritual Attack

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 15, 2022

If you’re in the Kingdom, you’re in a battle.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, pressure, prayer warrior

3 Spiritual Lessons From Jonathan Edwards

By Kyle Strobel on Jun 7, 2025

Jonathan Edwards teaches that spiritual practices are not about technique but about knowing God. True Christian disciplines must be God-centered, relational, and filled with affection.

Scripture: John 15:5, Mark 9:24, Psalm 27:4, Jeremiah 9:23-24

Tags: Jonathan Edwards, Spiritual, spiritual, Preaching, practice, jonathan edwards, preaching  (view more)  (view less)