In Preaching Articles: "Spiritual Preparation"

Preparation And Trust: A Preacher's Tug Of War

By Todd Hahn on Oct 24, 2024

There's a natural tension between preparation and trust, but one line we should never cross is trusting in our own preparation.

Scripture: John 19:28

Tags: Tug Of War, preaching, Trust, Preaching, preparation, Tension  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Collaborate In Sermon Preparation

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 5, 2022

Have you ever considered how you might collaborate in sermon prep?

Scripture: Joshua 1:1

Tags: teaching, sermon prep, working together, collaboration, Teaching Prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Teaching, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

How Did John The Baptist Prepare For Christmas?

By Jimmy Gentry on Dec 23, 2022

How would John the Baptizer respond if he were to show up during Advent in any given city in America today?

Scripture: Matthew 1:15-25

Tags: Preaching, preaching

On The Shoulders Of Giants: Sermon Preparation Resources For Pastors

By Matthew Redder on Sep 10, 2025

In this article, we’ll explore how pastors work with others—both living and long gone—to craft sermon content. We’ll reflect on the value of community, the discipline of study, and the humility that comes when we realize that our sermons are enriched by the wisdom of many.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: biblical dictionary, sermoncentral, sermonmaker, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, preaching, sermonprep, commentary, Preaching, pastor, Commentary  (view more)  (view less)

Why Spiritual Transformation Stalls And How Pastors Can Restart It

By Thom Rainer on Mar 5, 2020

Spiritual transformation often stalls in believers and churches. Identifying its root causes helps pastors guide congregations from stagnation to renewed gospel growth.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Tags: Spirit, Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Transformation, In Christ, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Thom Rainer: 3 Reasons Your People Are Spiritually Stuck

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 29, 2024

"When we lead our people in the process of transformation, we need to orient them to the reality of the war within them."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Tags: Envy, striving, Spiritual exercise, preaching, Preaching, Transformation  (view more)  (view less)

Answering Claims That The Bible Contains Errors, And Why It Matters That It Doesn’t

By Randy Alcorn on Nov 22, 2022

I’m reminded of what the Huguenots said of the Bible and its critics: “Hammer away ye hostile hands; your hammers break, God’s Anvil stands.”

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: study bible, defending the gospel, guard the truth, Be prepared, spiritual knowledge, Apologetics, Biblical truth, inerrant  (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, sermon preparation, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Derwin Gray: I Prepare My Sermons By Dancing

By Derwin Gray on Dec 16, 2020

Are your dance moves timeless or hopelessly out of date? Pastor Derwin Gray has five suggestions.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Tags: Preaching, dance, teach, preaching

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

How Long Should It Take To Prepare Your Sermon?

By Charles Stone on Oct 29, 2019

How could there be only one answer? Charles Stone suggests five factors to consider.

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Tags: Schedule, Study, Preaching

A Step-By-Step Approach To Efficient Sermon Preparation

By Brandon Kelley on Jun 27, 2022

A Step-by-Step Approach to Efficient Sermon Preparation

Tags: Preaching, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Do You Prepare Your Child For Adulthood?

By Brian Croft on Jan 2, 2023

Many of you knew I was on a trip with my 13 year-old son recently. What was the occasion? My wife and I promised each of our children when they turned 13 years old, they would get to take a special trip with one of us.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:8, Ephesians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 3:1-7

Tags: parenting, discipling, Role of Men, Christian fathers, teach children, Godly Fathers, protection, Shepherd  (view more)  (view less)

6 Tips On How Pastors Can Help Others Discover Their Spiritual Gifts

By Charles Stone on Apr 1, 2023

The more pastors help people discover, develop, and deploy their spiritual gifts, the healthier our churches become. How have you helped others discover their gifts?

Tags: Preaching, Spiritual Gifts, preaching

Why I Pace Before I Preach

By Walter Wangerin Jr. on May 1, 2020

On the night before I preach, I pace—back and forth in my room, mumbling sermonic thoughts, testing them, scorning a hundred thoughts, exulting in one or two that shine like coin, investing those.

Tags: Preaching, preparation, preaching