In Preaching Articles: "Step Up"

Preaching Can Be Bad News, Too

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 1, 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)

Jokes In A Sermon: Six Checkpoints For Every Preacher

By Nicholas Mcdonald on Aug 18, 2021

It may seem like the perfect way to lighten up a sermon, but perhaps you should run it through this helpful checklist.

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:3-4, Luke 8:22-25

Tags: Preaching, Good News, Appropriate, joke, joking, insensitive, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach To Old(Er) People

By Rachel Wrenn on Oct 23, 2025

"Mildred" loves the Lord, shows up early for service--and falls asleep nearly every week. What to do?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

13 Benefits Of Putting An Expiration Date On New Ministries In Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 11, 2024

Here's a great way open your church up to innovative new ideas by minimizing the risk – or at least the sting – of failure.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How Did John The Baptist Prepare For Christmas?

By Jimmy Gentry on Dec 9, 2025

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

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Tags: Christmas, Worship, repentance, prepare, john the baptist, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Do We Preach A Grace That's Too Small?

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 29, 2024

We've lined up the chairs in neat little rows and called it grace. We never noticed: it has broken free.

Scripture: Numbers 4:1-4

Tags: Grace, Preaching, King, Tyrant, too small, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Improve Your Preaching Today!

By Joe Hoagland on Dec 5, 2021

There are some steps we can take as communicators, today, to make lasting change. As I look at improving multiple things in my life I look for the building blocks I can use to achieve success right away as well as into the future.

Tags: Preaching, Introduction, conclusion, sermon prep, Praying, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Great Preacher = Great Leader? Not So Fast

By Adrian Pei on Mar 15, 2023

When a leader admits his or her weaknesses in front of an audience, I think to myself, "That's great ... how will you follow that up?"

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7-10, Matthew 21:18-22

Tags: Preaching, Maturity, skill, great leader, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

One Question That Can Ruin Your Sermon Prep—in The Best Way

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 19, 2023

If you have never asked yourself this question, you might end up preaching to the mind while steering totally clear of the soul.

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Tags: Soul, Preaching, Mind, need, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

4 Points Of Principle Preaching

By Chris Surber on Nov 11, 2025

"Can I call her up to the front on Sunday morning, have her sit in front of the congregation and use her sin as an example?”

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-2

Tags:

Weaving Gospel Fluency Into Every Sunday Message

By Jeff Vanderstelt on Nov 20, 2022

If we are going to grow people up into Christlikeness in every way, we need to learn how to speak the truths of Jesus Christ into everything.

Scripture: Luke 24:44-45

Tags: Teaching, pastoral leadership, defending the gospel, preaching Christ, guard the truth, Gospel centered, Teach His Word, church leadership, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Eugene Peterson On The Dignity Of Local Pastoring

By Eugene Peterson on Jul 13, 2021

"I grew up in a culture that was very entertainment-centered. Pastors were really good storytellers, and they were attractive people, glamorous." –Eugene Peterson

Scripture: John 3:16, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 2 Corinthians 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth, Preaching, Growth in Christ, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Why Ranting Does Not Equal Preaching

By Tony Merida on Sep 18, 2024

Tony Merida: "May God raise up a new generation of faithful, responsible expositors of Scripture who keep their finger on the text as they teach and preach."

Scripture: James 3:1, Hebrews 13:17, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Tags: Preaching, Text, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

How Your Preaching Can Destroy Modern Idols

By Chris Surber on Nov 14, 2024

Every church has those things that it clings to that are off the table for change or removal, and usually even for discussion--unless you bring them up.

Scripture: Leviticus 26:30

Tags: Preaching, destroy, Discussion, modern idols, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Your Congregation Is Fact-Checking Your Preaching (And That's Good News)

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 29, 2023

Up to 38 percent of churchgoing Millennials will do an online search to verify what we say. And many of them are doing it while we’re preaching.

Tags: Internet, Preaching, Search, millennials, Fact Checking, preaching  (view more)  (view less)