In Preaching Articles: "Surprise"

What Do You Do When Your Sermon Is Interrupted? Try This Five-Point Checklist

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 11, 2023

Sooner or later, every pastor has it happen. You're in the middle of a sermon, all is going well, you're on top of your game, the Lord is near, the people are listening well. And then, bam!

Scripture: Psalm 75:4-7, Matthew 12:8-13, John 12:25-30

Tags: Preaching, guidance, Surprise, interrupted, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Five Surprising Insights About The Unchurched

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 16, 2023

Many church leaders and members have such misperceptions about the unchurched, churches often fail to reach them, or even attempt to reach them.

Tags: Evangelism, Unchurched, habit, evangelism

Preach The Surprising Connection Between Christmas And Repentance

By David J. Lose on Dec 1, 2020

Instead of demanding repentance, what if you invited people into it?

Scripture: John 3:1-3, Matthew 3:1-2

Tags: Advent, Preaching, repentance, Inviting People, Repentance, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Surprising Leadership Principles From The Bible

By Tom Harper on Jan 21, 2025

Tom Harper traveled through the whole of Scripture looking for one fresh leadership principle in every book ... learn what he found.

Scripture: Judges 8:3, Proverbs 29:22, Hosea 3:1-5

Tags: John, Wisdom, leadership, pastor, anger, Pastors, lead, Leadership General, Pastor, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Close Your Sermon Powerfully: A Surprising Secret

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 3, 2020

Sherman Cox points to one critical area frequently left untouched by preachers--resulting in untouched hearts of listeners.

Scripture: Romans 6:1-4

Tags: Preaching

God Works In Mysterious Ways—through Your Sermon!

By Danny Macmunn on Aug 27, 2021

Sometimes even the messenger is surprised at what the people hear.

Scripture: Mark 15:1-18, 2 Timothy 2:1-15

Tags: inspired by god, preaching, Scripture, Preaching, Word of God, mysterious ways  (view more)  (view less)

What Do Your People Want To Hear From The Pulpit?

By Ron Allen on Sep 14, 2020

"The most surprising challenge to emerge from the data is a request to preachers to bring controversial issues into the pulpit."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

10 Things You Can Do To Make Your Pastor’s Sermons Better

By Jared Moore on Nov 19, 2020

Most people would be surprised there's anything they could do to help. Why don't you tell them?

Scripture: James 1:21-22

Tags: Preaching, pastor, teach, Learning, Improve, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

7 Pitfalls Of Being An Introverted Pastor

By Ron Edmondson on May 30, 2020

"I am an introvert. With all my public appearances on Sunday mornings, this surprises many people. But in my private life and with those closest to me, there is no questioning that fact."

Tags: Preaching

10 Reasons Even Committed Church Attenders Are Attending Church Less Often

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 21, 2023

It comes up in a surprising number of conversations these days. And no one’s quite sure how to respond to it. The issue? Even committed church attenders are attending church less often.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25, 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3, Matthew 24:9-13

Tags: Technology, Culture, church decline, Church attendence, culture  (view more)  (view less)

Six Details To Include In Your Church Staff Bios

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 14, 2022

When we talk with first-time guests about church websites, many of them share their surprise that the website fails to include bios or any information other than a name for the church staff.

Tags: Digital Strategy, Executive Pastor, Church Bio, connect, Healthy Church, Connect, Clarity, church ministry, Church Website  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Participated In The Work Of The Local Association

By Joe Mckeever on Feb 23, 2021

Consider these five reasons to be involved in the local association. I promise you that Christ will be honored, your church will be strengthened, other ministers will be encouraged, and most surprising of all, you will find yourself to be more fulfilled in serving your Lord.

Tags: Church, Preaching

Theological Study Is For Everyone

By Jared Wilson on Jan 16, 2021

Every Christian must be a theologian. This is something I tell my church often. The looks I get from some surprised souls are the evidence that I have not yet adequately communicated that the purposeful theological study of God by lay people is important.

Tags: Preaching

The Gospel Of James: Open Letter To Martin Luther

By SermonCentral .com on May 7, 2022

Many of us today who think of ourselves squarely as your friends take exception to some of your views — some in greater measure than others — and I expect you, of all people, would be least surprised to hear of it and receive it.

Scripture: Galatians 2:14, Ezekiel 36:24-32, Jeremiah 31:33, Ephesians 1:13, Colossians 1:5, 1 Corinthians 3:12, 1 Corinthians 12:21, James 1:18-23, Philippians 1:27, 1 Peter 1:23-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: The Gospel, Reformation, Book of James, martin luther