In Preaching Articles: "The Real Jesus"

4 Ingredients Jesus Used To Hold An Audience

By Peter Walters on Jan 17, 2022

As a preacher, I am always looking for ways to improve my speaking. I study other communicators, for example, if a comedian gets me hooked, I analyze why he was successful and I love to read books on communication.

Scripture: Job 1:1-10, Luke 6:46, Matthew 13:16, Luke 12:25, Matthew 6:28, Matthew 13:34, Luke 10:30, Matthew 13:33, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 7:1, Genesis 2:10-20, Genesis 1:4-10, Luke 13:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Following Jesus, jesus parables, Communication Speech, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

A Question Pastors Need To Hear From Jesus

By Lance Witt on Jun 13, 2022

Ultimately, if God is not working in you, the joy of his work through you will be short-lived.

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Tags: leadership, pastoral leadership, soul care, receiving, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Leading Like Jesus Means Making Big Challenges

By James Scott on Jun 23, 2021

Jesus never shied away from calling people to make big changes--do you?

Tags: Jesus, obedience, challenge, Follow

Are We More Invested In Bringing People To Church Or Jesus?

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 4, 2021

Church attendance should be a tool to help people draw closer to Jesus. Not the other way around.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Preaching

The One Time Jesus Prayed For You (Part 1)

By Lance Witt on Apr 3, 2024

Unity is not passive, it is active. And if we are going to experience it, we have to work for it.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3, John 17:21-23

Tags: Prejudice, selfish ambition

The One Time Jesus Prayed For You (Part 2)

By Lance Witt on Apr 4, 2024

“What does true “unity” look like practically? If Jesus’ prayer was answered, what would be the evidence?”

Scripture: Romans 12:10, Acts 4:32-35

Tags: Generosity, christian unity, Church Unity, local church purpose

"Get To" Vs. "Have To"

By Lance Witt on Apr 13, 2022

I am not exempt from the needs of my humanity simply because I am a pastor or ministry leader.

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: pastor, endurance with joy, rest in Jesus, fixing eyes on Jesus, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

When People Leave: 4 Lessons In Rejection From Jesus

By Greg Surratt on Jul 8, 2021

Watching people leave hurts, even for pastors. Jesus’ response in John 6 shows how to process that pain with security in the Father’s love, trusted friends, and confidence in God’s sovereignty.

Scripture: John 6:25-71, John 11:35, Romans 8:28, Matthew 3:17, Hebrews 13:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, leadership, Preaching, Rejection, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

11 Mistakes That Take Your Preaching Focus Off Jesus

By Jared Moore on May 8, 2023

If you want to help your hearers focus on God and think on God when they leave your service, then here are 11 things that you cannot do.

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, mistakes, focus, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Preaching Proclaim Jesus As Lord, Or Simply Savior?

By Dustin Leimgruber on Sep 15, 2022

Check out the modern parable of the Runaway Bride.

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Tags: Savior, Parable, Preaching, Explanation, runaway bride, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Preaching Methods Jesus Used That You Should, Too

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 13, 2025

If there is anyone we should emulate in our preaching, it's Jesus!

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Repetition, Object Lesson, methods, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Was A Migrant (So Were Abraham, Joseph, And The Jewish People)

By Patrick Johnstone on Apr 1, 2024

“Historic.” “Unprecedented!” These are the words people use to describe today’s bigger-than-ever flood of global refugees and migrants. But people have been on the move since the very beginning of human history. The Bible tells me so. Jesus was a refugee. So was Abraham. So was Moses. Jews and Christians have been on the move for a long, long time.

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The Leadership Quality Nobody Talks About

By Lance Witt on Jan 4, 2022

Jesus did not come to cajole or manipulate people. He did not come to debate or lead by forceful personality. He never tried to gather a crowd or build an organization. He never marketed himself or developed his “brand”. Instead, he exemplified this quality that we all need.

Scripture: Matthew 12:19-20, Hebrews 5:2

Tags: Church leaders, Jesus' leadership

Dealing Hope In The Darkest Of Nights

By Dave Furman on Jan 20, 2022

God delivered me from the darkness of despair through my friends and family as they shared their hope with me. I’m not talking about a shove-it-in-your-face kind of “sharing.” They didn’t try to explain all my problems away or attempt to explain all of God’s intentions for my suffering.

Scripture: Job 2:11-13

Tags: Jesus, Hope, friendship, Depression

Why Illustrations Matter In Preaching: Learning From Jesus’ Use Of Parables

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 15, 2024

Parables and illustrations bring preaching to life. These seven tests help pastors use stories wisely to clarify truth, reduce resistance, and make sermons memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 13:34, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Psalm 78:2, Luke 8:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Expository Preaching, expository preaching