In Preaching Articles: "True Success"

Are You A Well-Defined Leader?

By John Holm on Jul 18, 2021

"I've rarely coached someone who decided that more knowledge or more skill would help them become a successful leader. Instead, what they needed to learn was more about themselves."

Tags: Leader, Character, define, Leadership General

What Makes A Preacher

By Ben Mandrell on Jul 22, 2024

What makes a faithful preacher? Ben Mandrell offers a helpful list of six examples to encourage preachers to stay true to their calling.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Preaching, training, preaching

Why Authentic Preaching Could Be A Trap

By Maurilio Amorim on May 14, 2020

Authenticity blesses the church, but permissive confession erodes repentance. True vulnerability must lead to real change, not sympathy without transformation.

Scripture: James 5:16, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Proverbs 28:13, Psalm 51:10-12, 1 John 1:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Integrity

R. C. Sproul: Why Good Teaching Is Simple But Never Simplistic

By R. C. Sproul on Jan 2, 2023

Effective teaching does not avoid complexity but translates it. True mastery shows itself in clarity that simplifies without distorting truth.

Scripture: Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 9:9, Luke 24:27, Matthew 13:34-35, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship

In Times Of Conflict—preach Joy!

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 15, 2025

Regardless of your church's climate, one thing remains true: The preacher's task is to preach with joy, whether the conditions are desirable or undesirable.

Tags: Holy Spirit, Communication, Joy, Preaching, conflict, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Do Your Gestures Say While You Preach?

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 1, 2024

It's true: we speak with more than words, more than our voice. How does your body preach?

Tags: Preaching, effective, gestures, thom rainer, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Use Humor Like A Hammer (Plus 4 Other Great Preaching Tips)

By Chris Foster on Feb 4, 2024

The average attention span has dropped from 12 minutes to 5 minutes. If this is true, what does that mean for you as a communicator of the Gospel?

Scripture: Exodus 3:7-17, John 14:26

Tags: Preaching, humor, social media, storytelling, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Deadly Dangers In Shortcutting Quality Exegesis

By Peter Mead on Dec 17, 2024

Shortcuts in exegesis result in a passage idea that does not carry the true content--nor the character--of the passage on which we claim to be preaching.

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Preaching When The News Intrudes

By Eric Reed on Jan 5, 2025

Pastors must navigate public tragedy with discernment, comforting emotions, anchoring people in Scripture, and knowing when to speak and when to wait for true clarity.

Tags: Church, Preaching, Culture, Difficulties, disaster, media, pastoral leadership, Trials, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, culture, Biblical wisdom, sermon preparation, Pastoral Leadership, Crisis Preaching, Cultural Discernment, Biblical Wisdom  (view more)  (view less)

Not A Fan: The Hard Words Sparked A Church-Wide Revival

By Kyle Idleman on Jan 12, 2025

A preacher’s honest reckoning with crowd-pleasing sermons led to a bold call for true discipleship, sparking repentance, revival, and hundreds of unexpected baptisms.

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Love, Baptism, Jesus, Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Preaching, Disciples, revival, Church Growth, follower, preaching, church, love, Gospel call, Revival, Gospel Call  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching Too Deep Or Too Shallow?

By Craig Groeschel on Feb 4, 2025

Preaching must be simple and relevant, but never at the cost of spiritual depth. True transformation comes from Scripture-driven messages that avoid both extremes.

Scripture: Hebrews 5:13

Tags: Death, Teaching, Preaching, deep, Expository, preaching, teaching, expository, Balanced  (view more)  (view less)

2 Rules For Transparency In The Pulpit

By Brady Boyd on Feb 20, 2025

Pastors should be honest, but honesty must be wise. True vulnerability builds hope, not confusion, and protects both the flock and loved ones from harm.

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Tags: Preaching, Honesty, Authenticity, Struggles, Transparency, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

John Piper: My View Of Preaching

By John Piper on Aug 20, 2024

True preaching is expository exultation explaining the Bible and exulting over its truth. This vision shapes the church, fuels worship, and carries eternal weight.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Nehemiah 8:8, Psalm 119:18, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 10:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

John Piper: Bible-Oriented Preaching Or Entertainment?

By John Piper on Aug 23, 2024

True preaching is bound to Scripture, not personality. A Bible-tethered preacher speaks with God’s authority, while entertainment preaching drifts from the Word.

Scripture: John 17:20, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 66:2

Tags: Scripture, Entertainment, john calvin, John Calvin

The Power Of Weak Preaching

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 18, 2020

God channels His power through weak preachers, not showmanship. True potency comes from courage, confession, and preaching Christ with humble dependence.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Corinthians 12:9, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, weakness, preaching, Weakness