In Preaching Articles: "Up Your Game"

No One Follows Their Heart

By Jon Bloom on Oct 7, 2022

"No one actually follows their heart. I know that sounds odd, given the prevalence of our cultural creed to "follow your heart." But if we think carefully about what the "heart" really is and how it functions, we will see that this creed doesn’t make sense, and why it ends up confusing and misleading people."

Scripture: Matthew 13:44, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:21, Ephesians 1:18, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 22:37-39, Psalm 97:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sin, Deceitful, Walking by Faith, fixing eyes on Jesus, Follow Your Heart  (view more)  (view less)

8 Lame Excuses Church Leaders Make

By Carey Nieuwhof on Mar 27, 2023

One of the best practices you can develop as a leader is to identify your excuses and eliminate them. Start thinking and talking a different game.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, church culture, Explanation, Rules, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Sometimes I Feel Like Giving Up, But I Know Better

By Brandon Cox on Apr 26, 2024

Sometimes, I feel that I’m spinning my wheels and not getting anywhere, and that I’m failing to meet the expectations of others.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12

Tags: Holy Spirit, Discouragement, confidence in God, giving up

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 4—free Up Working Memory (Capacity)

By Charles Stone on May 26, 2024

Free up Working Memory is the fourth installment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Tags: sermonprep, capacity, memory, sermon, Capacity, Sermon, neuroscience, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You Are Up To The Task Whether You Feel Like It Or Not

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 17, 2022

Deep in the heart of every man I’ve ever met lurks a daunting question that casts a shadow over every major challenge we ever face: Am I up to this?

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14, Philippians 1:6

Tags: leadership, Courage, Overwhelmed, confidence in God, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 10, 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)

What Are You Doing To Raise Up The Next Generation Of Preachers?

By Brian Croft on Dec 12, 2019

Provide opportunities for the next generation.

Tags: Preaching

10 Things Every New Believer Should Know

By Brian Mavis on Nov 19, 2024

"I have been a Christian for over 25 years, and God has had to redirect me on multiple things because of what I mistakenly believed early on about being a Christian. And it is better to learn sooner than later."

Scripture: Colossians 3:13

Tags: Preaching, Pray, Mentor, love your neighbor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Has The Church Lost Its Passion?

By Jim Morgan on Mar 17, 2021

Passion is what we can’t keep inside. It spills over and can’t be contained. We love our kids – we can’t help but talk about them. We love our favorite sports teams – we talk about them first thing Monday morning at the water cooler. Christians love God more than anything else – He should constantly be on the tips of our tongues. Our passion for the Lord should be evident to all those around us. “Private Christian” should be an oxymoron – our faith should pour out through every fiber of our being.

Tags: Discipleship, passion, social justice, Sharing Your Faith

Energizing Your Sermons With Multisensory Preaching

By Rick Blackwood on Jun 1, 2020

Rick Blackwood helps preachers communicate God's Word in a form that is engaging, crystal clear, unforgettable, and more fun for the speaker.

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Church, Communication, Preaching, pastor, wake up, Cohabitation, adult children, Communication General, God's dwelling place, Pastor, illustration, Clarity, time is at hand, Homiletics, Awake, Dress Properly  (view more)  (view less)

Heads Up, Eyes Open, Everyone Looking Around Weekend Invitations

By Dean Hawk on Aug 2, 2023

I’m curious. When and where did ministers first begin asking people to bow their heads, close their eyes, and secretly raise their hand in a church service if they wanted to accept Jesus? Why do we feel like we need to sneak people into heaven?

Tags: Salvation, gospel invitation, Empowered churches

Your Greatest Prayer Partner

By David J. Lose on Sep 15, 2022

David Lose reminds us we are not alone in our task; someone has been lifting us up for centuries.

Scripture: John 17:6-26

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Prayer, Partner, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Bible Reading Is Down At Your Church

By Peter Mead on Jul 10, 2025

The most recent research presents troubling results. How does your church measure up?

Tags: preaching, bible, Bible, Study, Preaching, Isolation, fragment, e  (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: Search, millennials, Fact Checking, preaching, Internet, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Minimize Ministry Silos

By Charles Stone on Jul 25, 2022

Silos occur in organizations and churches when leaders act like their ministry or team is the only one that matters. A silo attitude results in that leader or team only supporting, giving, or attending functions that pertain to them. It can kill a ministry and result in many problems. In this post, I suggest ways to minimize ministry silos.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:3, Romans 15:5, Psalm 133:1

Tags: Ownership, Volunteer, Harmony, Consider Others, Step Up, Leadership, Trust, leadership, unity  (view more)  (view less)