In Preaching Articles: "Useful"

Doing Ministry Without Losing Your Soul Part 2

By Lance Witt on May 17, 2024

"In ministry, there are certain tensions that we must live with. Sometimes they seem contradictory, but they are tensions that are actually healthy for us."

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-8, Psalm 27:4, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Tags: leadership, Balance, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Healthy Ministry, Tensions in Ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Slaves In Your Church's Backyard

By David Batstone on Dec 14, 2022

Activist David Batstone urges pastors to focus ministry against the terrible prevalence of human trafficking in the U.S. and around the world.

Tags: Culture, Slavery, Justice, traffic, injustice, culture  (view more)  (view less)

10 Reasons Not To Give An Altar Call

By Thabiti Anyabwile on Mar 13, 2020

Thabiti Anyabwile offers a compelling argument against the use of altar calls. We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions.

Scripture: Numbers 1:1

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, altar, Evangelism How To

Parables Plus Preaching Equals Power

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 15, 2024

When we preach using modern-day parables, we're in good company. We're following the example of Jesus.

Scripture: Matthew 13:34

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Preaching God's Dangerous Truth

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jun 17, 2020

We love to preach the Good News, but it doesn't reach its full potential until it challenges us to dream big.

Scripture: Luke 2:10

Tags: Preaching, preaching

3 Mistakes Pastors Make With Commentaries

By Peter Mead on May 6, 2025

Commentaries are resources for preachers, not sources for sermons. Watch out for these three pitfalls when using commentaries in your sermon prep and delivery.

Tags: Preaching, Prep, Commentary, preaching

Why Your Congregation Is Your Second Text

By Mike Glenn on Oct 27, 2020

Pastor Mike Glenn suggests every sermon requires us to exegete our audience as well as the Biblical text. Here's why.

Tags: Preaching, Congregation, role, second text

Don't Sell The Gospel!

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 18, 2020

Peddlers are driven by greed for money and fear of pain. But let us preach Christ as the all-satisfying treasure and God-satisfying obedience.

Tags: Paul, Gospel, Preaching, Pharisees, peddle, e  (view more)  (view less)

Facing These Questions Can Improve Any Preacher

By Charles Stone on Jun 7, 2021

The time we invest in sermons and the time people invest in listening to them should make us pause to evaluate our efforts.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-20

Tags: Preaching, invest, Improve, questions, biblical preaching, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Tests Of Plagiarism: Do Your Sermons Pass Them?

By Ron Forseth on Feb 25, 2023

"Should we use someone else's sermon?" I would say that in many, many cases, the answer can legitimately be "Yes."

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism, Quotes, citation, e, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Last-Minute Messages: How To Craft A Short Devotional With No Notice

By Rob O'lynn on Sep 7, 2021

"Hey, Pastor, could you say a few words..." Use this strategy to deliver short, meaningful talks with little or no prep time.

Scripture: Luke 19:1-19

Tags: Preaching, picture, passage, point

How To Finally Break Through And Work Ahead On Sermon Prep: The Ultimate How-To

By Jeramie Rinne on Nov 26, 2024

Some gifted preachers can regularly craft solid sermons on an abbreviated schedule. But most of us mortals need ample time.

Tags: Preaching, Research, writer, rehearse, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Devil Knows How To Discourage You

By SermonCentral .com on May 10, 2022

This is the focus of all Satan’s massive, multifarious strategies: to dis-courage us through dis-belief in God’s promises.

Tags: Satan, Discouragement, give thanks, Discouraged

Urban Preaching Myths In The Pulpit

By Trevin Wax on Feb 6, 2025

Trevin Wax uncovers seven often used urban preaching myths and encourages pastors to verify sources, illustrations, and stories before preaching.

Scripture: Mark 10:25

Tags: Preaching, false teaching, urban legend, preaching

Pastors, Articulate Your Vision (Again)

By SermonCentral .com on May 21, 2020

In this two-minute video John Piper reminds us that vision often leaks and it's our role to articulate it in fresh new ways.

Tags: vision, leadership, Leadership General, Leadership