In Preaching Articles: "Why Jesus Died"

All Pastors Plagiarize--Here's Why

By Erik Raymond on Aug 6, 2021

We read, listen, talk, think, integrate, pray and listen. This is what we do. "In one very real sense, pastors don’t know what is original and what is not."

Tags: Steal, Preaching, pastor, Plagiarism, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

A Crucial Question: The Why Of Expository Preaching

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 1, 2024

It's not just academic; it's essential for life-giving sermons.

Scripture: Numbers 6:24-27, Joshua 6:6-27, Joshua 4:5-16

Tags: Preaching, Expository, Essential, Academic, preaching, expository  (view more)  (view less)

Why Good Sermons Can Be Boring

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 14, 2025

You brought a sermon you knew beyond a doubt was from the Lord and inspired of God.Halfway through, you could sense the congregation’s minds wandering. How could this happen?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why I Hate The Word Balance

By Lance Witt on May 30, 2023

A life of balance has always seemed like a “pipe dream”, something that just wasn’t realistic or attainable. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had a moment of balance in my entire life. I can’t think of a single moment when every area of my life and ministry were “spinning” smoothly.

Scripture: Mark 10:46

Tags: Pastors, rhythm, emotional health

Why So Long? A Missions Story

By Evy Yohner on May 21, 2022

These stories are like rare pearls, collecting from a way of “doing” missions no longer done, when intrepid men and women sacrificed everything to obey God’s voice.

Tags: great commission, lessons from history, international, god's mission

Why Do Christians Love The Law?

By Rev. Burk Parsons on Jun 22, 2022

Why would anyone love the law of God?

Scripture: Matthew 28:20, Romans 7:22, Matthew 5:17, Psalm 119:72

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, God's Law, obedience of faith

Your Greatest Prayer Partner

By David J. Lose on Sep 16, 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)

Jesus Illustrated His Sermons: Shouldn't We Follow His Example?

By Justin Trapp on Dec 28, 2024

Discover how one of our Lord's faous sayings was actually a vivid, up-to-date illustration.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Jesus Didn’t Wake Up This Morning Depressed By The Size Of Your Church

By Karl Vaters on Apr 18, 2022

Jesus knows what happened and didn’t happen in church last Sunday.

Tags: Depression, Marriage Faithfulness, Church Attendance, God's perspective, e, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 1—begin With The End In Mind (Clarity)

By Charles Stone on Mar 16, 2024

Begin with the End in Mind is the first installment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 6:40

Tags: Sermon, sermon writing, neuroscience, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, pastor, sermon prep, sermon, Pastor, Sermon Prep  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 8—reinforce Life Application (Transfer)

By Charles Stone on Jan 4, 2024

Reinforce Life Application is the final instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: James 1:22

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, preacher, church, Sermon prep, Preacher, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, neuroscience, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Reasons Why I Give My Listeners Homework (And Why You Should, Too)

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 21, 2025

When we ask something more of our congregation we will quickly discover whether we are preaching for spiritual entertainment or spiritual formation.

Tags: Discipleship

Why Small Churches Don’t Grow

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 21, 2024

Small church growth stalls for reasons deeper than numbers. These ten barriers reveal why congregations stay stuck and how leaders can pursue renewed health and mission.

Scripture: John 13:35, Psalm 85:6, Luke 11:1-2

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, church, Pastoral Leadership, Small Church Growth, Congregational Renewal, Spiritual Vitality, Church Health, Small Church, Church Practices, pastoral leadership, spiritual vitality, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Said Yes To Pastoral Ministry

By Chuck Warnock on Dec 16, 2022

Pastoral calling can fade under pressure, success, or discouragement. This reflection uncovers why ministers lose sight of their call and how to remember it again.

Tags: Church, Call, pastor, Pastors, Small Church, Church General, Pastoral Calling, Clergy Encouragement, Leadership General, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Renewal, Pastor, church, Ministry Burnout  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Pace Before I Preach

By Walter Wangerin Jr. on May 1, 2020

On the night before I preach, I pace—back and forth in my room, mumbling sermonic thoughts, testing them, scorning a hundred thoughts, exulting in one or two that shine like coin, investing those.

Tags: Preaching, preparation, preaching