In Preaching Articles: "Why Jesus Died"

The High Cost Of Free Porn

By Owen Strachan on Sep 16, 2022

Beyond severe psychological and social consequences, pornography hinders Jesus’s mission in the world.

Scripture: John 6:38, Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:37, Luke 15:1-7, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 3:9-10, Romans 8:13, Revelation 12:10-12, Colossians 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pornography, god's mission, Jesus' mission, Kingdom's Mission

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

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 20, 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

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

Why Small Churches Don’t Grow

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 20, 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 15, 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)

12 Reasons Why Church Membership Matters

By Jonathan Leeman on Feb 28, 2025

Church membership is more than a formality. It defines our identity, shapes our responsibilities, supports our leaders, and displays Christ’s kingdom to the world.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:20

Tags: Body of Christ, local church, Membership, Local Church, Body Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Pace Before I Preach

By Walter Wangerin Jr. on Apr 30, 2020

Preaching demands the whole person, and fear often accompanies love for God and His people. Pacing, trembling, and praying become part of delivering a faithful message.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:3, Jeremiah 20:9, Exodus 4:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:7, James 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Emotions, Preaching, pulpit, preparation, preaching, Pastoral Life, Pulpit  (view more)  (view less)

9 Reasons Why I Preach Expositionally

By Danny Slavich on Apr 11, 2025

Expository preaching allows God to set the agenda, keeps sermons Christ-centered, grounds the church in Scripture, and shapes both preacher and people.

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Luke 24:27, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 4:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, Church Leadership

Why You Should Share The Preaching Load

By Outreach Magazine on Apr 6, 2025

Busy teaching pastors need time away from the pulpit to study, pray, rest, and refocus on the goal.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2-25

Tags: Plan, Preaching, pulpit, Pastors, elders, preaching, Pulpit, Elders  (view more)  (view less)

Why The Clarity Of Scripture Deserves More Attention

By Peter Mead on Aug 6, 2021

The church rightly affirms the authority of Scripture but often neglects its clarity. Preaching should strengthen confidence in God’s Word, not undermine it.

Scripture: Psalm 19:7, Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Why Faithful Preaching Educates, Forms, And Mobilizes

By Ken Collins on Jul 26, 2020

Faithful preaching educates without elitism, addresses real spiritual pain, motivates discipleship, and ultimately glorifies God through transformed lives and obedient faith.

Scripture: John 1:14, Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, James 2:17, Luke 6:46, Matthew 7:16-20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, motivation, goals, education, Leadership General, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Keep Preaching The Second Coming

By Calvin Miller on Aug 4, 2020

Speculation has failed again and again, but the second coming of Christ remains central to Christian hope, readiness, and faithful living.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:4-6, Matthew 24:36, Acts 1:6-8, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, 2 Peter 3:11-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Eschatology, preaching

Why Powerful Preaching Requires Getting Personal

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 23, 2023

Solid sermon structure matters, but preaching becomes powerful when pastors risk personal vulnerability and let real life carry biblical truth home.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Psalm 40:1-3, James 5:10-11, Romans 8:18-25, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Story, storm, Pastoral Ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why All Faithful Preaching Includes Healing

By Frederick J Gaiser on Apr 18, 2025

Biblical preaching proclaims God’s kingdom, where forgiveness, restoration, and healing belong together. To preach Christ is to preach healing in its fullest sense.

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12, Psalm 103:1-3, Luke 7:50, Luke 17:19, Isaiah 2:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: preaching, Biblical Theology, Preaching, biblical theology

Why I Switched To Preaching From A Manuscript

By Jeff Medders on Aug 19, 2020

Manuscript preaching is not a crutch but a discipline. For many pastors, it strengthens clarity, delivery, humility, and long-term ministry fruitfulness.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Mark 6:1-8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10

Tags: manuscript, Outline