In Preaching Articles: "Why People Lie"

How To Stop People From Playing On Their Phones In Church

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 20, 2025

Cell phones in church don't bother me because I've discovered an ancient secret that keeps people from getting bored in church.

Tags: preaching, Discipleship, Preaching, Entertainment, Boredom, better church  (view more)  (view less)

Are We More Invested In Bringing People To Church Or Jesus?

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 4, 2021

Church attendance should be a tool to help people draw closer to Jesus. Not the other way around.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Preaching

How To Lead People-Friendly Change In Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 13, 2022

I’ve been studying the art of change management lately and wanted to share a process with you that could save you a lot of grief the next time you think about a change in your church’s programs or procedures.

Tags: Communication, leadership, Change, Resilience, Leadership, communication  (view more)  (view less)

God Seeks People To Worship Him In Spirit And Truth

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 20, 2022

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)

Scripture: John 3:6, John 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, John 4:4-6, Proverbs 13:14, John 7:37-39, John 4:14, John 14:26, Matthew 15:8, 1 Thessalonians 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Gospel of John, Dead in sin, Jesus Teachings, Spirit and Truth, Spiritually Dead, Woman at the well  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Preaching For The Easy Shout?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 1, 2025

We want to give people hope, but why should we shield them from the pain of living?

Scripture: Matthew 23:33-36

Tags: Hope, Preaching, shout, preaching, Pain, pain  (view more)  (view less)

Why "Preach Like The Room Is Full" Is Some Of The Worst Advice

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 16, 2025

"Even if only three people show up to church, preach like the room is full!" That's some of the worst advice I've ever received in ministry.

Tags: Preaching, opportunity, full room, terrible advice, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

A Matter Of Integrity: Why Christians Must Stop Taking The Fake News Bait

By Karl Vaters on Apr 4, 2022

Christians should have the reputation for being the most truthful people on earth. But we don’t.

Scripture: Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20, Deuteronomy 4:20

Tags: priorities, Dishonesty, Truth and Lies, stand for truth, e  (view more)  (view less)

Why We Need To Seriously Reconsider The Idea Behind The Altar Call

By Jeff K. Clarke on Sep 15, 2025

We are so desperate to have people make a decision that we rarely, if ever, tell them about the costs associated with making that decision.

Tags: costs, preaching, Discipleship, Preaching, converts, altar call  (view more)  (view less)

Why Do I Urge All Pastors To Preach Expository Sermons?

By Brian Croft on Oct 18, 2023

There are all kinds of different sermons a preacher can preach, but the most helpful for a pastor to feed his people with week after week is expository sermons.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Love, Preaching, Expository, the word of god, Feeding The Flock, preaching, expository  (view more)  (view less)

Why The Cross Is Not Enough

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 24, 2021

Christian faith cannot stop at the cross alone. The full pattern of Christ’s work includes incarnation, sacrifice, and resurrection power.

Scripture: John 1:14, John 10:18, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Philippians 2:5-8, Romans 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Cross, Enough, Powerful, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

When People Leave: 4 Lessons In Rejection From Jesus

By Greg Surratt on Jul 8, 2021

Watching people leave hurts, even for pastors. Jesus’ response in John 6 shows how to process that pain with security in the Father’s love, trusted friends, and confidence in God’s sovereignty.

Scripture: John 6:25-71, John 11:35, Romans 8:28, Matthew 3:17, Hebrews 13:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, leadership, Preaching, Rejection, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Ways Pastors Can Help People Deal With Doubts

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 12, 2020

It seems like doubt is a popular subject these days, but doubt comes with a price. Here are six ideas that could help any pastor when asked to speak about the subject of doubt.

Scripture: John 20:24-31, Jeremiah 29:13, Mark 9:24, Acts 9:1-9

Tags: Spiritual Formation, Faith, doubt, Belief, spiritual formation  (view more)  (view less)

What Do Your People Want To Hear From The Pulpit?

By Ron Allen on Sep 14, 2020

Research with 263 churchgoers reveals what listeners truly want from sermons: biblical depth, real-life connection, and courage on hard issues.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Nehemiah 8:8, James 1:22, Acts 20:27, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

What Do People Actually Remember From Your Sermon?

By Safiyah Fosua on Jan 20, 2024

Listeners forget most of what we preach. Discover three qualities that make sermons stick: fresh perspective, human depth, and deep rooting in Scripture.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Luke 15:11-32, John 4:1-26, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Preaching, application, preaching, Application

Adaptive Leadership: How Leaders Help People Mind The Gap

By Tod Bolsinger on Jun 9, 2021

Adaptive leadership helps organizations face the gap between their stated values and lived reality. Wise leaders guide people through learning, growth, and change.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17, James 1:5, Ephesians 4:15-16, 1 Peter 5:2-3

Tags: transform, Growth, leadership, Preaching, work, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)