In Preaching Articles: "Words do hurt"

Four Foundations Of Handling God's Word

By Ed Stetzer on Aug 13, 2021

LifeWay Research discovered four common factors in good preaching. Are they part of yours?

Tags: Bible, Preaching, Useful, God's Word, sufficient  (view more)  (view less)

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

5 Words Of Wisdom To A Growing Church

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 11, 2022

It is GOD’s Kingdom, not ours, that is expanding. We may work hard and dream big, but every single spiritual change we see in the lives of people is completely and entirely a work of God.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15

Tags: Wisdom, Humility, Church Growth, relational leaders

Words Create Worlds… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Aug 17, 2023

As a leader, your words carry more weight and they have more staying power. Your words get amplified and magnified.

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 16:24, Proverbs 12:25, Matthew 3:17, Proverbs 18:20, Proverbs 25:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Influence, kind words, Blessing Others, Encouraging Others

The Word Nobody Likes… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jun 17, 2024

A couple of years ago I had the chance to sit down with a former staff member that had served on my team more than a decade ago. We really hadn’t kept in touch very much. At one point during our lunch the conversation turned more serious. And in a moment of candor he said to me “You know, you weren’t very easy to work for.” The truth is, he was right.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:5-6, Galatians 2:11-13

Tags: Humility, leadership, Accountability, Rebuke, Teachable, pastoral leadership, unteachable spirit, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Word Nobody Likes… Part 2

By Lance Witt on Dec 5, 2023

One of the reasons the word accountability gets a bad rap is because of the way some people have carried out accountability. Holding people accountable is not using your position as a club to embarrass, humiliate, mistreat, belittle or shame people. Our accountability of people should make those on our team better not bitter.

Scripture: Daniel 6:1

Tags: Humility, leadership, relationships, Accountability, Performance, Feedback, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Empowering Others, Effective Leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Do We Have To Be Perfect To Preach?

By Dean Shriver on Feb 10, 2025

The call to preach requires more of us than verbal proclamation of truth. We must not only speak God’s Word so it can be heard; we must live God’s Word so it can be seen.

Scripture: John 1:14, John 1:14

Tags: Preaching, preaching

God’s Work In Your Depression

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 5, 2022

“Is this depression? I have almost no motivation for anything. I have been praying and I will keep praying for God to be my strength but how do you fight when you don’t feel like fighting?"

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2-3, Psalm 139:11-12

Tags: Emotions, Healing, endurance, Depression, Struggles, soul care, Fighting for Joy, Help for the Hurting  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ideas For Creativity In Series Planning

By Peter Mead on Jun 27, 2023

I believe in preaching series through books of the Bible. I do it. I teach others to do it. But I think we could all do with some extra creativity when it comes to planning a series.

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:4

Tags: Bible, Preaching, preaching the Word, sermon series, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Is There A Bible Verse For Everything? What The New Testament Doesn't Tell Us

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 4, 2019

Those who demand a Scripture verse for everything they do place an intolerable burden on the Christian life never intended by the Heavenly Father.

Tags: Bible, Preaching, verse, Demand, Word, e  (view more)  (view less)

How Do I Study A Specific Topic In The Bible?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 7, 2022

Studying the Bible does not need to be complex. Simple tools can help us glean amazing insights from the word.

Scripture: Proverbs 2:3-6, Jeremiah 29:13, 2 Timothy 2:7

Tags: BIBLE STUDY, Personal Growth, writing, spiritual growth, Bible Study, Spiritual Discipline, Journaling, Concordance, bible study  (view more)  (view less)

Make Your Sermons Sticky With Just Three Words

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 8, 2021

Could it possibly be just this simple? Karl Vaters offers a startling suggestion.

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28, Exodus 3:1-15

Tags: Message, Preaching, How to pray, sticky, karl vaters, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Stay Healthy While Pastoring An Unhealthy Church

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 31, 2021

Hurting churches hurt people. Including pastors who try to help them. Here are 9 principles to help you stay strong.

Tags: Sabbath, Boundaries, pastoral leadership, Broken Church

What Do Your Gestures Say While You Preach?

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 2, 2024

It's true: we speak with more than words, more than our voice. How does your body preach?

Tags: Preaching, effective, gestures, thom rainer, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Powerful Words We Rarely Hear From Preachers

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 27, 2021

As leaders we need to recognize the moment when there are no words to be said, no comfort to be offered, no solutions to be given.

Scripture: John 1:1-15

Tags: Preaching, Knowledge, expert, Expectation, leaders, preaching  (view more)  (view less)