In Preaching Articles: "Worst Sermon"

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 30, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

How Can I Better Study A Bible Passage?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 26, 2022

“Think over what I say,” commands the Lord. How can a faithful student of the Bible do this without leaning on commentaries and scholars?

Scripture: Romans 1:15-17, 2 Timothy 2:7

Tags: Bible, Scripture, BIBLE STUDY, Bible Study, sermon prep, Study Scripture, Study Techniques, Feast on the Word, Sermon Prep, bible study, bible  (view more)  (view less)

How To Keep Sermon Illustrations Fresh And Engaging

By Erik Raymond on Jun 16, 2021

Predictable illustrations can weaken otherwise strong sermons. Preachers can refresh their preaching by intentionally filling their minds with richer sources of insight and stories.

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-5:22, Luke 6:45, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Colossians 4:6, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Read, Preaching, biography, newspaper, Classic, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Sermon Feedback: 6 Questions For Better Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jul 19, 2024

Clear, simple sermon-feedback questions help preachers grow. These six practical prompts reveal clarity, engagement, biblical accuracy, and delivery strengths.

Scripture: Acts 8:25

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, experience, Improvement, evaluation, Homiletics, WORDS THAT KILL, Pastoral Ministry, Communication skills, improvement, criticism, preaching, Communication Skills  (view more)  (view less)

How To Craft Sermon Openers That Grab Attention

By Tyler Scarlett on Feb 26, 2025

A wandering introduction loses listeners before the sermon even begins. Strong, simple, and compelling first sentences draw people in and prepare them to hear God’s Word.

Scripture: Titus 2:2, Titus 2:1-2, Philippians 4:10-15, Romans 13:11-14

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

1,000 Sermons Will Change Your Life

By Trevin Wax on Mar 25, 2020

Pastors, don’t underestimate the cumulative effect of your preaching. You are not dumping information into brains. You are forming the habits of your people, teaching them how to read and understand and apply the Bible for themselves.

Tags: New life, church leadership, Church Leadership

6 Reasons To Preach The Same Sermon Twice

By Joe Mckeever on Apr 22, 2020

Many pastors avoid repeating sermons, but revisiting them can deepen impact, sharpen insight, and better serve a changing congregation. Here’s why repeats matter.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Matthew 13:1-23, Galatians 6:6, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, 2 Corinthians 4:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Expository Teaching

How To Evaluate A Sermon Using The Preach Framework

By Rev. Tejado Hanchell on Oct 2, 2020

Was it truly a great sermon? Use the PREACH rubric to evaluate preaching effectiveness through punctuality, relevance, exegesis, appearance, clarity, and conviction.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:11, Proverbs 25:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Excellence, church leadership, Church Leadership

A Christmas Sermon 1,700 Years Old

By Brian Orme on Dec 16, 2024

Seventeen centuries ago, Gregory of Nazianzus preached Christmas as cosmic upheaval, divine condescension, and joyful trembling. His sermon still instructs our worship.

Scripture: Psalm 96:1, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:14, Psalm 2:11

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, ancient, preaching, Gregory Of Nazianzus  (view more)  (view less)

When To Throw Away Your Sermon Notes

By Ted Smith on Nov 12, 2020

Preaching without notes is not inherently more spiritual than preaching from a manuscript. Wisdom, not romanticism, should govern the choice.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discernment, Preaching, neglect, habit, preaching, Notes  (view more)  (view less)

How To Make Sermon Preparation A Community Effort

By Todd Hiestand on Nov 19, 2020

Preaching is often treated as a solitary task, but collaborative sermon preparation can sharpen content, improve delivery, and strengthen church community.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:11, Ephesians 4:11-12, Hebrews 10:24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Community, family, Preaching, Group, encouragement, community, preaching, Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Why Every Sermon Needs A Clear Outline

By Joe Mckeever on May 16, 2025

Great preaching requires clarity and structure. A well-crafted sermon outline helps both the preacher and the congregation follow and remember the message.

Scripture: Romans 10:1-12, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 14:40, Ezra 7:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Brain, Outline, Homiletics, brain, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Every Sermon Should Speak Of The Trinity

By Jared Moore on Jun 1, 2021

The Trinity is not a peripheral doctrine but the very identity of the God Christians worship. Faithful preaching should regularly speak of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:1-18, Matthew 28:19, John 1:1-3, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 4:4-6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, trinity, Doctrine, Foundation, Systematic theology, preaching, Systematic Theology  (view more)  (view less)

4 Preaching Myths That Undermine Sermon Preparation

By Brian Orme on Jan 26, 2024

Wrong assumptions about sermon preparation can quietly shape a preacher’s mindset. Recognizing common myths helps pastors prepare messages with greater clarity, freedom, and faithfulness.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:12, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Proverbs 15:22, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hurt, Preaching, myth, hinder, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How Church Buildings Shape The Hearing Of A Sermon

By Ron Geyer on May 27, 2021

The design of a worship space influences how people listen, participate, and respond to preaching. Architecture, acoustics, and layout silently communicate priorities and shape the congregation’s experience of the Word.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:4-8, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 96:6, Hebrews 10:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Building, Preaching, Sound, room, Loud, preaching  (view more)  (view less)