In Preaching Articles:

I Didn't Think Preachers Wrote Their Own Sermons Anymore

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Feb 25, 2026

Preacher: God *will* give you something to say!

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Guest-Preaching Has Risks: For The Church That Invited You

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Feb 17, 2026

The cardinal rule: As a guest preacher, don’t make a mess for the pastor to clean up when you leave.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How To Guard Your Heart In The Pulpit: 5 Ways To Stay Grounded While Preaching

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Jan 27, 2026

Preaching is a public act of worship, but it’s also a spiritual battleground. Learn five essential ways to guard your heart as you step into the pulpit.

Tags: preaching tips, Preaching Tips

Preach The Tone Of The Text To Bring The Truth Of The Text

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Jan 10, 2026

A key way to guard from selling-out the truth during in the pulpit is to preach the tone of the text.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Tags: Homiletics, preaching tips, Pastoral Ministry, biblical preaching, Preaching Tips, Biblical Preaching, Expository Sermons  (view more)  (view less)

A Novel Idea For Preaching Christmas

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Dec 8, 2025

We assume our congregations know the biblical story and doctrinal meaning of Christmas. So we avoid major texts and look for something new or novel to say about the old, old story.

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12-15

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, Birth of Jesus, storytelling, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things Every Pastor Should Have In Check Before Sunday

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Oct 27, 2025

We may pray that God would hide us behind the cross as we preach. But there is no place to hide in the pulpit.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Tags: Preaching, preaching

10 Ways To Avoid Indecent Exposure In The Pulpit

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 14, 2025

Sermon illustrations can clarify truth or distract from it. Here are ten principles to help preachers use personal stories with wisdom and restraint.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5, Proverbs 11:13, James 3:1, Ephesians 4:29, 1 Corinthians 10:31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, pulpit, Modesty, Exposure, preaching, Pulpit, Sermon Illustrations  (view more)  (view less)

Start Strong: The Discipline Of The Sermon Introduction

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 10, 2025

The sermon introduction sets direction, tone, and trust. A strong beginning clarifies the text, states the point, and prepares the congregation to listen carefully.

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 5:44-45

Tags: Love, Emotions, Preaching, Introduction, Faithful, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)

Are Your Sermon Illustrations Really Indecent Exposure? 10 Critical Checkpoints

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 13, 2024

Sermon illustrations should be like letting sunlight into a window, not like putting a spotlight on a stage.

Scripture: Amos 5:4-15

Tags:

How Can The Pew Help The Pulpit?

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Mar 7, 2024

Good preaching is a partnership between pastor and congregation, pulpit and pew, the one who preaches and the one who listens.

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Congregation, Encourage, Partnership, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You Are Not The Story!

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 3, 2022

People should not leave the sermon having learned more about the preacher than Christ. When we stand to preach the word, we should prayerfully whisper to ourselves, “You are not the story.”

Scripture: Colossians 1:28, John 12:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:1-2

Tags: Pride, God's Story, self importance, Bible as a story

How To Get Your Prayer To Work

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Mar 25, 2022

When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works!

Scripture: Matthew 6:10, Psalm 119:105, Mark 11:24, Hebrews 11:6, 1 John 5:14-15, Colossians 3:17, John 14:13, Matthew 6:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, God's Glory, Jesus Name, confidence in prayer

Do You Get Nervous Before You Preach?

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Feb 19, 2022

Even skilled, prepared, and experienced preachers get nervous at preaching time. If they do not, they should.

Tags: Preaching, Anxiety, Pray, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

H.b. Charles Remembers The Time He Shipwrecked His Sermon

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 18, 2021

It seemed like a good idea when he thought of it, but the reality in the pulpit was something very different!

Tags: Preaching, preaching

5 Excellent Reasons To Develop A Preaching Calendar And 3 Ways To Start

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 11, 2021

The fact that God knows our story--individually and corporately, from beginning to end--means we need not specialize in "Saturday night specials."

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Tags: Preaching, Prayer, corporate worship, preaching calendar, talk to team, preaching  (view more)  (view less)