In Preaching Articles:

How To Move Away From Watercolor Preaching

By Ray Hollenbach on Feb 28, 2026

Take ten minutes and write down the details from your preaching passage. Then ask yourself, “How can I help my listeners move from watercolor to the sharp clarity of oil?”

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Jesus: Friend To Sinners, No Friend To Sin

By Ray Hollenbach on Jan 15, 2026

Jesus befriended sinners without ignoring sin. Christians can hold truth and grace together without compromising either.

Tags: Grace, Jesus, Sin, Discipleship, Preaching, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Ten (Christmas) Sermon-Starters From The Life Of Mary

By Ray Hollenbach on Dec 25, 2025

Luke’s annunciation account is packed with phrases that carry more theological weight than we often notice. One line can carry an entire sermon.

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14, Galatians 4:4, Matthew 1:23

Tags: Christmas, Jesus, Power, Incarnation

4 Fresh Sermon Topics For The Christmas Season

By Ray Hollenbach on Dec 20, 2025

Some people think the Christmas verses are the stuff of Christmas pageants and cheesy dramas. They are also fuel for great preaching.

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-20

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, Dreams, God's sovereignty, family crisis, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Fill Your Christmas Preaching With Nobodies

By Ray Hollenbach on Dec 11, 2025

Jesus was smuggled into Bethlehem through the womb of a teenage girl, who gave birth in a barn. That’s different.

Tags: Mary, Christmas, Preaching, nobody, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Thanksgiving And The Will Of God: A Preacher's Guide

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 24, 2025

Thanksgiving sermons can sometimes sound like such a scolding, but guilt is a terrible motivation for giving thanks.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Tags: Thanksgiving, Thanks, motivation, guilt

3 Important Reasons Why You Should Preach On Thanksgiving A Month Early

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 17, 2025

Everyone knows they're supposed to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day, but the heart-attitude won't kick in by magic; it has to be cultivated.

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Tags: Thanksgiving, Preaching, Thankfulness, gratitude, holiday stress, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Shocking Truth About Growing In Jesus

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 10, 2025

Would you like to be a radical, against-the-gain follower of Jesus? Suggest this radical solution.

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why The Church? Six Bold Preaching Points

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 28, 2025

The bottom line is this: Church is God’s idea, and we ignore it at our peril.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Preaching, Equip, Church's witness, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 21, 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

5 Preaching Gems For Maundy Thursday

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 2, 2025

The Last Supper: More than history, more than a painting, it's the living example of how to go through stressful times.

Tags: Jesus, Easter, Preaching, Easter Maundy Thursday, the last supper, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Your Gospel Message Reveals About Your View Of The Gospel

By Ray Hollenbach on Sep 6, 2025

When we preach we plant seeds, but what will grow from the seeds we plant?

Tags: Ministry, Preaching, conflict, redemption, gospel message, ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 23, 2025

Beyond the weekly phrase, "Good word, Preacher," the spiritual lives of the people in your church provide excellent feedback regarding the effectiveness of your preaching.

Tags: believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation, spiritual health, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Three Foundational Passages For Growing Disciples Of Jesus

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 17, 2025

"Try to imagine talking about your subject every single day for two years. If the idea still thrills you, you've found your topic."

Tags: Jesus, Gospel, Growth, Discipleship, Disciples, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Change Your Ministry: Ten Books, Ten Months

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 25, 2025

The well-rounded preacher draws from multiple sources. How wide is your reading?

Tags: Ministry, inspiration, book, writer, ministry  (view more)  (view less)