In Preaching Articles:

Your Sermon May Solve Problems But Is That Enough?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 11, 2025

Address people where they are, but take them to another place to meet the Sovereign of the Universe.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

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

Does Your Preaching Prepare People For God's Kingdom?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 30, 2025

We often fall into the trap of preaching designed to merely provide tools to become more successful in this present world rather than becoming ambassadors of the coming Kingdom.

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, prepare, Confront, God's Kingdom, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is The Bible The Seasoning Or The Steak In Your Sermon?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jun 19, 2025

"I have a sermon; maybe you can help me find a Scripture so that I can preach it."

Tags: Bible, Preaching, seasoning, e, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Your Preaching Should Be Out Of This World--Seriously

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 25, 2024

Beware of preaching that merely provides tools to help us become better situated in this present world rather than helping us to become ambassadors of the coming Kingdom.

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, Poverty, Debate, Confront, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Willing To Be Misunderstood -- From The Pulpit?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 22, 2024

Sherman Cox takes up Will Willimon's challenge to preachers everywhere.

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-13

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, Relevance, Confront, will willimon, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Preach The Coming Kingdom?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 16, 2023

Sherman Cox explores the meaning of "as you go ... "

Tags: Preaching, Kingdom, end of the world, preaching

Great, You've Got A Theme, But Do You Have A Sermon?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jun 6, 2023

Do you ALWAYS have to start with a text? Sherman Cox says "no."

Scripture: 1 John 5:3

Tags: Idea, Preaching, Text, preaching

Are You Running From Your Calling As A Preacher?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 31, 2023

Some pastors avoid difficult truths in preaching, choosing encouragement over correction. Faithful ministry requires proclaiming the whole counsel of God, even when it is uncomfortable.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:12, Isaiah 55:11, 1 Peter 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, teach, run, Biblical, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

3 Building Blocks Of A Truly Memorable Sermon

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 26, 2023

Help your listeners connect with your preaching points--and their purpose!

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40

Tags: Preaching, Building Blocks, memorable sermon, strong points, illustrate, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

One-Sided Preaching Misrepresents God: How Many Sides Does Your Preaching Have?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 11, 2023

"Great preaching recognizes that God has called the preacher to be both a prophet and a priest."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15-19

Tags: Prophet, Preaching, priest, preaching

The Danger Of The Unrelated Point In Preaching

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 2, 2023

A sermon can contain many true statements yet still fail if those truths are disconnected from the text’s main point. Preachers must discipline themselves to maintain clarity and focus.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Proverbs 4:25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Power, Preaching, Homiletics, points, aside, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

My Sermon ... With A Little Bit Of Bible Thrown In

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Apr 15, 2023

"If you ain't struggled with the Scripture, we have something else other than a sermon."

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Preaching, Research, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

One Question That Can Ruin Your Sermon Prep—in The Best Way

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 20, 2023

If you have never asked yourself this question, you might end up preaching to the mind while steering totally clear of the soul.

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Tags: Soul, Preaching, Mind, need, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Trust Your Stuff: Two Ways To Know When Your Sermon Is Ready

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 13, 2023

You could study and prep for 100 hours and still find something wrong with the sermon. Eventually, it's time to stand and deliver.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:20-30, Judges 6:1-16

Tags: Preaching, prepare, practice, Edit, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)