In Preaching Articles: "Center"

Is Your Preaching Teacher-Centered Or Learner-Centered?

By Thom Schultz on May 17, 2023

Effective preaching prioritizes spiritual growth over personal preference. Pastors must ask whether their methods truly serve the people they are called to teach.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Colossians 1:28, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: New, Preaching, embrace, Preacher, Method, preaching, preacher  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching God-Centered?

By Bernie Van Eyk on Sep 10, 2024

People crave practical help, but their deepest need is God Himself. God-centered preaching lifts hearts from self to the glory revealed in Jesus Christ.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:4, Genesis 1:1, Psalm 73:17-26, John 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

Why Preaching Must Be God-Centered

By Bernie Van Eyk on May 25, 2021

Many sermons focus on human needs rather than God’s glory. Scripture calls preachers to proclaim the greatness of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, John 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Acts 20:27, Psalm 73:25-26  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: God, Preaching, focus, Center, biblical theology, preaching, Biblical Theology  (view more)  (view less)

Gospel-Centered Sermons Actually Work

By Jeff Medders on Nov 15, 2022

"I want to encourage every pastor reading this to keep preaching the gospel. Week in. Week out. Keep exalting, heralding, and lifting up our crucified Savior, risen from the dead, reigning in Heaven, saving all who will look to him and believe."

Scripture: Romans 16:25, Colossians 1:28, 1 Corinthians 2:2

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, teach, pastoral leadership, Entrust with Gospel, Pastoral Ministry, preaching Christ, power of the gospel, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You Won't Believe What Many Pastors Leave Out Of Their Sermons

By Peter Mead on Jun 8, 2025

Biblical instruction is central to preaching, but sermons can easily drift into moralism. Faithful preaching places commands within the larger gospel story of sin, grace, and transformation.

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:8-10, Luke 15:25-32, Titus 2:11-12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Omission, Gospel centered, preaching, Gospel Centered  (view more)  (view less)

Sharpen Your Sermon With A God-Centered Checklist

By Jared Moore on Sep 18, 2025

If you want to help your people focus on God when they leave church tomorrow, here are 11 things that you cannot do.

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Preaching, Checklist, joke, Sharpen, preaching, God centered, God Centered  (view more)  (view less)

From Desiring God: Beware Of Gluten-Free Preaching

By Phillip Bethancourt on Jan 11, 2026

"The gluten of the gospel must be kneaded into every Christian sermon."

Tags: Christ Centered Preaching

11 Mistakes That Take Your Preaching Focus Off Jesus

By Jared Moore on May 7, 2023

God-centered preaching helps hearers focus on the glory of God. These common preaching mistakes distract from Scripture and keep listeners from seeing Christ.

Scripture: Luke 24:27, John 5:39, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, mistakes, focus, preaching, God centered, God Centered  (view more)  (view less)

Pulpit Abuse: What It Is And How To Stop It

By Calvin Miller on Sep 22, 2024

Preachers must guard against hijacking sermons with hobbies, grievances, politics, or personal therapy instead of proclaiming Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 24:28, 2 Timothy 4:2, James 3:1, Colossians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Christ Centered, preaching

"I Felt My Soul Rejoice”: The Christ-Centered Happiness Of David Brainer

By Randy Alcorn on Nov 11, 2022

"If a young man without modern medicine and dying of an excruciating disease could make choices that brought him happiness in Christ, surely we can too."

Tags: Missionary, Hope, hope in Christ, eternal perspective, Joy in Suffering, Delight in the Lord, Joy in Christ, enduring suffering  (view more)  (view less)

7 Steps To Help Your Good, But Slightly Off-Center Message Break Through The Noise

By Karl Vaters on Oct 26, 2023

When your message is off-center, the quality matters even more.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, preaching tips, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

I Prepare My Sermons By Dancing

By Derwin Gray on Dec 15, 2020

Faithful preaching requires more than good communication. These five principles help pastors prepare sermons that are prayerful, Christ-centered, and life-changing.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24, Ezra 7:10, Luke 24:27, John 5:39-40, 2 Timothy 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, dance, teach, preaching, Christ Centered Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

It's All About The Groom

By Lance Witt on Apr 11, 2024

In a healthy church Jesus is the most famous person. He gets the most airtime, he is the most talked about, and he is clearly center stage.

Scripture: Revelation 19:7, John 3:29, Song of Songs 8:1-4

Tags: Church Health, Pastoral Character, fixing eyes on Jesus, Christ Centered

8 Ideas To Make Your Christmas Eve Service Memorable

By Josh Reich on Dec 19, 2024

Christmas Eve is coming, and millions of people will walk into a church to experience something. But what will they get when they walk into your church or mine?

Tags: Christmas, Advent, Christmas Eve, invite, Simplicity, Gospel centered, church leadership, Christmas Service  (view more)  (view less)

11 Common Preaching Mistakes That Distract From God

By Jared Moore on Jan 4, 2026

Avoid 11 common preaching mistakes that shift focus from God to yourself. Learn how to preach Christ-centered sermons that point hearers to God’s truth.

Tags: preaching tips, Expository Preaching, expository preaching, Preaching Tips, Preaching Mistakes, Biblical Communication, Christ Centered Sermons  (view more)  (view less)