In Preaching Articles: "Comfortable"

Why Faithful Preaching Must Both Challenge And Comfort

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 10, 2023

Biblical preaching must both confront sin and comfort the hurting. Faithful ministers speak prophetically while also applying the healing hope of the gospel.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15-19, Psalm 30:5, Isaiah 61:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, priest, Leadership, preaching, Prophet, leadership  (view more)  (view less)

What Not To Say When Someone Dies

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 2, 2024

There is a danger turning faith into fairy tale for our own comfort. At the same time it may help us to approach someone with biblical truths after we understand their line of thinking.

Tags: Death, Comfort, Preaching, Funeral, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

John Piper’s Prayer In The Path Of Hurricanes

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 6, 2024

A prayer for those facing the impact of the recent hurricanes.

Scripture: Romans 8:39, Job 38:1, Luke 13:4, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 13:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Comfort, Perseverance, Hope, Prayer, glory of God, Hurricane, Grace of God, Serving Others, our rock  (view more)  (view less)

3 Powerful Words We Rarely Hear From Preachers

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 26, 2021

As leaders we need to recognize the moment when there are no words to be said, no comfort to be offered, no solutions to be given.

Scripture: John 1:1-15

Tags: Preaching, Knowledge, expert, Expectation, leaders, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Powerful Words We Rarely Hear From Preachers

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 2, 2025

As leaders we need to recognize the moment when there are no words to be said, no comfort to be offered, no solutions to be given.

Scripture: Judges 14:1-6

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Absorbing Correction: A Mark Of A Mature Man

By Brandon Cox on Dec 12, 2023

"If you want to grow up on the inside, then you have to get more comfortable with correction."

Scripture: Job 5:17-18

Tags: Marriage, leadership, Rebuke, CORRECTION, Humility and Pride, Growing in Faith, Taking Feedback, Receiving Correction, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Church Growth And The Work Of God

By Josh Reich on Oct 5, 2023

We know that God is the one who makes a church grow, that it isn’t on us. This is both a comfort and a problem.

Tags: Communication, vision, Discipleship, Church Growth, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Embracing All Saints: Dia De Muertos And Its Christian Significance

By Josh Read on Oct 28, 2025

As we approach late October, various cultural traditions emerge in communities across the United States. Among them, Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) stands out, celebrated with vibrant colors, marigolds, and a deep reverence for those who have gone before us. It’s easy to see this Mexican holiday as just a cultural event, yet for believers, it points to something greater: remembering those who came before us, giving thanks for God’s faithfulness, and celebrating our shared life in Christ.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Psalm 116:15, 1 Corinthians 15:55, Hebrews 12:1, Revelation 21:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Remembrance, hope in Christ, faithfulness of god, All Saints Day, Faithfulness of God, Hope in Christ, Grief and Comfort, Community and Testimony  (view more)  (view less)

Five Things To Avoid When Preaching A Funeral

By John Pond on Jun 25, 2021

Funeral preaching requires care, clarity, and gospel hope. Faithful pastors must comfort the grieving while pointing listeners to Christ and eternity.

Scripture: Psalm 116:15, John 11:25-26, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Philippians 1:21-23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Death, Heaven, Preaching, mistakes, Funeral, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach A Funeral For God's Glory

By Harry Reeder on Jun 20, 2025

Funerals confront people with eternity. Pastors must preach Christ clearly, offering true comfort to believers’ families and calling unbelievers to salvation.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15, John 11:25-26, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 2 Corinthians 5:8

Tags: Funeral, privilege, preach, preaching, Hope, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When The News Intrudes

By Eric Reed on Jan 5, 2025

Pastors must navigate public tragedy with discernment, comforting emotions, anchoring people in Scripture, and knowing when to speak and when to wait for true clarity.

Tags: Church, Preaching, Culture, Difficulties, disaster, media, Biblical wisdom, sermon preparation, Pastoral Leadership, Crisis Preaching, Cultural Discernment, Biblical Wisdom, pastoral leadership, Trials, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, culture  (view more)  (view less)

Get To The Point: Preaching Truth In An Age Of Tolerance

By Michael Catt on Sep 8, 2024

In a culture that prizes vagueness, faithful preaching must speak clearly. Biblical preaching challenges, confronts, and comforts with truth rooted in God’s Word.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:7, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27, James 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, preaching, culture, Church Leadership, Truth, Preaching, Culture  (view more)  (view less)

How Should Preachers Respond To Tragic Events?

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 28, 2024

Tragedies and national crises change what people need from the pulpit. Faithful pastors must be ready to bring biblical comfort, wisdom, and hope.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, James 1:5, Acts 20:27, Psalm 46:1, Romans 8:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hope

Willing To Be Misunderstood

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 21, 2024

Willimon’s The Intrusive Word challenges preachers to prioritize gospel faithfulness over cultural relevance, confronting the seeker-sensitive assumption that comfort leads to transformation.

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-13, Jude 1:3, 2 Timothy 4:3, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Isaiah 55:11  (view more)  (view less)

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

Though You Slay Me

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 20, 2022

For Shane Barnard, it came in the hospital room at the passing of his father. When the doctor informed Barnard and his mother that his father was dead, the flood of pain and shock came. As Barnard held his mother to comfort her, he says, as she wailed, she sang softly underneath her breath, the words of Job 1:21, "He gives, he takes, blessed be the name of the Lord."

Scripture: Philippians 3:10, John 6:66-67, Job 1:21

Tags: Worship, Perseverance, suffering, Surpassing Worth