In Preaching Articles: "Control"

Allowing The Spirit To Take Control Of Your Sermon

By Leslie Holmes on Apr 16, 2025

Somewhere inside most of us who preach lingers the need to be in control. It's what we do best, but being in control is the worst thing we can be when it comes to preaching!

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preaching, Triune, Holy Spirit General, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Deal With Control Freaks In Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 13, 2026

Especially in small churches, each member has greater impact. This tends to attract control freaks. But we can deal with them lovingly and effectively.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The Most Difficult Aspect Of Praying

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 7, 2024

"If we cannot walk by faith and believe by faith–a redundancy, of course–we will stop praying."

Scripture: Psalm 23:3, Luke 18:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tags: Faith, Prayer, God's Will, Confidence, Trust God, God in control, God hears prayer  (view more)  (view less)

How Your Calendar Is Killing You (And What To Do About It)

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 30, 2024

Here’s the sad truth: when your calendar is out of control, so are you. And so is your life.

Tags: pastoral leadership, Busyness, Time Management, productivity, Personal Life, Balanced Life, Workplace Balance, Schedule  (view more)  (view less)

Sorry, Pastors – The Growth Of The Church Is Not Up To Us

By Karl Vaters on Jun 4, 2024

"Preaching the Word, training disciples and ministering to the community may or may not increase the number of people who sit in front of me from Sunday to Sunday. But it will produce a healthy church."

Tags: pastoral leadership, call to discipleship, church leadership, Church Growth, Surrender, Healthy Church, God's Church, God in control  (view more)  (view less)

How To Enjoy Christmas As A Pastor

By Lance Witt on Dec 18, 2024

About 3 years ago, it was the very end of December and I was not in a good place. I was frustrated and honestly I was mad at myself. Our schedule had been out of control and I was worn out.

Scripture: Luke 2:17-19, Luke 2:8

Tags: Mary, Christmas, pastoral leadership, Time of Reflection

Why Kids Need Exegetical Bible Teaching For The Long Haul

By Cameron Cole on Nov 14, 2022

"Preparing kids to face the real world on their own is scary and daunting. There are only so many things we can do and there are no guarantees. Within the realm of things, we can control resides the teaching of God’s word."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Youth Ministry, guard the truth, child training, Discipleship, teach, parenting, Equip, parenthood  (view more)  (view less)

The Gift Of Being Unproductive - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Mar 29, 2024

Over time I’ve learned that Sabbath is not a have-to, it’s a get-to. This incredible gift from God allows us to reflect, restore, and replenish. During Sabbath God whispers, “I’m in control.

Tags:

4 Easy Steps To Healthy Delegation

By Ron Edmondson on May 20, 2024

How do we let go of responsibility when we are wired so heavily towards not doing so? How do we delegate when the church holds us responsible for getting things done? How do we let go when doing so makes us sometimes feel so out of control?

Tags: church leadership, delegating, Effective Leadership, Healthy Ministry, Pride, letting go, multiply, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Hope And Perspective When We’re Dealing With Doubt

By Randy Alcorn on Dec 2, 2022

"In times of doubt, difficulty, and trials, our fundamental beliefs about God and our faith are revealed. So how can Christians find faith in the midst of doubt? How can they trust God’s plan when their lives seem out of His control, and prayers seem to go unanswered or, sometimes it feels, even unheard?"

Scripture: Romans 10:17, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11, 2 Timothy 3:16, Job 23:10, Isaiah 43:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Test of Faith, sovereignty of God, doubt, Perseverance, suffering, tragedy, Promises of God, Genuine Faith  (view more)  (view less)