In Preaching Articles: "Garbage Out"

Getting Out Of The Sermon Prep Rut

By Matt Brough on Nov 15, 2024

One of the challenges for preachers who have been preaching for some time is that it is much easier to coast, to do less preparation and to simply rely on your experience.

Tags: Preaching Rut, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, problem, sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

How To Make Easter Stand Out

By Peter Mead on Mar 31, 2026

Easter is the real ground zero of the Christian faith. We tend to, or should, return to it week after week. So what do we do when Easter comes around?

Scripture: John 15:1-10

Tags: Jesus, Easter, Crucifixion, Preaching, ground zero, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You Cannot Out-Dream God

By Marshall Segal on Jul 11, 2023

We tend to think our dreams were too big when we were young, say when we were six, and too small as we get older. But maybe our dreams never reach high enough.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 10:33, Isaiah 43:7, Matthew 4:8, Psalm 49:16-17, Matthew 6:19-21, John 5:44, John 12:43, Matthew 6:1, Psalm 115:1, Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 16:11, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Ephesians 2:5, 1 Timothy 4:7, Matthew 19:29  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Dreams, Materialism, eternal perspective, Following God's will

Search And Rescue

By Lance Witt on Oct 22, 2023

Outside the walls of your church, there is a spiritual harvest waiting to be reaped. Like Jesus, we must be broken for the broken.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Tags: Evangelism, Reconciliation, pastoral leadership, Reaching out, To be disabled, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Preach Eutychus Out The Window

By Jonathan Herron on Jul 25, 2021

Biblical truth must be preached with clarity and conviction, but also with life and engagement. Lifeless preaching risks losing the next generation.

Scripture: John 3:5-10, Acts 20:9-12, Romans 10:17, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: preaching, Young, Preaching, boring, Next Generation, deadly  (view more)  (view less)

Why Do The Psalms Cry Out To God For Vengeance?

By Walter Brueggemann on Apr 9, 2026

The Bible doesn't look the other way when it comes to raw human emotion. How should we preach these Psalms?

Tags: Psalms, Preaching, Trial, vengeance, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Epidemic: Another Pastor Burned Out And Quit Last Sunday

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 21, 2021

It never gets easier. No matter how many times you hear about it. And we're hearing about it a lot more lately. In epidemic numbers.

Tags: Pastoral Character, success in ministry, avoiding burnout, praying for pastors

Cut Off Your Hand, Tear Out Your Eye

By Ray Ortlund on Aug 2, 2022

Hard words are not harmful words—when they come from Jesus. The real Jesus loves us enough to accept us freely and confront us honestly.

Scripture: Colossians 2:23, Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 13:21, Matthew 5:6, Titus 2:11-12, Hebrews 12:4, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Matthew 5:29-30  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, soul care, Hard Teaching

Smaller Churches Can Do Discipleship—without Wearing Out The Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 11, 2021

After a few hit-and-miss attempts, our church has discovered a simple five-step process that can work for any small church.

Tags: Preaching, Process, Small Church, Limitations, preaching, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Why Your Sermon Lost Me: Five Reasons People Check Out

By Patrick Holden on Sep 2, 2020

Five common communication mistakes that cause audiences to disengage and how preachers can keep listeners attentive and responsive.

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8, Ecclesiastes 12:10, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (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)

Al Mohler: Don't Come Out Of Your Pastor's Study Until ...

By Albert Mohler on Feb 26, 2026

In 109 seconds, Al Mohler will inspire you to study--and master--your preaching text.

Tags: preaching, Study, Preaching, Master, preaching text, al mohler  (view more)  (view less)

I Can’t Figure Out Millennials: 3 Reasons To Stay Connected

By Steven A. Hitz on Mar 15, 2022

There is a growing disconnect with Millennials because of the stereotypes many people hold about them.

Tags: Millenial, Listening, future generations, Generations

These Six Questions Reveal How Well You Are Engaged In Your Neighborhood

By Karina Kreminski on Jun 2, 2024

"What does it look like to keep ourselves accountable to joining with God on his mission in our neighborhood?"

Tags: Outreach, neighborhood, reaching the lost, community outreach, Inviting others, open to others, Reaching out, Loving the lost  (view more)  (view less)

You've Given The Altar Call: Now Watch Out For 7 Mistakes Afterward

By David R. Smith on Oct 14, 2019

"There's nothing more frustrating to me than seeing someone fall between the cracks at such a pivotal moment because of missed opportunities and careless mistakes."

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, altar, Invitation, unbeliever  (view more)  (view less)