In Preaching Articles: "Needs"

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

Christmas Preaching Needs Resurrecting!

By Chris Surber on Dec 24, 2024

Christmas preaching grows dull when familiarity numbs us to the outrage and glory of the Incarnation. The cure is not skipping Advent, but recovering wonder.

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40, Mark 11:1-10, Matthew 1:21, John 1:14

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, virgin birth, preaching, Virgin Birth  (view more)  (view less)

We Need A Theology Of Rest

By Lance Witt on Jul 27, 2023

You don’t have to be running at an insane pace to be running on empty. I think the primary issue here isn’t the size of your ministry or the pace of your ministry. The PRIMARY issue has to do with the health of your soul (your interior life).

Scripture: Proverbs 14:8, Exodus 33:14-15, Jeremiah 6:16

Tags: Wisdom, Rest, endurance with joy, spiritual leadership, entering God's rest  (view more)  (view less)

10 Sacred Cows That Need To Be Tipped

By Jared Moore on Sep 7, 2024

From entertainment-driven sermons to numbers-obsessed ministry, this article challenges common church practices that subtly undermine biblical faithfulness.

Scripture: John 21:20-22, Matthew 28:18-20, John 4:23-24, 1 Corinthians 1:21, Galatians 1:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Leadership, Preaching Ministry, Preaching, Faithfulness, Method, church leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Does Everything Need A Biblical Precedent?

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 3, 2020

Some Christians reject anything new without a clear biblical precedent. Yet Scripture shows a God who often works in surprising and unexpected ways.

Scripture: Matthew 13:52, Acts 2:1-4, Joshua 10:13, Acts 8:39, 2 Kings 2:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Congregation, unprecedented, church, Faith, Church, Change  (view more)  (view less)

Why Church Creativity Needs Structure

By Adam Russell on Jun 10, 2025

Creativity in the church does not flourish in chaos. Like vines in a vineyard, creative gifts require structure and support to produce lasting fruit.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27-28, John 15:5, Proverbs 29:18, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry Development, Fruit, leadership, creative, potential, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

What Guest Speakers Need To Know

By Pete Wilson on Feb 7, 2023

Guest speaking is an honor that comes with real responsibilities. Four practical guidelines for visiting preachers, plus an honest confession about what guest speakers rarely admit out loud.

Scripture: Luke 4:18-19, Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 4:10, Colossians 3:23

Tags: methodology, preaching, Guest Preaching, controversy, Preaching, Respect, guest preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Does The Pulpit Need Orators Or Prophets?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 18, 2023

We've all seen preachers who think that they can get away with oratorical talent rather than Spirit-led inspiration.

Tags: Prophet, Preaching, Talent, john the baptist, orator, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

We All Need Adversity And Affliction

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 23, 2022

I would not exchange any of my discipline-afflictions for anything. In fact, I have made it a habit to keep asking God to discipline me. This isn’t because I love affliction, but because the hope in God I’ve tasted in the promises of God I’ve trusted in the darkest days are the sweetest things my soul has ever known.

Scripture: Psalm 119:71-72, Hebrews 12:11

Tags: Adversity, sanctification, Hardship of Life, Spiritual Maturity, Christian Maturity, joy in trials, spiritual immaturity, fruit of sorrow  (view more)  (view less)

Francis Chan: We Need To Think Biblically

By Francis Chan on Mar 10, 2025

Francis Chan says that his life is not radical compared to the lives in the Book of Acts.

Tags: radical, weird, Bible Influence, preaching, Commitment, Preaching, action  (view more)  (view less)

Why Every Sermon Needs A Clear Outline

By Joe Mckeever on May 17, 2025

Great preaching requires clarity and structure. A well-crafted sermon outline helps both the preacher and the congregation follow and remember the message.

Scripture: Romans 10:1-12, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 14:40, Ezra 7:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Brain, Outline, Homiletics, brain, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Children Need To Hear The Whole Bible

By Melissa Kruger on Oct 10, 2024

Faithful preaching through all of Scripture inevitably addresses difficult topics. When the church teaches the whole Bible, it helps parents guide children through important conversations in a biblical context.

Scripture: Acts 20:27, Deuteronomy 31:12-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 119:9, Ephesians 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Sex, preaching, church, Family Discipleship, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Why Every Sermon Needs A Strong Title

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Dec 11, 2021

Some preachers question whether sermon titles are necessary, but a well-chosen title can clarify, guide, and reinforce the main point of a message for both preacher and listener.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Choose, title, Pastoral Ministry

You Need To Know This Before You Preach

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 24, 2023

Here's a five-minute recap of the week's biggest news stories. Make sure you're in-the-know before you step into the pulpit this Sunday.

Scripture: James 5:10-20

Tags: News, Politics, current events, world news, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Great Preaching Needs Courage ... In The Pulpit And In The Pews

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 19, 2024

Can we talk about courage? This is as rare as plutonium these days, particularly among the very people who should demonstrate it most readily, the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tags: Preaching, Courage, compromise, pressure, Compromise, preaching  (view more)  (view less)