In Preaching Articles: "Self Control"

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

Prisoners Of Self: Incessant Autobiography In The Smartphone Age

By Tony Reinke on Jul 20, 2022

The man doting over a smartphone screen, scrolling through media with his fingertips, is like a gorilla meticulously picking out little bugs from his own hair. That was the subversive quip of anthropologist Thomas de Zengotita.

Scripture: Isaiah 14:12-13, Job 1:7, Job 2:2, Luke 10:18, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Vanity, Technology, Appearance, Selfishness, social media, Cell Phone, Self Centeredness  (view more)  (view less)

When Preachers Intrude Too Much

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 21, 2024

Personal stories can help a sermon—but too much “me” distracts from Christ. This reflection warns preachers to minimize self and elevate the Savior.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5, Psalm 141:3, John 3:30, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 1 Peter 4:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Self examination, Sermon Craft, Self Examination

Preaching Real Gospel Change In A World Obsessed With Self-Improvement

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 6, 2025

True transformation is not moral effort but new life in Christ. Preachers must translate “change” into gospel terms, clarifying how God recreates, reshapes, and renews His people.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Change, Transformation, Christian Growth, New Life In Christ, counsel, Christian growth, new life in Christ, Spiritual Transformation, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

How Does A Sermon Differ From A Self-Help Video?

By Peter Mead on May 15, 2023

If listeners leave a sermon focused on themselves and their to-do list, something has gone wrong. Gospel preaching should leave people gazing at Christ, not striving under the weight of self-improvement.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19, Hebrews 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 2:20, Genesis 3:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hope, Preaching, Self, focus, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

The Dangers Of Self-Righteousness: Lessons From Luke 18:9-14

By Josh Read on Oct 29, 2025

In today’s world, especially in the age of social media, it’s easy to curate a version of ourselves that looks impressive—sharing successes, opinions, and spiritual highlights while hiding our struggles. But Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:9–14 cuts straight through that façade. It reminds us that self-righteousness doesn’t bring us closer to God, it drives us further from Him.

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23-24, James 4:10

Tags: Mercy, Parable, Prayer, confession, repentance, justification, sanctification, Repentance, Justification, Confession, Sanctification  (view more)  (view less)

Are You A Well-Defined Leader?

By John Holm on Jul 18, 2021

Leadership success does not primarily depend on knowledge or technical skill. Effective leaders are those who understand themselves, live from clear values, and remain steady in the face of pressure.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 16:32, James 1:19-20, 1 Timothy 4:16, Matthew 7:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Leader, Character, self awareness, define, Leadership General, leader, Self Awareness  (view more)  (view less)

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)

12 Things I’d Tell My 25-Year-Old Self (About Life And Leadership)

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 18, 2024

There are so many things I would do the same, but there are more than a few things I’d do differently.

Tags: Leader, Security, passion, godly character, productivity, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, church leadership, leader  (view more)  (view less)

Why Too Many Sermon Illustrations Hurt Your Preaching

By Bruce D. Johnson on Oct 13, 2024

Many modern sermons rely too heavily on the preacher’s personal stories. Effective illustrations should clarify truth and help ordinary listeners apply it.

Scripture: Colossians 1:28, Romans 10:14, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Timothy 4:2, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: preaching, Preaching, pastor, Self, Homiletics, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Where Are People Looking When The Sermon Ends?

By Peter Mead on Jul 27, 2025

If listeners leave a sermon focused on themselves and their to-do list, something has gone wrong. Gospel preaching should leave people gazing at Christ, not striving under the weight of self-improvement.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 2:20, Genesis 3:7

Tags: Message, Preaching, Self, focus, listener, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Everyone's Least Favorite Preacher- The Cocky Kind

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 18, 2023

You’re sitting in his church listening to him preach. He’s not five minutes into the message before you realize Mr. Hotshot is appearing before you in the flesh. His words and mannerisms give him away.

Scripture: Isaiah 57:15, Micah 6:8, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 Peter 5:3, Isaiah 6:5, Matthew 18:3, 1 Peter 5:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility, Pride, Preacher, self importance, preacher  (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: Church Growth, Surrender, Healthy Church, God's Church, God in control, pastoral leadership, call to discipleship, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

10 Pointers For Preaching On A Touchy Issue

By Peter Mead on Apr 11, 2021

Sometimes we have to preach something that is potentially controversial or that may not go down too well. Here are ten pointers to help when that is necessary.

Scripture: Acts 17:22-32

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Prayer, Self knowledge, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You Are Not The Story!

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 2, 2022

People should not leave the sermon having learned more about the preacher than Christ. When we stand to preach the word, we should prayerfully whisper to ourselves, “You are not the story.”

Scripture: Colossians 1:28, John 12:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:1-2

Tags: Pride, God's Story, self importance, Bible as a story