In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Thoughts"

Your Thoughts Will Betray You

By Christina Fox on Jun 14, 2022

A certain amount of self-evaluation can be good. We should have insight into ourselves, our motives, our choices, and our actions. But sometimes we can go too far. When self-evaluation ends with ourselves instead of pointing us beyond ourselves, there’s a problem.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Philippians 2:3-8, John 17:17, Romans 8:32, Psalm 139:23, 1 John 2:1, Isaiah 43:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Rely on Grace, Remember the Gospel

4 Thoughts On Finding A Mentor

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 25, 2024

"I have had many mentors who have invested deeply in my life. I am who I am partly because of the intentionality of others pouring into my life. They have made me a better leader, better husband, father, friend, and person."

Scripture: Proverbs 15:22

Tags: Character, Grow, Personal Growth, Mentor, Godly Leaders, mentoring, personal holiness, Disciple  (view more)  (view less)

A Renewed Mind: The Practice Of Humble Thought

By Robert A. Fryling on Jan 4, 2025

A call to reject mind–spirit false dichotomies, embrace biblical thinking, and pursue a humble, renewed mind that deepens spiritual formation and love for God.

Scripture: Luke 10:27, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Thought, Humility, Preaching, pastor, devotion, original sin, Mind, Christian Disciplines, Christian Leadership, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Thoughts About Excellence In Ministry

By Brandon Cox on Mar 29, 2025

Excellence honors God, but it must never overshadow the mission. These five principles help ministry leaders pursue quality without drifting from gospel priorities.

Scripture: Colossians 3:17, Ecclesiastes 11:4, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 12:11, Matthew 28:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Excellence, Christian Discipleship, preaching

5 Thoughts About Spending Your Leadership Equity Wisely

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 6, 2021

When you walk into a leadership opportunity, you go with a little bit of equity by virtue of your position. Every decision you make, and every risk you lead your organization to take will require an investment of some of your leadership equity (the trust people place in you).

Tags: Trust, leadership, Preaching, parables, opportunity, jesus parables, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Just What Is Pulpit Plagiarism?

By Ron Forseth on Jan 1, 2024

A thoughtful look at plagiarism, quotation, and citation in preaching, showing how conscience, diligence, and trust shape ethical and faithful sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 10:29

Tags: Preaching, Character, Integrity, Honesty, Plagiarism, Homiletics, Pastoral Integrity, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation, Sermon Plagiarism, Preaching Ethics  (view more)  (view less)

Build Your Sermon Like A House

By Greg Stier on Oct 16, 2024

Constructing a sermon resembles building a house. Both require a solid foundation, careful planning, and thoughtful finishing touches.

Scripture: Luke 14:22-33, 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Matthew 7:24-25, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Building, Preaching, House, build, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Saturday Nights Are Not For Sermon Planning

By Hans Wunch on May 14, 2026

You spent so much time this week at the hospital with church members, you thought about stopping by human resources to pick up a paycheck.

Scripture: Luke 23:43

Tags: leadership, Preaching, guidance, prepare, sermon planning, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Does It Really Mean To "Go Deeper”?

By Alan Danielson on May 2, 2020

Alan Danielson offers his take on one of the most overrated comments in the church today.

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7, Colossians 2:7

Tags: Thought, Church, leadership, Preaching, spiritual growth, Leadership, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

15 Sermon Starters For Your Easter Message

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 2, 2021

Let these great thoughts prime the pump for your Easter sermon. Start with great words and develop them uniquely for your congregation.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, John 10:1-18, John 20:1-30, Acts 2:1, John 11:25-26  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Easter, Message, Preaching, Jesus Christ, Preachers, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Bust Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Sep 28, 2022

"Discouragement is a universal experience for ministry leaders and the word actually self-defines itself…dis-courage meaning no courage. Some of the Bible’s greatest characters faced it: Moses, David, Paul, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the apostles. Nehemiah, the great Old Testament leader faced it when he led the Jews to rebuild the wall. Yet, his response offers us hope when we face it."

Scripture: Psalm 77:11, Nehemiah 4:10-21

Tags: Nehemiah, leadership, Discouragement, thought life, pastoral leadership, Blessings, Burdens, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

15 New-Year Quotes You Can Use In Your First Sermon Of The New Year

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 28, 2022

Let these great names--and great thoughts--animate tomorrow's sermon.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-15, Ezekiel 34:11-16

Tags: Preaching, New Year, Chesterton, Quotes, martin luther, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Reasons To Slow Your Preaching

By Nicholas Mcdonald on Sep 13, 2021

Slowing down in preaching is not a weakness but a gift. Pauses create room for worship, laughter, clarity, confidence, prayer, and thoughtful listening.

Scripture: John 17:1-11, Ecclesiastes 3:7, James 1:19, Psalm 46:10, Habakkuk 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Confidence, Homiletics, slow down, Sermon Delivery, Slow down, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

H.b. Charles Remembers The Time He Shipwrecked His Sermon

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 18, 2021

It seemed like a good idea when he thought of it, but the reality in the pulpit was something very different!

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How To Design Sermon Series That Reach The Unchurched Without Compromising Scripture

By Carey Nieuwhof on May 9, 2023

Reaching unchurched people requires thoughtful angles, not watered-down preaching. Wise pastors connect biblical truth to the real questions people already ask.

Scripture: Acts 17:22-23, 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, Luke 15:1-7, Romans 10:14-17

Tags: Preaching, Faithful, Unchurched, Evangelistic, preaching, Watered Down  (view more)  (view less)