In Preaching Articles: "Why Me"

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

The Whisper That Made Me Leave My Church

By Tod Bolsinger on Sep 10, 2021

I would hear that line echoed in my mind long after each conversation was over: "Why didn't seminary prepare me for this?"

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-25

Tags: curriculum, Preaching, prepare, Theology, Seminary  (view more)  (view less)

Good Friday: 4 Preaching Points To Remember

By Ray Hollenbach on Mar 30, 2026

We want to embrace the resurrection, but Good Friday is an opportunity to remind your people that Jesus calls us to the Cross, too.

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-25

Tags: Good Friday, Preaching, help, Why Jesus Died, Why Jesus Bled, Why People Lie, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Do I Do With Church Members Who Hate Me?

By Brian Croft on Nov 24, 2021

At this point, some of you may be thinking these kinds of people are a good reason to leave and start over, but I submit to you they are actually a good reason to stay and endure. Why are these difficult people a good reason to stay and endure?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Lord, Keep Me Desperate

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 15, 2022

From Genesis to Revelation, we find a consistent element present in the lives of persevering saints of God. And it is captured in this brief sentence in Psalm 119:67: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.”

Scripture: Luke 11:13, Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28, 2 Samuel 11:1-27, Jude 1:24, Psalm 119:67, 2 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Samuel 20:3, Psalm 7:1-2, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, 1 Samuel 26:10-11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Thorns, Prosperity, suffering, affliction, God's mercy  (view more)  (view less)

Deliver Me From Distraction

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 28, 2022

Since the fall of man, people have had trouble staying focused, but we live today in an age of unprecedented distraction. Since you’re already reading this on some electronic device, I don’t need to elaborate.

Scripture: Romans 8:28, Romans 12:6, Romans 8:1, Luke 12:48, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 6:13, Romans 8:20-23, Luke 10:41-42, Psalm 27:4, Ephesians 5:16, Ephesians 5:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Heart, Humility, distractions, idolatry, Distraction  (view more)  (view less)

Though You Slay Me

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 21, 2022

For Shane Barnard, it came in the hospital room at the passing of his father. When the doctor informed Barnard and his mother that his father was dead, the flood of pain and shock came. As Barnard held his mother to comfort her, he says, as she wailed, she sang softly underneath her breath, the words of Job 1:21, "He gives, he takes, blessed be the name of the Lord."

Scripture: Philippians 3:10, John 6:66-67, Job 1:21

Tags: Surpassing Worth, Worship, Perseverance, suffering

The Essential Me-First Of Biblical Preaching

By Ken Burge on May 9, 2025

Are you afraid to use yourself as the example for your sermon?

Tags: Preaching, Self, example, application, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Lord, Deliver Me From Indifference

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 9, 2022

What enthralls us determines how we prioritize our lives.

Scripture: John 2:17, Titus 2:14

Tags: passion, zeal, Indifference, passion for Christ

Why Every Sermon Should Be A Life-Changing Sermon

By Paul David Tripp on Oct 20, 2025

This will probably get me into trouble: I’m persuaded that there’s too much mediocrity in the church when it comes to pastors preparing and delivering their sermons.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Don't Like Small Churches? Me Neither

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 3, 2023

The problems most people have with small churches aren’t about size, they’re about sickness. And sickness can happen in churches of any size.

Tags: Community, Preaching, Small Church, community, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Have Mercy On Me: Four Glimpses Into The Heart Of God

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 8, 2022

God has made the world to turn again and again on fresh revelations of his mercy.

Scripture: Exodus 34:6-7, Exodus 33:19, Luke 1:78, Ephesians 2:3, 2 Chronicles 30:9, Romans 9:22-23, 2 Samuel 24:13-14, Psalm 51:1, Lamentations 4:10, Isaiah 30:18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Mercy, Moses, God's Character, David

What A Seminary Degree Will Not Do

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 22, 2023

“I have all this education and training. Why won’t churches call me as pastor?”

Tags: Angry with God, education, Seminary, Christian Education, calling, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, training  (view more)  (view less)

The Criticism I Hated—but Made Me A Better Preacher

By Joe Hoagland on Dec 27, 2019

None of us appreciate unsolicited, mean-spirited criticism, but we do need to hear people out.

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What A Rabbi Taught Me About Keeping Christ In Christmas

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 12, 2024

When people come to your church this Christmas season, they want to hear the story of Jesus. Give them what they came for.

Tags: Christmas, Culture, set apart, incarnation of Jesus, culture  (view more)  (view less)