So you aren’t preaching today Some preachers get in that pulpit once a year and long for that time when they will get another chance. Whether 51 weeks a year or 1…
Can A Preacher Ignore The Theme?
“Hey Doc, I have to preach a sermon for senior’s day.” The question jumped out at me in my email box. “I want to know, should I preach the theme they gave…
The Preacher’s Secret Weapon
It is indispensable for worship planning. It is a repository of the greatest thoughts in Christian history. Just about everybody has one and some folks got their from the church no matter…
Your Sermon Stories Should Have A Point
“I have a good idea, the next time you tell a story…” “Have a Point!!!” Steve Martin’s character said to John Candy’s character on the movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
How Do I Find Something to Celebrate?
“How do I celebrate this sermon?” That is one of the most popular questions that I receive. When I read the sermon under consideration, the answer almost always is simply, “You don’t…
Yelling Ain’t Gonna Fix A Broken Sermon
“I don’t know what’s wrong, but it just didn’t feel right.” A middle aged man told a woman, presumably his wife, at a Christian book store. Yeah, I know, my wife tells…
Sermon Is The Key To The Worship Service
The sermon is the key to the worship service. People like to hear the music and sometimes it can sooth in ways that only music can soothe. Sometimes prayer touches us in…
Celebrate This Sermon, Not Last Week’s Sermon
“God opened that door for ya, ain’t that right?” “God picked you up, ain’t that right?” “God turned you round, ain’t that right?” “Somebody knows bout a God who can make a…
Does your sermon have a text?
“Hey Doc, I got a sermon, can you help me find a text so that I can preach it?” A young preacher asked me through email. He was so excited. He immediately…
They May Shout, but do They Remember?
Some folks judge the effectiveness of their sermons by how many people are shouting or running down the isle. Now, there should be an emotional response to our sermons, but if your…
Rest and Preaching. Have you Recharged Your Engine?
“I am tired, I just need some time off.” A preacher said to me on a Facebook IM. I asked him, so why don’t you take a day off?” He frowned. Then…
Three Blessings of Flunkersville
It has happened to all of us. We get into the pulpit with a little more confidence than we aught to have and begin to preach. We stand up like we always…
Preaching To Wake Up Your People
I had to work very late. It was 1:30am. Yep, 1:30 am. For a guy in his mid-40s, that meant two things. I was going to be sleep walking that day. and…
Use What You Have
A preacher called me and asked for a list of books to buy to help his preaching. I gave him this list: 1) They Like To Never Quit Praising God by Frank…