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April 2018

April 03, 2018

Great Challenge for Preachers

From Frederick Buechner: There was a great teacher of the Old Testament at the seminary...

March 2018

March 31, 2018

Because He Lives

In response to her grandmotherâ€™s question, â€œWhat is your favorite Bible story?â€ A young nine...

March 30, 2018

Sermon Illustration: Preacher, Please Don’t Do This

Preacher, this Sunday is April 1st. This Sunday is also Easter Sunday. Thatâ€™s right -...

March 27, 2018

Preacher, It’s Easter. And You’re Not Alone

Preacher, let these words from a legend encourage you... From Eugene Peterson in his book...

March 23, 2018

Sermon Illustration: What Would YOU Do?

In an effort to explain God's harsh treatment of the Egyptians in Exodus 7-10, I...

March 20, 2018

I Need a Donkey, Please

I have often wondered what the disciples were thinking when Jesus told them to go...

March 16, 2018

Sermon Illustration: Talking to Yourself

Recently, I began a sermon by pointing out that our salvation is not based on...

March 13, 2018

Why Did You Doubt?

Imagine with me a conversation between Peter and his brother Andrew the evening after Peter...

March 09, 2018

Fridays are for Illustrations: Gary Said It Would Be Like This

I used this illustration in a recent sermon on how believers can expect situations and...

March 06, 2018

Jesus Sleeps through the Storm: Imagining with Bartholomew and Naomi

23Â Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.Â 24Â Suddenly a furious storm came...

March 02, 2018

Fridays Are For Illustrations: Two Thoughts to Set Up a Sermon

Recently, when preaching from Exodus 4:1-17, I wanted to grab the congregation's attention AND put...

February 2018

February 27, 2018

The Easter Sermon

I have an ugly confession to make. I don't like preparing the Easter sermon. There....

February 23, 2018

Fridays are For Illustrations: Helicopter Parents

Often I will refer to articles I recently read to help emphasize or illustrate a...

February 20, 2018

Putting it All Together: Introduction

The introduction is critical. It is the take off. If you have a smooth take...

February 16, 2018

Sermon Illustration: Chattahoochee

To open a sermon about Moses' time in Midian (Exodus 2:11-25), I quoted the great...

February 13, 2018

Putting It All Together: What’s the Purpose?

You've determined the broad and specific meaning of the text. You've thought through how it...

February 09, 2018

Sermon Illustration: Rachael Denhollander

To kick off an 8-week series on the first 12 chapters of Exodus, I did...

February 06, 2018

Preacher, Make Sure it is a Christian Sermon

Before it is all said and done. Before you close the Bible on Sunday. Before...

February 02, 2018

Sermon Illustration: My Meeting with “George”

I recently closed a sermon on Acts 13:1-4 with the following story. Actually, it was...

January 2018

January 30, 2018

Determining HOW to Preach the Text: Know Your People

There are tons of resources available to help you determine the meaning of a text....

January 26, 2018

Sermon Illustration: Can ANYONE Partake of the Lord’s Supper?

The last time we observed the Lord's Supper at The Church at West Franklin we...

January 23, 2018

Determining HOW to Preach the Text: Preach So They Can Teach

Though I mentioned this in a recent post, I want to expand this idea. Much...

January 19, 2018

Sermon Illustration: Great Quote

Okay, so this may not be a good sermon illustration. However, I have a pretty...

January 16, 2018

Determining HOW to Preach the Text: 4 Ways to “Go With It”

I do my best to start the sermon off with something that will help me...

January 12, 2018

Sermon Illustration: The Wrong Question

Below is an illustration I used recently to conclude a Vision sermon for our campus....

January 09, 2018

Determining HOW to Preach the Text: Intrigue (4 Suggestions)

I often joke that the 11th Commandment is "Thou Shall Not Bore." It ought to...

January 05, 2018

Sermon Illustration: J. M. Barrie and Young Peter

I am currently reading Winn Collier's Holy Curiosity. Chapter 3, entitled "Why are You Afraid?...

January 02, 2018

Preacher, Use Your Imagination

The chapter heading in my Bible tells me Psalm 18 was written after God delivered...

December 2017

December 29, 2017

2017 Book Recommendations (for Preachers)

If you are a preacher, I hope you are a reader. If you don't like...

December 26, 2017

Plan Your Preaching for Protection

Having a preaching plan is essential for the well-being of both the preacher AND the...