In Preaching Articles: showing 1-29 of 29

Practically Impractical

By Chris Surber on Mar 23, 2017

In all of our efforts to be relevant are we forgetting the mysterious beauty of God?

Tags: Kingdom, God's Kingdom, Mystery Of Christ, Eternal Perspective

Does A Pastor Preach Christ At The Funeral Of An Unbeliever?

By Chris Surber on Oct 21, 2016

Preaching Christ at the funeral of an unbeliever requires the subtle art of careful preaching. It’s as much about what you don’t say as what you do say.

Tags: Preaching, Funeral, Funerals Non-Christian, Preaching Christ

5 Filters For A Funeral Sermon

By Chris Surber on Oct 20, 2016

I’ve preached a lot of funerals. Along the way I’ve learned some lessons from others and I’ve learned some lessons the hard way.

Tags: Preaching, Funerals Christian, Preaching Christ, Funerals

Don't Fear Bruised Toes

By Chris Surber on Sep 1, 2016

He is a poor preacher who gives no offense to his listeners.

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, Poor Preaching, Measuring Success

4 Points Of Principle Preaching

By Chris Surber on Sep 9, 2015

"Can I call her up to the front on Sunday morning, have her sit in front of the congregation and use her sin as an example?”

Scripture: Psalms 128:1-2

Preach The Past: Discover Powerful Illustrations And Lessons From Church History

By Chris Surber on May 14, 2015

A working knowledge of Church history teaches us to be humble. Our footprints aren’t the first tracks on this road.

Scripture: Job 1:1-24:7, Acts 25:1-17, Acts 2:13-40

How To Say Good-Bye: Preaching Your Last Sermon

By Chris Surber on Dec 29, 2014

People usually listen closely to your first words--and your last. Make them meaningful.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Tags: Preaching, Purpose, Preparation, Goodbye, Last Sermon  (view more)  (view less)

Christmas Preaching Needs Resurrecting!

By Chris Surber on Dec 22, 2014

If we want Christmas preaching to matter, we've got to preach like Christmas matters.

Scripture: Luke 11:24-12:23, Matthew 1:21, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 2:22-40

Tags: Christmas, Preaching

If You Overpack Your Sermon, Your Listeners Are In For A Bumpy Ride

By Chris Surber on Nov 6, 2014

Perhaps your sermon outline is actually a sermon series. Can you tell the difference?

Scripture: Acts 5:15-25

Tags: Preaching, Content, Logic, Research, Central Point  (view more)  (view less)

How Can I Possibly Do Sermon Prep When I'm Just Not Feeling It?

By Chris Surber on Oct 9, 2014

God feels far away. Everybody at home is mad at you. Even the dog won’t talk to you. What do you do when you need to do sermon prep but you just aren’t feeling it?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:11-15

Tags: Preaching, Sermon Prep, Venue, Immerse Yourself

Who Says Bigger Is Better? 3 Reasons I'm Convinced God Works Through Small Churches

By Chris Surber on Oct 1, 2014

"Bigger churches can do things smaller cannot do. And little churches do things much larger churches can never do."

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-24:20, Acts 11:15-18, Genesis 22:1-15

Tags: Family, Preaching, Friendship, Connection, Small Church  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Sermon Pass The Geography Test?

By Chris Surber on Sep 18, 2014

The Gospel is for everybody everywhere. Is your sermon?

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-5, 2 Timothy 2:20-30

Tags: Pain, Sin, Preaching, Suffering, Affluence  (view more)  (view less)

Forget Seminaries: What Are You Doing To Train The Next Generation Of Preachers?

By Chris Surber on Sep 5, 2014

We have a lot of people genuinely called, sincerely gifted people who struggle to find their way past the gatekeepers in our churches and denominations.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-5, Mark 5:24-34

Tags: Discipleship, Gift, Seminary, Next Generation

How Your Preaching Can Destroy Modern Idols

By Chris Surber on Jul 23, 2014

Every church has those things that it clings to that are off the table for change or removal, and usually even for discussion--unless you bring them up.

Scripture: Leviticus 26:30

Tags: Preaching, Destroy, Discussion, Modern Idols

The Top Secret Agendas Carried By Your Congregation

By Chris Surber on Jun 30, 2014

Every church member carries an agenda in the secret briefcase of their heart. What's their agenda?

Tags: Preaching, Challenge, Congregation, Agenda, Affirm  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Preach To Real People Or Straw Men?

By Chris Surber on Jun 18, 2014

Preaching in the abstract means missing real lives and real people. Here are four ways to connect to real people.

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preaching, Sensitive, Real People, Straw Men  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Get Caught In The Practical Preaching Trap

By Chris Surber on May 26, 2014

Life isn't a series of problems to be solved. It is a journey to be lived out.

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Tags: Preaching, Practical, Trap, Glorify God, Corporate Worship  (view more)  (view less)

Preach A Funeral Like You'll Never Be Invited Back

By Chris Surber on Feb 7, 2014

A crowd of non-churchgoers just gathered in a church. Call me crazy. I don't know much. But perhaps you should tell them about Jesus?

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Christ, Preaching, Funeral

Pastor, Are You Chasing Stray Dogs?

By Chris Surber on Jan 17, 2014

"Here is a list of people who have left the church in the last few years. We would like you to call on them to see if you can win a few of them back."

Tags: Church, Preaching, Members, Church Health, Stray Dog  (view more)  (view less)

Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better: 3 Reasons I'm Convinced God Most Often Builds His Church Small

By Chris Surber on Nov 16, 2013

God uses big churches for certain Kingdom jobs, and God uses little churches for specific assignments.

Scripture: Matthew 18:20-21

Tags: Ministry, Community, Kingdom, Small Church, Big Versus Small  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching Over-Educated?

By Chris Surber on Sep 27, 2013

If you have more theological degrees than a thermostat, you might be over-heating Sunday mornings!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:3-5

Tags: Preaching, Educated

Are You Training Lay Preachers? You Should!

By Chris Surber on Aug 22, 2013

When we neglect to develop and maintain active lay ministry in the life of the local church, our churches miss out in at least five ways.

Scripture: Proverbs 17:17

The *law* Of Mutual Non-Exclusivity

By Chris Surber on Jun 4, 2013

All of God's truth deserves our passionate presentation -- even the parts that appear to be mutually exclusive.

Preaching To Promote Life Together

By Chris Surber on May 6, 2013

Preach with a focus to cultivate life together and nurture incarnate community rather than simple gatherings of people.

Why You Should Train Others To Preach

By Chris Surber on Mar 8, 2013

What is your church doing to train future preachers and pastors?

Tags: Preaching, Teach, Instruct, Benefit

How To Preach Like The Weeping Prophet

By Chris Surber on Dec 7, 2012

Love in the pastorate--not logic in the academic hall--wins people to Christ.

Tags: Prophet, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Matthew, Preaching, Gospel Of Luke, Weeping  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching The Messy Way

By Chris Surber on Oct 29, 2012

The greater the distance between you and your listeners, the easier it is to preach at them. Sharing life with them leads you to preaching the messy way.

Scripture: John 6:66-71

Letter To A (Real Life) Hurting Pastor

By Chris Surber on Oct 10, 2012

Author Chris Surber suggests six avenues to handle the hurt and disappointment so common in pastoral ministry.

Tags: Preaching

How To Preach Like A Combat Medic

By Chris Surber on Aug 14, 2012

Can you bring the goods when life and death are at stake?

Tags: Preaching