Premature Celebration
February 25, 2010 – 12:16 pm | No Comment
Premature Celebration

One of the interesting problems in some preaching is a premature celebration. The people are with the preacher and she or he has the church moving towards a powerful end. But then something …

Theoretical Point
February 15, 2010 – 11:46 am | No Comment
Theoretical Point

Another very common error is to preach a point without making the practical dimensions of the point clear. Here is when the preacher spends much time defining and describing a point, but the preacher …

Ignoring the Social Dimensions of the Gospel
February 12, 2010 – 9:48 pm | No Comment
Ignoring the Social Dimensions of the Gospel

The gospel has implications for how we treat others. A vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus Christ will of necessity cause a change in how we treat one another. Simply put, racism, sexism …

Imprecise Point
February 11, 2010 – 10:18 pm | No Comment
Imprecise Point

Another error that can creep into our preaching is the imprecise point. This is when your point is not clearly defined or presented. Another way this can creep into our preaching is when …

Separation from the People
February 10, 2010 – 4:58 am | No Comment
Separation from the People

Another subtle error is when the preacher is disconnected from the people. Here the preacher stands up separated from the people barking orders at those who must obey or else. These pastors end …

Stories not Staying on Point
February 2, 2010 – 11:10 am | 2 Comments
Stories not Staying on Point

I preached a sermon where I told a story. It was a rather common story about flying into a city where the wind was blowing strongly. I described the calm above the clouds, …

Serving Nothing But Desert
January 29, 2010 – 12:11 pm | No Comment
Serving Nothing But Desert

Some preachers only serve desert. They end up “shouting about nothing.” You know the experience. You have gone to church to hear a word from the Lord and you are shouting. …

Refusing to Serve Desert
January 26, 2010 – 12:03 pm | One Comment
Refusing to Serve Desert

When I talk about whooping or celebration, some preachers take exception to the idea that we should spend time on such things. They argue that we should just get up there and preach the …

Beating Up the People
January 19, 2010 – 1:24 pm | No Comment
Beating Up the People

“Stop doing this!” “You don’t do that!” These and other statements are often on the lips of preachers who generally berate the people. Here the preacher simply scolds the people for …

No Cross in Preaching
January 18, 2010 – 3:45 am | No Comment
No Cross in Preaching

I was talking to a preacher the other day about “cross-less” preaching. This is the kind of preaching that does not have the Cross of Christ in it.