What Good Preaching Really Is

Send us Fan Mail A sermon can be loud, clever, and wildly popular and still miss the point. We open 1 Thessalonians 2:4 and let Paul set the standard: preaching that aims to please God, the One who examines hearts, not people who reward style and soundbites. That shift changes how we listen, how we evaluate a preacher, and what we should ask God to do in our church. We talk through the marks of biblical preaching that the early church modeled and that we still need today. Good preaching is not cowardly, because fear of reactions can dilute truth. Good preaching is not dishonest, because manipulation and sloppy Bible handling may produce a moment but not maturity. And good preaching is not grandstanding, because the pulpit is not a stage for showboating or “itching ears” sermons that spike emotions without producing repentance, obedience, and real spiritual growth. Along the way, we reflect on what makes us celebrate the wrong things, why repeated cliches can become a substitute for Scripture, and why the clearest evidence of a faithful sermon is lasting change and deeper awe of Jesus Christ. We also make it practical: we need to pray for our preachers, listen for substance over flash, and keep calling the church back to sound doctrine and Christ-centered proclamation. If you care about Christian preaching, expository preaching, and a healthier church culture around sermons, press play and share this with someone who listens every week. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what do you look for when you say a sermon was “good”? Visit Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthClintonAvenueChurchOfChrist