Timeless wisdom for pastors with forward-thinking solutions.
Apply Your Message
How to give clear, grace-filled applications that lead to real life transformation.
Why the Preacher Is Necessary to Preaching
Sermons are embodied truth—and that truth comes through you.
America’s Gnostic Impulse
A book review of Tom Long’s ‘Preaching from Memory to Hope’
Does Being Tech-Savvy Cripple Preachers?
A book review of ‘Why Johnny Can’t Preach’
Hallelujah Chorus
The picture of true worship in Psalm 150
The ABCs of Praise
Learning God-honoring worship from Psalm 145
Knowing the God Who Knows You
A study of Psalm 139
Why It’s Hard to Worship
Studying lament in Psalm 137
Life Together
Discovering true unity in Psalm 133
Preacher as Advocate
What it means to identify with your hearers
The Mediating Prophet
Learning to be an advocate in the pulpit.
What is one common mistake that churches make when searching for a new pastor?
John Koessler responds in our Ask the Experts discussion.
The Unchanging Grounds of Our Authority
Just who do you think you are telling others what to do, what to believe? In any culture, in any age, we will preach with confidence when we correctly understand where our authority comes from.
Blessed Are the Persecuted
Enduring for the reward
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
The promise of sonship
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
Jesus’ promise of transformation
Blessed Are the Merciful
Surrendering loss to Christ
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
The purpose of our emptiness
Blessed Are the Meek
The inheritance of the humble
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Jesus’ promise of comfort
Less is More, More or Less
A closer look at Jesus’ first beatitude
The Island Syndrome: When the Only Sermons You Ingest Are Your Own
Much has been said recently about the dangers of sermon plagiarism, but the effect can be a misguided shunning of others’ sermons. Growing preachers study the messages of other outstanding preachers.
Asleep at the Wheel
When the storms of life come and God seems silent, our doubts come to light and we must decide who we believe Jesus is.
How do you build community in a small church?
John Koessler serves as chair of the department of pastoral studies at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois.
Eat, Drink, and Be Hungry
It’s emptiness, not fullness, that Jesus blesses.
What Theology Looks Like in a Sermon
Everyone does theology. Do you do it right?
Back to Reality
Our disappointment does not negate God’s power or his potential.
Remember Me
Even if it seems like we have been forgotten, God remembers us when our hearts are broken, when we pray, and after our prayers have been answered.
Dangerous Worship
We must avoid dishonest worship, calculated worship, and thoughtless worship in order to truly present ourselves at Jesus’ feet.
Getting the Gold from the Text
How to capitalize on the inexhaustible riches of Scripture in your preaching without sounding like a Bible commentary.
Finding True North
Confused and aimless? You can recover your sense of direction.
Why All the Best Preachers Are–What a Concept!–Theological
Everyone does theology. Do you do it right?
Getting the Gold from the Text
How do you capitalize on the inexhaustible riches of Scripture in your preaching-without sounding like a Bible commentary? An interview with author John Koessler.
Ingredients of Rhetorical Power
How well does this message use language?
Connecting with Non-Christians
Why to analyze your audience when preparing for evangelistic preaching.
Deep Thinking in Simple Language
How biblical is “Finding Our Way Home”?
Finding Our Way Home
Sermon for clinic by Kenton C. Anderson and John Koessler
View from the Pew
How to hold the attention of the easily distracted.
The Unique Network of a Small Church
Learning to communicate in ways a congregation expects.