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Preachers who prepare new sermons on a weekly basis can find themselves overwhelmed by the process. In this episode, we will discuss 10 struggles faced by preachers who prepare sermons weekly.

1. The Weight of Spiritual Responsibility
2. Time Constraints and Competing Demands
3. The Pressure of Creativity and Originality
4. Scriptural Interpretation and Theological Complexity
5. Engaging a Diverse Audience
6. The Emotional Toll of Preaching
7. Maintaining Relevance in a Rapidly Changing World
8. The Risk of Routine and Complacency
9. Balancing Transparency and Authority
10. The Role of Feedback and Accountability

The struggles of preparing weekly sermons are as diverse as the preachers undertaking this task. From the spiritual weight of representing God’s voice to the practical challenges of managing time and engaging a diverse audience, the process is both demanding and deeply rewarding. Despite these challenges, preachers persevere, driven by their calling and love for the people they serve.

By acknowledging and addressing these struggles, clergy members can find ways to navigate the demands of sermon preparation with grace and resilience. This may involve seeking support from colleagues, engaging in ongoing education, or carving out time for rest and renewal. Ultimately, preaching is not just a duty but a sacred privilege—an opportunity to touch hearts, transform lives, and witness God’s word’s enduring power.

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Contact me at alancarr@gmail.com.

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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This is an update about the podcast. I haven't been able to record the past two weeks because of a fall that resulted in me breaking my back. I am in considerable pain but doing well. I hope to be back in the studio this coming week with a fresh episode. Thank you for listening, and thank you for your prayers

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Subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review, and tell others about us if you find it helpful.

Contact me at alancarr@gmail.com.

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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In today's episode, we discuss some ways we can improve our sermon delivery. You can have a well-designed, well-prepared sermon and have it lose its effectiveness because of poor sermon delivery. We have all been there, but if we will integrate a few simple changes into our preaching, we can improve our delivery in astounding ways. I have never met an honest preacher who says he cannot improve his preaching. We can all get better at what God has called us to do. Let me know what you think.

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Subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review, and tell others about us if you find it helpful.

Contact me at alancarr@gmail.com.

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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It is no secret that I love expository preaching. I love to hear expository sermons. I love to prepare them. I love to preach them. I believe they are the essential, non-negotiable diet of a healthy church. In this episode, I will (once again) discuss why I believe this is true. Let me know what you think.

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Subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review, and tell others about us if you find it helpful.

Contact me at alancarr@gmail.com.

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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In this episode, we talk about murdering our darlings. What does that mean? It means we need to be brutal with our sermons in the sense that we cut out of them any word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, illustration, story, etc., that does not need to be there. If it doesn't help the sermon progress toward its intended goal, it needs to be removed. Listen along and let me know what you think.

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Contact me at alancarr@gmail.com.

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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In this episode, we discuss the challenges and blessings of preaching Christ at Christmas. There are only so many texts that speak about the Lord's first advent. But in those few passages, there is a wealth of theological truth. Every year, we have the privilege of preaching the birth of Jesus. We need not approach the Christmas season with fear. We can approach the season with confidence, knowing the Bible contains a vast repository of spiritual truth related to the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. This truth can transform December from being a time of wondering what we will preach this year into a time of how will I preach everything I have already seen.

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Subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review, and tell others about us if you find it helpful.

Contact me at alancarr@gmail.com.

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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Preaching is a difficult task. It stresses the mind, the emotions, and the body. But preaching is a privilege. Learning to manage the stressors related to preaching will help us build longevity in the pulpit. This episode will explore some of the struggles preachers face on a weekly basis.

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Subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review, and tell others about us if you find it helpful.

Contact me at alancarr@gmail.com.

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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What are the essential elements of biblical preaching?

How do you know you’re preaching a Christian sermon and not simply giving a religious or spiritual lecture?

While gospel-centered expository proclamation is the best approach to fulfilling the biblical call to preach, this episode could probably use more detail. Since preachers like alliteration and lists, I might suggest a checklist reflecting what I propose as the essential factors of faithful Christian preaching. Next time you prepare a sermon, maybe keep these questions in mind. Or, the next time you preach, share this list with your fellow elders or another team of trusted advisers and ask them to apply the questions to your delivered message.

1. Is your sermon CONTEXTUAL?

2. Is your sermon CONVICTIONAL?

3. Is your sermon CLEAR?

4. Is your sermon COMPASSIONATE?


5. Is your sermon CROSS-CENTERED?

Support the show

Subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review, and tell others about us if you find it helpful.

Contact me at alancarr@gmail.com.

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)