Preaching is the annunciation of the divine Word of God. For Christians, preaching is centered on the evangelization of the message of Jesus. In ancient times God spoke audibly, as it happened with Adam and the patriarchs. But as time went by, the events narrated in the Bible changed the situation. In this article we show you 25 Best Biblical Topics for Preaching.
Preaching dates back to before the early church when God sent his messages to the ancient prophets. From Jesus Christ onwards, preaching was done around the gospel according to the scriptures:
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to every creature.” Mark 16:15
To preach it is essential to have a previous knowledge of the scriptures and to respect the meanings of the messages given in the verses. Preaching is not about giving a discourse of the different versions of what we believe the Gospel or the Old Testament says. However the teaching of Jesus in the gospel should be preached in a way that is constructive for the Christian life of the hearers.
1. The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer taught by Jesus that is structured in a series of 5 verses, ranging from Matthew 6:9-13. Most of us know how to pray the Our Father, but this prayer has several undertones and meanings that are a guide for life and prayer to talk to the Father in the right way according to Jesus’ teaching.
9 You, therefore, pray in this way:
(When we are told “Pray in this way” it is a teaching and a command).
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
(The prayer begins with this excerpt, where a glorification of God, his Son and his Kingdom is made. That is to say that before a prayer the first thing that is done is the glorification).
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on(in) earth as it is in heaven.
(Our declaration of “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” is the acceptance of God and His action in our life, it is to accept Him with our free will).
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
(The first request to God is our daily food supply).
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
(The second petition is to forgive us our debts. In this version of the Bible of the Americas it speaks of debts, it is assumed that it is the debt of sins that we have with God. In other versions it speaks directly of the forgiveness of sins).
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen.”
(The third petition is “lead us not into temptation”, that is, to give us strength to resist what comes in the day by delivering us from evil. Then follows the conclusion, and it is the declaration of God’s power and strength).
2. Slavery to sin
Bondage to sin is a perfect subject to study and preach on. This is affirmed in the following verse:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin,” Jesus answered. John 8:34
This theme is very extensive in the Bible. We see it from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation. So this topic constitutes a great source of information to nourish the preaching.
3. Trust in God
Trust in God is the basis of faith. Faith without trust in God would be meaningless. In the book of Psalms we have 23, 95, 112, 116, 121, and 134 that speak and teach explicitly how and why we should have confidence in God.
“David’s Psalm.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I will not be in need.
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
4. Jesus is a good shepherd
Jesus is the good shepherd and so it is expressly stated in the verse “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11. This is impotent for the sound doctrine of Christians to be maintained. Jesus Christ is unique, and He is the only one who gives His life for salvation. In this verse Jesus Christ establishes his authority.
5. The fasting
Many do not understand the reason for fasting, nor the significance of this action. Fasting is the act of abstaining totally or partially from food for a determined period of time. When we hear about fasting we relate it directly to diets, but for Christianity fasting is an act of contrition for our sins, of humiliation of our flesh, and of demonstration of obedience in moments of prayer. We can see this in several verses, for example:
“Then he was afraid; and Jehoshaphat humbled his face to inquire of the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” 2 Chronicles 20:3.
6. God speaks to us
Loneliness is the evil that afflicts the general population. The preaching that God speaks to us is essential for the integration of many people to Christianity. Knowing that biblically there are clear affirmations that God does speak to us is the basis for overcoming the spiritual loneliness that exists today. We can see this in verses such as Job 33:14-15 “God speaks in many ways, even if we do not know how to see it: in dreams or nocturnal visions, when drowsiness falls upon us and sleep invades us in bed.” This is one of the many bases that we are not alone.
7. Knowing God
Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? These questions are very common inside and outside of Christianity. Even many people inside churches cannot answer these questions with certainty. Biblically we can find verses that clearly teach who God is and what His character is like. In the book of Revelation chapter 4 verse 8, we have one:
“Each of the four living ones had six wings and were all eyes outside and inside. Day and night they proclaimed without rest:
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, owner of everything,
the one who was, the one who is,
the one who is about to arrive.”
8. The Word of God is alive
The Word of God is living. This may seem an abstract and difficult statement to understand, but it is also biblical. When it is spoken and taught that the Word of God is living, it is because His will causes an effect on earth and in us, that is, in our life. In the book of Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12, it is exposed in the following way:
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
9. Jesus Christ Announcement
The birth and coming of Jesus was foretold in the prophecies from Genesis itself. With the sin committed in the Garden of Eden, the world would need a divine savior, born in the flesh without sin to be pure enough to pay humanity’s sin debt. With the birth of Jesus and his subsequent resurrection all the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled, Jesus himself said on the cross John 19:30 “Then Jesus, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is finished! And bowing his head, he gave up the spirit.”
It is important to know the messianic prophecies to understand the origin of Jesus Christ and the reason for his birth. As it is written in the book of Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
10. Authority of Jesus
For Christians, Jesus Christ heads the authority on earth and in heaven. But even though he is the basis of faith, many have an erroneous faith or a wrong doctrine. Jesus Christ acquired the authority given by the Father, this we can observe in several biblical passages such as John 5:21 “For as the Father raises the dead, giving them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he will.” and Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”
11. Eternal life
Eternal life is a concept that has been forgotten in many churches (although not in all). There are few who can offer a clear idea about eternal life according to the biblical writings and this has caused many people to abandon the faith or even fall victim to misinterpretations.
This topic of study for preaching is quite extensive and interesting. It is a pillar for the spiritual growth of the Christian person. Eternal life can be studied from several biblical books such as Revelation, Daniel, Gospel of John, and 1 Corinthians.
12. Christian Restoration
Forgiveness of sins goes hand in hand with Christian restoration. Biblically it is written that God restores us and makes us new beings when there is sincere repentance. This has to be obligatorily included in Christian preaching. Many people live with the feeling of guilt for life, this feeling does not allow people to advance spiritually and this is reflected in their daily life.
A common phrase is “Why repent if I will be the same”, it is imperative that the teaching is directed to a positive change of life and that this change is possible. In Ezekiel 36:26 it says, “I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you; and I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
13. Hope
Hope is waiting with faith. This topic is perfect for a sermon because today people are hungry to recover their hope, their faith in God. But that recovery must be based on good foundations and for that it must have a biblical foundation. We have verses like Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”
14. Be joyful
Christian joy is biblical. It is the joy that exists in the midst of difficulties. It allows us to keep our spirits and faith when we are going through hard times. Hope and faith in God are the set that develops joy in the Christian person. We see this in Psalm 126:3 “Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and that fills us with joy.”
15. Discernment
Discernment is knowing how to recognize what is right and what is wrong. What is good and what is bad. For a good Christian practice it is necessary to have very present the development of the capacity of discernment because this protects us from bad doctrines and situations of daily life. Philippians 1:9-10 “And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more in true knowledge and all discernment, that you may choose what is best, that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
16. Effort
The effort in our faith, in our work and in our daily life is an attitude that we must assume by divine order. Many do not know it, but biblically the effort even in the midst of circumstances is an order given by God. We can confirm it in the verse Joshua 1:9 “Listen to what I command you: Be strong and of good courage. Fear not, nor be dismayed: for I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Although there are many examples of biblical characters who have had to go through almost extreme situations, the scripture teaches that they were not alone and God never abandoned them. This theme for a preaching is more than necessary for the times of crisis that we are living.
17. Helping others and our home
Helping others is one of the most common preaching and it has a reason. The new commandment of Christ is love. When we begin to work on sincere and healthy love for our neighbor, a change in our personality is generated. Forgiveness is facilitated and we acquire the ability to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes. But what does the scripture say about helping relatives?
“For if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8
This verse is very clear regarding help. It leaves no holes open for misunderstanding, so it is a good start to begin a sermon.
18. The power of prayer
The source of our stress comes from our problems, from our daily lives. The world is becoming more and more convulsive as the years go by. In these times we suffer from economic crises, sickness, and violence, but this is the main reason to cling to the power of prayer.
Prayer is the open door of communication with God, this can be seen biblically in the most shocking example for Christians which is the crucifixion. Jesus knew that he was facing terrible tortures and death, but hours before Jesus prayed and even knowing who he was, he had great fear.
Matthew 26:38-39
38 Then said Jesus unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 And he went a little forward, and fell on his face, praying, and saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
The power of prayer is seen throughout the Bible, Elijah prayed fervently until he saw rain. In times of distress we are taught what is written in Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication present your requests to God and give thanks to him. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
19. Trust in God
Trust in God is the first pillar of faith. No matter how hard we try, if we do not do it with confidence in God’s power, our faith will not bear any fruit. When we pray and talk to God with an awareness of his power, the right thing to do is to place our anxieties in his power of action. And where can I see this? God exercises his will and power, this is clearly explained in verse 1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God consists not in words, but in power.” and in 1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he he hears us.”
20. Own domain
God commands us from the Old Testament that we should assume our responsibilities and our difficulties with courage. This does not mean that we do not have to feel, our feelings of worry are natural and human, but to assume problems with fortitude is a duty that allows us to move forward if we keep our faith.
We see this command in several biblical verses, for example in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” and in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear or be afraid of them, for it is the Lord your God who is with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
21. The end of the world
The end of the world as we know it is a subject that few like to touch on. However, this subject is also biblical. This is written from the Old Testament to the book of Revelation as many of us know. But in sound Christian doctrine the end of the world as we know it today should be a motive of study because of its weight in the events that happened in the past and because of the announcement made by Jesus Christ about what would happen.
Although it is a subject that causes discomfort, eternal life is directly linked to these events announced by Jesus and St. John.
22. Obedience
God calls us to be obedient to His Word. Many do not know what to be obedient to, and this is born of ignorance. When we seek to know God, it is not only about reading the scriptures, but also about working hard to achieve obedience. Obedience is put into practice when we are willing to do it. This is a good topic to preach because it teaches how to make a good change in our lives by heeding what God established.
23. Fidelity
Fidelity is a point to which a preaching should be dedicated. When we speak of faithfulness, the first thing that comes to mind is personal relationships, especially the couple’s relationship. But many of us are not taught the fidelity that we must have to God.
It is mistakenly believed that fidelity is a feeling or something that is born with the person, that there are people who are unfaithful and that there are people who simply are not. This statement is a mistake from the Christian point of view. One cannot be faithful to what one does not know, just as one cannot love without knowing whom one is loving.
Faithfulness is built in all aspects of life, but first and foremost it is built for God. It is written that we shall love God above all things, this is the first commandment we are taught, as it is also written in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” so God is faithful to those who love him.
24. Envy
Envy and resentment have marked the history of mankind and this is also reflected in the biblical story. There can be no healing in a person who is nourished by envy. Envy is anti-Christian, beginning because there is no love of neighbor if there is envy. Biblical examples of envy can be found clearly in Genesis and in the books of Samuel.
25. Gratitude to God
Praise and thanksgiving should be part of our daily lives. Our jobs and our daily affairs distract us from giving thanks to God. Thankfulness is a feeling and an act that identifies us. There is no hiding when we are thankful, that is why we must constantly meditate on all that God has done for us in our lives, starting with the opportunity to be alive as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always, pray without ceasing, give thanks to God in every situation, for this is his will for you in Christ Jesus.”
