Center for Excellence in Preaching

Why did Jesus have to suffer? Dive into the meaning and significance of His Passion through the lens of the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 15, alongside insightful commentary, related biblical texts, and illustration ideas. bit.ly/4skH5AN

"We have to enter his grief and only then can we properly celebrate this victory over death. You really cannot have one without the other." Read more in the sermon commentary for Psalm 31:9-16. bit.ly/412oXjv

"Hope requires us to have our eyes on things around us, but also on things above, where Christ is, our king seated at the right hand of the Father." Read more in the sermon commentary for Matthew 21:1-11. bit.ly/3Pk3u2U

The Bowed Head: How Preachers Deal with Grief July 20 - 24, 2026 Topics include: nature, causes, and forms of grief, biblical views on grief, expressing grief in worship Presenters: Scott Hoezee, Neal Plantinga Most expenses covered More information: bit.ly/4uqDMK1

"Hope has been placed on stage and the story isn’t complete until hope is realized." Read more in the sermon commentary for Ezekiel 37:1-14. bit.ly/4urIvLt

"Jesus asks her if she believes that he is the resurrection and the life—more than able to ask and receive, he is the one able to give, that is he the one." Read more in the sermon commentary for John 11:11-45. bit.ly/4rsvezq

Discover 52 Children’s Sermons, offering a full year of Scripturally-grounded resources for engaging the younger members of your congregation. bit.ly/4csFgNp

"Christ’s Spirit equips his followers to, in other words, share some of the character of our Savior who called himself the 'Light of the world.'" Read more in the sermon commentary for Ephesians 5:8-14. bit.ly/4cMPTeb

"Jesus heals, Jesus dispels lies, and Jesus does not abandon us when others give up on making us fit their boxes." Read more in the sermon commentary for John 9:1-41. bit.ly/4le7Rs3

Leopoldo Cervantes-Ortiz has just submitted his 500th Spanish-language commentary for CEP! Since 2016, Leopoldo has faithfully served preachers worldwide every single week. We are so grateful for his faithful voice and deep insight.

"Between the sky of our intentions and the earthly reality of our actions. Crucified between them. That's the truth." Read more in the sermon commentary for Psalm 95. bit.ly/4kWdWJj

"Receiving Jesus's welcome is like becoming a fountain of water; an endless supply always there to quench one's thirst and to share with others." Read more in the sermon commentary for John 4:5-42. bit.ly/4cNSOmC

Access a library of free artwork featuring the Men and Women of the Bible to use in your worship slides and bulletins: bit.ly/4rJi2HH

"Coming up right after Genesis 4-11, God's call to Abraham is a giant rebuttal to all the stories that come before it." Read more in the sermon commentary for Genesis 12:1-4. bit.ly/4tOWefc

"Nicodemus must journey from knowing that the Rabbi Jesus has come from God to believing in him." Read more in the sermon commentary for John 3:1-17. bit.ly/4qKMorI

Discover how to use imagination and images to move your congregation beyond the abstract. Watch the lecture by Rev. Peter Jonker: bit.ly/4bQrkwm

"Are there other things in our lives that we find easier to ignore than to confess?" Read more in the sermon commentary for Psalm 32. bit.ly/4kwx4gZ

"What if we understood ourselves as being led into the wilderness to battle evil as the tempter works to harm and lead others astray?" Read more in the sermon commentary for Matthew 4:1-11. bit.ly/46Dd5HF

This Ash Wednesday, Leonard VanderZee breaks down "The Weapons of our Warfare." Start your Lent with a perspective shift on spiritual strength. bit.ly/4tjEqZ2

"The image of fire holds both law and Spirit together in Scripture." Read more in the sermon commentary for Exodus 24:12-18. bit.ly/4r0ME73