I recently preached on Psalm 34, and something exciting happened.
As I opened the passage—“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth”—I saw something shift in the room. The 20-somethings in the congregation, who at first sat with a posture that said “another talking head,” began to lean in.
They weren’t just nodding politely. They were dialed in.
One young man to my right looked like he was about to fall out of his chair—not from boredom, but because something in the Word had gripped him. His eyes locked in. His body tilted forward. His entire posture said: “This matters.”
It wasn’t because the sermon was flashy. It was because Psalm 34 is full of raw emotion, real hope, and the kind of gritty praise that’s born out of suffering, and the Spirit was working through the text.
That moment reminded me: this generation is hungry for truth, but it must be delivered with clarity, conviction, and compassion.
So, how do we preach to a generation that’s grown up in a digital, skeptical, and deeply searching world? How do we avoid gimmicks, stay rooted in Scripture, and still speak in a way that engages hearts?
Let’s explore seven ways faithful preaching can speak powerfully to younger generations, without losing the Gospel thread.
1. Let Your Tone Be Bold and Kind
Preaching to younger generations doesn’t require being edgy—it requires being real. They don’t want to be talked down to. They want the truth shared with humility.
Matt Chandler once said, “We’re not trying to be offensive. We’re trying to be faithful. The cross is offensive enough.” Be clear, but also be pastoral. Grace and truth walk hand in hand.
2. Preach Clear, Focused Sermons
They’re listening—but only if you give them something worth listening to. Keep your sermons purposeful, well-structured, and grounded in one main idea from the text.
As H.B. Charles Jr. reminds us in On Preaching:
“Don’t waste people’s time. Every moment you spend in the pulpit should be worth their attention.”
Preaching isn’t a performance, but it must respect people’s focus and steward their hearts.
3. Show Them Why It Matters
Today’s hearers don’t just ask, “Is it true?” They ask, “Does it matter?”
Warren Wiersbe wisely said, “Truth without application is like a medicine that stays on the shelf.” When you preach, connect doctrine to life. Show how the ancient words of Scripture speak to breakups, burnout, fear, ambition, and real questions people are carrying. This should evoke a certain level of passion in the sermon; this passage matters to you, the listener, right now.
4. Tell Stories That Serve the Text
Stories can open hearts, but they shouldn’t overshadow the message. Think of Jesus—His parables weren’t illustrations, they were the message. Every story must serve the truth you’re preaching.
Alistair Begg put it well: “We are not storytellers—we are truth-tellers who use stories wisely.” And when your story leads people to the Gospel, it’s time well spent.
5. Use Culture Carefully
You don’t have to quote Taylor Swift or mention TikTok trends to make a connection. When you do reference culture, let it illuminate the text, not replace it.
Tim Keller wrote in Preaching: “You must exegete your culture as carefully as you exegete the text.” Know your people. Speak to their world. But keep Scripture as the spotlight.
6. Preach the Bible as the Bible Deserves
Expository preaching still works. In fact, it might be more important now than ever. It teaches people to view Scripture as reliable, powerful, and worthy of their trust.
Steve DeWitt recently reminded his church, “God’s Word is the most relevant thing we can preach because it’s the only thing that doesn’t change.”
Preach it faithfully—and let God’s voice be louder than your own.
7. Bring Jesus Into Every Message
Whether you’re preaching from Judges, Jonah, or James, quote Jesus. That’s not a gimmick; it’s the Great Commission. Jesus said to teach “everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).
Charles Spurgeon’s challenge still echoes: “No Christ in your sermon, sir? Then go home, and never preach again until you have something worth preaching.”
There is nothing more relevant, nothing more beautiful, and nothing more necessary than Christ crucified and risen, for every generation.
A Word of Grace
Pastor, preaching today is not easy. You may feel pressure to be more polished, more trendy, or more impressive. But your calling isn’t to impress—it’s to be faithful.
You’re not alone. The Spirit is your helper. The Word is your anchor. And you have fellow laborers who are walking the same road.
Join a Crossroads Preaching Cohort
This fall, Crossroads Fellowship is launching Preaching Cohorts for pastors who want to grow together in Christ-centered, Scripture-anchored, Spirit-led preaching.
In these groups, we’ll:
- Encourage one another in our calling
- Give and receive honest, grace-filled feedback
- Learn how to connect with today’s listeners without compromising the Gospel
- Pray together for revival in our pulpits and our churches
If you’re interested in joining a preaching cohort, email [your email] or visit [your website] to learn more. Let’s strengthen one another as we proclaim the unchanging Word to a changing world.
Recommended Reading
If you’re looking to grow in preaching, here are some recent resources from trusted evangelical voices:
- Gospel-Driven Ministry – Jared C. Wilson (2024)
- Preaching for a Verdict – J.D. Greear (2023)
- The Word Became Fresh: How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts – Dale Ralph Davis (2020)
- Faithful Preaching – Tony Merida (Updated ed. 2022)
- Preaching to a Post-Everything World – Zack Eswine (Updated ed. 2021)
- Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series (General Editors: David Platt, Tony Merida, Danny Akin) – Ongoing volumes
- The Christ-Centered Expositor – Tony Merida (Revised 2022)
Bonus: Take a Simeon Trust Workshop
One of the best investments you can make in your preaching is attending a Simeon Trust preaching workshop. These intensive, hands-on events help pastors sharpen their ability to rightly handle the Word of God, especially in expository preaching.
Learn more at: www.simeontrust.org
Let’s preach Jesus. Let’s preach the Word. Let’s grow together.
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