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Alex D. Montoya is the senior pastor at First Fundamental Bible Church in Whittier, Calif. He is the author of the book, Preaching with a Passion.
An open Bible sits on a pulpit at the front of a church, pews in the background, symbolizing preaching that contains sermon illustrations that connect with the audience.
Faith & Evangelism

Using Illustration in Sermons

Clarity in preaching is very important. Illustrations can help provide understanding and explain the truths revealed in Scripture.
Alex Montoya
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man preparing sermon
Faith & Evangelism

How Much Time Should a Pastor Spend on a Sermon?

How much time should a pastor spend on sermon preparation? Some say it takes a lifetime to prepare a sermon, while others suggest a pastor should sped no less than
Alex Montoya
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a pastor stands next to a lake with his bible open and pine trees in the background
Faith & Evangelism

Seven Directives for Effective Ministry

Success, as measured by God, is faithfulness (I Corinthians 4:2), and we can be faithful to these seven directives of ministry. Only as we are faithful to these seven directives
Alex Montoya
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praying hands over an open Bible
Faith & Evangelism

Overcoming the Tyranny of the Sermon

The stress of sermon preparation and delivery is something every faithful pastor faces and must learn to overcome if he is to endure in ministry and maintain his joy and
Alex Montoya
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A photo of two rings, one sitting halfway on top of the other on a page from the Bible.
Marriage

How Churches Can Honor God’s Marriage Design

The church must see itself as a safety net to help God’s people honor marriage and raise children in the nurture and discipline of the Lord.
Alex Montoya
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An open Bible and a coffee mug sit on a table as sunlight floods in from the window.
Faith & Evangelism

Sermon Preparation for the Coming Year

Pastors can benefit from looking ahead at the coming year and deciding what emphasis we would like to make in our preaching schedule.
Alex Montoya
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Churchgoers hold lit candles at a Christmas Eve service.
Faith & Evangelism

Unexpected Christmas Texts to Preach

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:14).
Alex Montoya
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a pine forest landscape with a dusky golden sky reminiscent of the virtue of humility
Faith & Evangelism

The Pastor's Attitude Toward the Lord Jesus Christ

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).
Alex Montoya
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a hilly landscape featuring sheep that allude to the pastor's role to serve God's flock
Faith & Evangelism

The Pastor's Attitude Toward the Work of Ministry

"Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed but with eagerness; 3 nor yet
Alex Montoya
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image of male and female church members of all ages sitting in pews with their Bibles
Faith & Evangelism

The Pastor's Attitude Toward the People of God

In our current secular culture, it is easy to get pastoral attitudes toward church members from the world and not from Scripture. This can be especially true for men who
Alex Montoya
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Two pastors walk together as friends, displaying biblical leadership attitudes as they walk down a tree-lined sidewalk at a park in their sport jackets.
Faith & Evangelism

The Pastor's Attitude Toward Other Leaders

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1).
Alex Montoya
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An older man passes a bible on to a younger man.
Faith & Evangelism

Training the Next Generation of Pastors

Preparing the next generation of pastors is necessary if we expect the church to survive and thrive.
Alex Montoya
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