To change people's lives through preaching we cannot simply present the truth of God's Word. We also must clear away the falsehoods that currently hold ground in people's belief systems.

The work of a preacher resembles that of a construction company building a new high rise on a city block currently occupied by a derelict building. First they tear down the old, load the debris into trucks, and haul it away. Then they prepare the ground and build new foundations.

For an illustration that describes some of our culture's prominent errors—the derelict buildings that you need to demolish—see The Core Beliefs of America's "Spiritual but Not Religious" Teachers.

This week we also feature:

• Father's Day: Sermons and illustrations.
• Sermon: How a Servant Thinks, by James Bradford
• Video: It's Father's Day, when we celebrate everything our fathers have done for us, and most of all, a day to praise God, for a celebration of fathers is ultimately a celebration of the Heavenly Father who created them.

Preaching Christ,

Brian Larson
Editor, PreachingToday.com
blarson@christianitytoday.com

Craig Brian Larson is the pastor of Lake Shore Church in Chicago and author and editor of numerous books, including The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching (Zondervan). He blogs on Knowing God and His Ways at craigbrianlarson.com.