I'm all for preaching with one crisp, clear, big idea. I'm also a huge fan of building a simple sermon structure so that everything points to that big idea. But after a deeper encounter with Christ's power in my own life (and a deeper sense of my own brokenness), I noticed a strange trend in my preaching. People would tell me, "Your sermon touched me today." When I asked for specifics, they would often mention something that had almost nothing to do with what seemed like an obvious big idea. It became almost comical. I think it was God's way of saying, "Look, Matt, go ahead and preach with clarity, but if I'm in this preaching event, it's about time to expect the unexpected because this isn't all about you. I will be present and I will touch my people." Preacher, I encourage you to leave room for the Spirit, expecting the unexpected.

And speaking of God doing unexpected things through unexpected people, you'll love this week's sermon by Mark Mitchell—"God of the Left-handed." It is part of our new series "Challenges Ahead: Preaching the Bible's Tough Texts." Mark's sermon focuses on God's unexpected work through Ehud, that unlikely left-handed hero-assassin from Judges 3.

This week to help you in your preaching efforts we offer the following:

• Featured Illustration: Unconditional Love for Someone with Severe Disabilities
• Skills Article: A Cup Running Over by Dallas Willard
• Video: What is Your Work

In Christ,

Matt Woodley
Managing Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

P.S. If you've been inspired by PreachingToday.com, share it with your friends. Sign them up for three free months of great illustrations, sermons, and skills article. No cost, no obligation, and no credit card info required.

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.