I have a lot of respect for preachers who tackle tough social issues. As part of our "Project Hazmat" sermon series, a few weeks ago we featured Rick McKinley's sermon on homosexuality. Anybody who preaches from Romans 1 in Portland has guts! This week we feature Rich Nathan's sermon on immigration, "The Grace of Being Tender-hearted." How should Christians think about immigration? How do we obey the government and show compassion to undocumented immigrants? For many communities, these are tough, pressing issues.

Nathan, the senior pastor of a church that has folks from 110 nations, has had to ponder these questions. You might not agree with all of his conclusions. But our goal for this summer series isn't to provide the one and only way to preach (or think) about an issue. Instead, we want to inspire you to be pastoral and prophetic in your own ministry context.

So follow Jesus, soak in the Word, love your people, and preach with guts.

This week we also feature:

• Illustration: Judge Sentences a Man for Yawning
• Sermon: The Grace of Being Tender-hearted by Rich Nathan
• Video: Finding Freedom

In Christ,

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

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