Jeffrey

What's the most grueling part of sermon prep? Of course there's probably not one right answer, but skilled preacher and homiletics professor, Jeff Arthurs argues that it just might be when we have to organize all of our exegetical work into a coherent outline. In this week's skills article—"Step 4: Organize the Sermon"—Jeff promises, "This article can't (and shouldn't) stop the 'sweat and labor,' but it can help you strike skillfully." Then he offers four procedures to help structure our sermons so that they reflect the passage's flow of thought and make that flow clear to the congregation.

David

In the entire book of 150 Psalms, there is only one that is titled "A psalm of praise." In this week's featured sermon—"A Picture of Praise"—David Finch offers four powerful reasons for offering God our thanksgiving and praise. Finch doesn't solely focus on the gifts; he focuses on the Giver. In other words, he walks us through Psalm 145 by exploring four attributes of God. But Finch notes, "God's nature is not some abstract set of qualities that are studied in a classroom. Christians know the nature of God in a personal and life-sustaining way." Let this sermon stir up your own ideas about a Thanksgiving-related message.

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: Two Brothers Reconcile After Years of Envy
• Featured Video: Thank You God: Reflect on everything God has done.
• Featured Sermon: "A Picture of Praise" by David Finch
• Featured Skills Article: "Step 4: Organize Your Sermon" by Jeffrey Arthurs

In Christ,

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

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