We all do it. We all have our favorite ways to structure our sermons. It's not a bad habit, but it can lead us into a rut. And after a while, our sermons flow more from our pet formulas than from the text itself. For this week's preaching skills article—"Avoiding Formula Preaching"—we explore some fascinating insights with the brilliant Dr. Marguerite Shuster about how to let the structure of the text form the structure of the our sermon. Otherwise, as Dr. Shuster warns, "If the hearer thinks that you're always going to do three points and an application, they mentally check out."

We also continue our "Global Preaching Voices" series with a sermon from Costa Rican theologian Ruth Padilla DeBorst. She does a tremendous job unpacking Ephesians 2:1-22 and giving us a breathtaking vision for the mission of the church as the dwelling of God, the people of God consisting of "Gentile and Jew, slave and free, women and men, old and young, people from South and North, East and West"—all thanks to Christ's reconciling work.

Also, check out these new resources from PreachingToday.com:

• Featured Sermon: —"God's Dwelling Place" Ruth Padilla DeBorst
• Featured Illustration: "Christian Convert on the Run in Afghanistan"
• Featured Video: The Rug: A video illustration about having God alone as our foundation.

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.