I was recently asked what advice I'd pass on to other preachers, especially to "ordinary" preachers who have to compete with the popular mega-church pastors. My advice was pretty simple: Let God use you. I told a story from my last church, a very intellectual church on Long Island about 45 miles from Tim Keller's church in Manhattan. I kept hearing stuff like, "Can you believe what Tim Keller said? He's so amazing!" So I did my best to preach just like Tim Keller. I read or listened to dozens of his sermons, and I probably crossed the line into Keller-plagiarism. Some people liked my preaching better, but I was tied up in knots. I had Keller-envy. Finally, I heard the Lord distinctly say to me: "I already have a Tim Keller. I don't need another one. I need a Matt Woodley. When are you going to be the Matt Woodley in my Kingdom?" That changed my life. Your people need you to be you. Nobody gets your ministry context and loves your people like you do, so get over your preacher-envy and let God work through you.

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

• Featured Illustration: Famous Astronomer Who Accepted Christ
• Featured Sermon: Resurrection Hope for Every Day by Wesley Hill
• Video: Smart

In Christ,

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

P.S. In case you missed it, check out Peter Scazzero's fabulous message on the four seeds of pastoral work in last week's sermon—Lessons after 26 Years of Planting Seeds.

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