Bryan

Renowned preacher Bryan Chapell knows how to preach on Easter. In this week's featured sermon—"Your New Identity"—Dr. Chapell, offers a fresh, gospel-saturated approach to our hope in Christ's death and resurrection. He starts with our human need—"We come in our Easter best, but what we inadvertently say at times to one another is, 'You've got to measure up too' … Maybe you're wondering whether you'll measure up or catch up, still struggling with something inside of you." But then Chapell quickly moves into the power of Christ—"Because I am united to the death of Christ and united to the life of Christ, his identity has become mine and now I/you/we are profoundly loved." It's a powerful message that rings with gospel hope.

This week we also continue our preaching skills series, "Honing the Craft: 10 Takes from Behind the Pulpit," with another master preacher—Lee Eclov. Lee shares a story about meeting with a personal trainer who kept showing Lee new stretching exercises. Well, Lee argues that preachers need some new ways to stretch their preaching or we'll get stiff and inflexible. Check out his new article—"Take the Initiative to Keep Growing."

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

• Preaching Skills Article: "Take the Initiative to Keep Growing" by Lee Eclov
• Featured Illustration: The Foolishness of the Cross vs. Love of Power
• Video: Easter Video Favorite: Will We Follow?

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.