On May 29, 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King came to the Cornerstone Baptist Church as a marked man. In less than 700 days, he would be murdered. But on that glad Sunday morning in May 1966 Dr. King had a sermon to preach for his "Uncle" Sandy Ray in Brooklyn, New York. Rev. Lawrence Aker III, the current senior pastor at Cornerstone, has given us permission to offer this previously unpublished sermon.

It's called "Guidelines for a Constructive Church." Although King was facing some circumstances particular to his time, this stirring challenge to the church is relevant for any age. Dr. King was "missional" before the word even existed. As Dr. King reminds us, "The cross means what it says. It's something that you die on … But there are too many churches more concerned about a cushion than a cross." But this isn't a gloomy message of despair. As King says, "I've heard the thunder roll. I felt sin's breakers dashing, trying to conquer my soul. I heard the voice of Jesus promise never to leave me. Never to leave me alone. No, never alone! No, never alone!"

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

• Featured Illustration: MLK Jr. and Nietzsche Respond to Injustice
• Featured Sermon: Guidelines for a Constructive Church By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Preaching Skills Article: Preacher as Advocate By John Koessler
• Video: Let Freedom Ring

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.