When it comes to preaching, brevity is sometimes beautiful. And at times it has greater power and leads to deeper spiritual transformation in your people. That's the argument behind Skye Jethani's article, "The Case for Shorter Sermons." As a case in point, Skye highlights a famous 269-word speech that changed the course of American history—Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Jethani writes, "I don't believe every sermon should be as brief as the Gettysburg Address, but … Lincoln's famous speech makes me wonder if I might accomplish more by speaking less, and whether a great deal of what I cram into a message is more about meeting expectations (mine and the congregation's) rather than truly benefiting my hearers." It's a provocative article (and it's pretty short too!).

If you're preaching on Pentecost (Sunday, June 8th) or what Holy Spirit-led revival looks like, check out this week's featured sermon—"When the Spirit Comes with Power." Dave Johnson, senior pastor of Church of the Open Door in Minneapolis, Minnesota, asks, "What would it look like if the Holy Spirit truly captured your church and your entire city?"

Also, to strengthen you to reach your people with God's Word, consider the following new resources from PreachingToday.com:

• New Skills Article: A Case for Shorter Sermons, by Skye Jethani
• Featured Illustration: Confused Pilot Lands Plane at Wrong Airport
• Video: The Threshold: The moment when we have to make difficult choices.

In Christ,

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

P.S. Don't miss Leadership Journal's Redeeming Work event in the Twin Cities on June 12. Andy Crouch, Tom Nelson, Skye Jethani, and Sara Groves will be on hand to help you communicate to your congregation that work can be a vital part of discipleship.

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