Lawrence Aker III

Ferguson, Staten Island, Cleveland—racial tensions are simmering across our nation. Should you address it from the pulpit? This week we start a two-part series titled "Preaching on Race: Why We Can't Wait." In part 1, Reverend Lawrence Aker, III, senior pastor of the historic Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, writes, "Personally, I have to address it—because in my community, it's our reality." But Lawrence also contends, "This issue affects all of us. Racial issues impact congregations of all colors, because the Fall of Adam continues to trickle down."

Stewart Ruch III

We also usher in the Lenten season or a journey to the Cross with the classic story of Christ's temptation in the desert. In this week's sermon based on Luke 4, Stewart Ruch argues that "suffering comes small and pointed sometimes, and it comes large and suffocating at other times" but there will always be desert seasons. The real test is this: Will we believe the lie that we're alone in the desert or will we believe the gospel truth that the Father will meet us in the desert?

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: "Booing Cardboard Cutout of Baseball Star"
• Featured Video: Animated Argument—Lent: In this funny video two characters have a heated discussion about what makes a "good something" to fast from for Lent.
• Featured Sermon: "Temptation," by Stewart Ruch
• Featured Skills Article: "Preaching on Race: Why We Can't Wait (Part 1)," by Lawrence Aker III

In Christ,

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

P.S. Getting ready for Lent and Easter sermon prep? Don't forget to browse our Holiday Pages for our most up to date content!

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