Mike Fabarez

Here's one of my biggest problems in preaching: I always have so many good things I could say. My sermon prep produces so many fascinating exegetical insights, potential illustrations, and possible applications. I could give three sermons for every one round of prep. I'll give you my solution to this problem in three words: cut, cut, cut. Like a good film producer, leave a bunch of good material on the cutting room floor. Or as Mike Faberez argues in this week's skills article, "If the sermon is to effectively hit the mark, much of what we generate at our desks doesn't belong in the finished product … . . The skill we must develop is to become proficient at knowing what to leave out." You'll appreciate his three-phase process: study like a scholar, plan like a pastor, prepare like a preacher.

Todd Wilson

If you want to see a great model of Faberez's process, check out Todd Wilson's excellent, theologically-rich sermon on Romans 2:1-11—"The Lawful Pleasure of Praise." It's only 2,500 words and less than five pages, but I can tell that Wilson has made some hard decisions about what to leave on the cutting room floor.

This week, review your own preaching. How might God be calling you to leave some of your good material on the cutting room floor?

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: Syrians Risk Lives for Secret Library
• Featured Video: Pursuit - A modern-day parable of God's relentless pursuit of us, His children.
• Featured Sermon: "The Lawful Pleasure of Praise" by Todd Wilson
• Featured Skills Article: "What to Leave on the Cutting Room Floor" by Mike Fabarez

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

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