Bill Hybels

Preachers can always use good resources for preaching on family life. But what makes for a healthy family? How would you describe a family at its best? For this week's featured sermon we pull out a PT Classic—Bill Hybels sermon "Families at Their Best." Hybels wrote this sermon in 2009, but everything he says still resonates in 2015. I also love his top ten list for markers of a healthy family, starting with point #1—"Irrational love"—or what he calls "love for showing up." This is a great place to get your own ideas started about family-themed preaching.

Ken Ulmer

We also offer another PT classic for this week's July 4th weekend update, one of my favorite preaching skills articles—"His Word in Your Mouth," by Pastor Ken Ulmer. Rev. Ulmer says that God is looking pastors who will be a "vessel and vehicle for his word." Then he reminds us, "[Preaching] is a high and holy trust. It is a challenging trust. It is sometimes a frightful trust. But it is a demonstration of the very power of God, because when he speaks, things happen. When he speaks, sick folk get well, depressed folk get encouraged. When he speaks, salvation goes forth. There is power in his word." So this weekend, let God make you his instrument.

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: Church Gives Prostitutes a Second Chance
• Featured Video: Psalm 23: Based on the much-loved Psalm, this worship mini movie encourages us to rest in the watchful care of our loving God.
• Featured Sermon: "Families at Their Best," by Bill Hybels
• Featured Skills Article: "His Word in Your Mouth," by Ken Ulmer

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

P.S. Take some time to read my reflections about Boko Haram and my recent travels to Nigeria.

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