From time to time, I’m asked this question, so let me simply repeat what I have said before.

No, I don’t have a staff of speechwriters, and I do my own sermons. I am, however, constantly on the lookout for new illustrations or ideas, and I read as widely as possible to prepare my messages.

God has also given me some wonderful people at various stages of my ministry to help me with research. Members of my team and other friends, knowing of my need for fresh material, often pass along ideas or illustrations from their own reading. The writer of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Luke noted that he had relied on many sources to write his Gospel (see Luke 1:1-4).

My greatest help through the years has been my wife, Ruth, who merged her amazing capabilities into my own ministry. Over the years, she also has helped me with this column, as does one of my staff members who does research and editorial work for it. Each column, however, represents my own answer to the question.

In all my preaching and writing, I seek to point people to God’s Word, the Bible. It alone gives us a solid foundation for life–for it points us to Christ, who opened heaven’s door for us by His death and resurrection. Are you trusting Him alone for your salvation?