In many circles today, there is a call to focus on edifying the saints in the sermons preached on the Lord’s Day. The thought is that if God’s people are growing, they will “go and tell,” in reaching their neighbors with the Gospel. There is no doubt that our messages are to motivate Christians to mature and carry the message of Christ to those God brings across their path.
Yet, we dare not neglect preaching to evangelize the sinners who may be among us. Paul acknowledged in the Corinthian church that what was communicated in worship needed to be clear to those who were among them in need of regeneration, (cf. 1 Cor. 14:23-25).
Some of our reaction against evangelistic preaching in the worship service is likely due to an overreaction to extremes in the “attractional” model of worship. In the attractional church, the likely sincere effort to reach lost souls and attract them to Christ has sometimes resulted in diluting of sound doctrine. A desire to connect with the uniformed and unbelieving makes it tempting to take the edge off truths that might offend sinners. Such churches have tended to avoid speaking about these uncomfortable texts at best or abandoning such truths at worst.
I want to caution of letting the pendulum swing too far the other direction. Paul commanded Timothy to, “do the work of an evangelist,” (2 Tim. 4:5). While this should move the preacher out of the church building and into the harvest field, the command is set in the context of our preaching ministry. “Go and tell,” is commanded, but Scripture also beckons, “Come and see,” (Jn. 1:35-39).
Some also decry a Gospel invitation at the end of the sermon, where people are called to respond publicly to the message. I do not want to be uncharitable, so it is important to note that solid preachers do extend a call to commitment, even if the form in which it is presented is not that which became common to evangelicalism. If you do not call people to commitment and preach the Gospel, then there needs to be some soul-searching as to the purpose of your preaching.
Again, I think this has risen from a rightful concern about “easy-believism” and emotional manipulation that has brought too many of the unconverted into the church membership. They went into the baptistery as dry sinners and came out wet ones—but still sinners!
But, while we are on the subject of water, let us not “throw out the baby with the bath water,” as the old saying goes. An evangelistic sermon with an evangelical invitation can still be effective. Just consider the Jesus model. He attracted sinners to Himself. They heard Him eagerly. While the religious crowd was scandalized, the sinful were magnetized.
The reality is that Jesus still draws a crowd. Sinners will be attracted by the work of the Holy Spirit through the power of the Gospel. Sinners should be invited to salvation as we go to them, but in going to them we should also invite them to come hear the Gospel message. Where the Body of Christ manifests His love and grace, sinners will be drawn. Also, there ought to be children growing up under sound Gospel preaching that will respond to the Gospel. Likewise, the Spirit will open the eyes of unconverted church members who are yet unregenerate.
Throughout the Scripture, multiple witnesses were required to confirm the testimony given, (Deut. 19:15; Matt. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19; 2 Tim. 2:2). So, it might look like this: a man and his wife share the Gospel with their neighbor. They invite them to the worship service and hear the Gospel in music and message. As the preacher speaks the Word, they hear the, “Amen’s” from the congregation. The confirmation of the message convicts them and they respond to the Gospel invitation. At that point, the process of discipleship has only begun—but, at least, it has begun. Sadly, some will make a start who do not finish, but no one will finish who does not make a start!
Church members need to hear the Gospel with regularity and fervency also. Those who are saved dare not forget what it was like to be lost. The cross is central in our preaching, even if we think we are “preaching to the choir.” If that were not so, then why did Jesus command the consistent observance of the Lord’s Supper?
show me where you brought me from
and where I could have been,
oh remember I'm human and humans forget,
so remind me remind me dear lord.
Invite sinners to Christ. Preach Jesus. There is magnetism in that message. Call men and women to repentance with urgency!
Stephen Olford wrote this:
“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.” – Luke 15:1
What a grand fact! It is interesting to note how the ministry of the Lord primarily attracted the publicans and sinners. It is recorded: “The common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37). He said, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Matt. 9:13). “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Paul testifies: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief ” (1 Tim. 1:15). In the light of these few verses, it is obvious that the Lord's ministry not only attracted sinners but also was primarily for them. How important to have His message and mission today!
O, that Your ministry, Lord, through mewould draw the publicans and sinners to Yourself. (According to Your Word, p. 58, Kindle version)
