In my current studies, I encountered a remarkable statement by Jared C. Wilson in his book, The Gospel-Driven Church: “The preaching event is the centerpiece of the worship gathering because it is where we most declaratively and authoritatively hear from God.” I agree with Jared on this point. Preaching God’s Word is far and away the most essential part of the Sunday experience. 

Regrettably, preaching has become contentious in several evangelical circles. For example, I’ve been to meetings where debates emerge over whether sermons should be purely informative or geared toward action. More pastors appear to drift further from the center and closer to the extremes concerning the purpose of preaching in church. 

Let me show you all my “cards” now. I believe all preaching should inform, inspire, and ignite. 

Let me briefly explain the first two points before addressing the third. We live in a culture that constantly seeks information and inspiration. Joe Rogan hosts the most successful podcast in the world because he aims to learn something new with every guest who appears on his show. Millions of listeners tune in to follow along. Some popular television shows include The Biggest Loser, America’s Got Talent, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Each one uniquely motivates its audience, encouraging people to watch and later feel inspired to improve themselves or live differently. Pastors can gauge this cultural pulse and tailor their sermons to meet the needs of their congregation. So, what is the wise course of action? Preach to inform your congregation of Biblical truth and inspire them to take action when they leave the service. 

Pastors, preachers, and teachers should take one more step now. Every sermon needs a specific call to action that ignites the congregation to pursue a specific trajectory. Inspiring people to act is good, but igniting a group to pursue particular goals is better.

Don’t believe me? Read through Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount and highlight every time Jesus gives a specific command to do a specific thing. Here’s just a few…

• Leave your gift on the alter and ask for forgiveness (Matt. 5:24)
• Don’t take oaths (Matt. 5:34)
• Don’t let anyone know that you gave to the poor (Matt. 6:3)
• A particular prayer that all believers should pray (Matt. 6: 9-13)
• Take the “beam” out of your eye before you comment on the “splinter” (Matt. 7:5)

Or what about in Luke 9, when Jesus explicitly tells everyone how to follow Him? Luke 9:23 states, “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” 

Jesus did not inform His followers and then inspire them to change in vague terms. He specifically called them to specific actions, decisions, and habits. His message never left the listeners unclear about what to do next. While His parables may have puzzled His disciples, I would argue that their confusion stemmed more from their lack of understanding and faith than from Jesus’s ability to motivate His audience to take action. I think Peter understands this later in Acts after the ascension of Jesus. He concludes his first sermon in Jerusalem with a call to action: “When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent, and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:37-38)

I have often failed to provide a specific call to action in my preaching. I focus more on the intellect than on the emotions. As a result, I can quickly become distracted by all the valuable information I discovered in my studies and feel the urge to share it all with the congregation. I have preached enough over the years that I can easily throw in some vague points about “being better” or ask what their lives would look like if they applied what they heard today in an attempt to inspire action once they leave the church. However, the best sermons in my past are the ones that end with a clear and specific call to action. 

When I think about the most important sermons in my life, they all contain one of these specific calls. Andy Stanley once said in a sermon on relationships that anyone struggling with dating should take one year completely off and instead focus on themselves and their walk with the Lord. Tim Hawks once preached the importance of raising spiritual awareness in Austin, TX, and then challenged the church to have two spiritual conversations daily for the next month. My father once preached on leadership in my high school chapel and then specifically challenged those who would stand for Christ to stand in front of the rest of the group physically. All these sermons significantly affected my life because they called me to an action aligned with biblical principles. 

If you want people to grow in their relationship with the Lord Jesus, preach God’s Word in a way that informs, inspires, and ignites the congregation to pursue pathways that are in accordance with God’s truth.