Jesus said to preach the gospel to everyone. My alma mater, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, emphasizes gospel-centered, text-driven preaching. So, I’ve got a bit of a bias.
In today’s world wherein Christianized life coaches masquerade as pastors and religious self-help enlightenment is passed off as gospel preaching, I’d like to offer seven ways you can share the gospel in any sermon.
Preach a Gospel Text
While any passage in the Bible relates to the gospel, some texts are less gospely (is that a word?) than others. That is, they don’t directly address how to be saved.
For example, the census info in Numbers wouldn’t generally be a “gospel text,” whereas John 3:16 is absolutely about the gospel.
One way you can share the gospel in a sermon is preach a text that deals expressly with salvation. Along with John 3:16, you can preach Romans 6:23, Isaiah 53, Ephesians 2:4-9, and many others.
Show How a Non-Gospel Text Relates to the Gospel
As I said, every text relates to the gospel. However, not every text is gospely (I like that word now). For example,
Numbers 1:22-23 (census data)
22 Of the sons of Simeon, their genealogical registration by their families, by their fathers’ households, their numbered men, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war, 23 their numbered men of the tribe of Simeon were 59,300.
Song of Solomon 1:16-17 (love poetry, interior design, architecture)
16 “How handsome you are, my beloved,
And so pleasant!
Indeed, our couch is luxuriant!
17 “The beams of our houses are cedars,
Our rafters, cypresses.Acts 20:13-15 (travel itinerary)
13 But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for so he had arranged it, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 Sailing from there, we arrived the following day opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day following we came to Miletus.
These passages don’t directly address salvation, sin, Calvary, or faith in Christ. However, they do relate to the gospel, and you can’t show how a passage relates to the gospel without also sharing the gospel.
Use a Video Illustration
Videos make great sermon illustrations (though they can be used in other ways). Video appeals to our visual nature, and younger folks (talking to Millennials and Gen Zers) are already hooked on YouTube. So video is a natural way to communicate.
Sometime during the sermon, play a video that explains and illustrates the gospel. There are many out there that you can purchase from Sermon Spice or Worship House Media. Or, if you want, make one in-house.
Share the Gospel Right Before the Response Time
I’ve seen this done all the time. I’ve done it many times.
You’ve preached a great sermon on three ways to grow a marriage, then you reach the end of the sermon. However, preachers are supposed to be evangelistic, so you tack on the gospel at the end and ask people to respond to it.
There’s nothing wrong with this. However, if you do this, make sure the transition is smooth so that the gospel doesn’t come across an afterthought.
Share Your Salvation Testimony
I’m assuming that, as the preacher, you are already saved. If not, please stop preaching and come to Jesus first. That said . . .
During your sermon, share your gospel story. That is, tell your listeners how you came to be saved. Tell them what you were told, talk about your journey to Jesus, and share how your walk with him has gone since accepting Christ – even the struggles.
Doing this will not only let others hear the gospel, it’ll make you more transparent and authentic.
Ask Others to Share Their Salvation Testimony
One of the most powerful services I was blessed to oversee was when, instead of my planned sermon, I asked people to share their testimonies. People kept sharing, and sharing, and sharing.
And sharing.
The Holy Spirit uses testimonies about Jesus in a powerful way because part of his role is to bring people to Jesus.
Sing the Gospel during the Sermon
I don’t mean the special music or the worship team. I mean the preacher can sing the gospel during his sermon.
You don’t have to be a good singer, just a willing one. Well, that is unless you’re this guy, then please use the choir.
I hope these give you some ideas for your next sermon. What other ways can the gospel be shared during a sermon?
