In Preaching Articles: "Call To Salvation"

Heads Up, Eyes Open, Everyone Looking Around Weekend Invitations

By Dean Hawk on Aug 3, 2023

I’m curious. When and where did ministers first begin asking people to bow their heads, close their eyes, and secretly raise their hand in a church service if they wanted to accept Jesus? Why do we feel like we need to sneak people into heaven?

Tags: Salvation, gospel invitation, Empowered churches

The Power Of Simplicity… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Aug 28, 2023

I really do believe that many of the people you pastor are looking for simplicity.

Tags: focus, Simplicity, simplify, calling

Pastor, I'm Called To Preach--Gimme Your Pulpit!

By Brian Croft on Aug 9, 2019

Brian Croft gives three sound suggestions for encouraging others as they explore their calling.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Does Street Evangelism Really Work?

By Greg Stier on Jan 28, 2025

Evangelism specialist Greg Stier discusses the veracity of street evangelism and how best to win people for Christ.

Tags: Evangelism, Salvation, Lack, Evangelism How To, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

4 Reasons Why Some Preachers Get Better And Others Don't

By Hershael York on Feb 2, 2019

What makes the difference between someone who grows in preaching versus someone who doesn't?

Tags: Preaching, passion, stagnant, Improve, calling  (view more)  (view less)

Avoid The Wreck: 7 Ways To Crash A Sermon

By Carey Nieuwhof on Apr 3, 2019

What's the difference between a sermon that changes someone's life and one that no one can remember even as they drive out of the parking lot?

Tags: Preaching, Resistance, Ruin, call to action

7 Ways To Keep From Killing Your Message

By Carey Nieuwhof on Mar 1, 2023

Every week, gifted communicators kill the messages they bring by making at least seven predictable, fixable mistakes.

Tags: Preaching, Feedback, call to action, preaching

Does Preaching Really Matter?

By Lance Witt on Sep 12, 2019

Like most pastors, I will never forget the first sermon I preached. Basically, we had to hold people at gun point to get them to listen . . .

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 9:16

Tags: Preaching, God's Power, Bartimaeus, calling

Why We Need To Seriously Reconsider The Idea Behind The Altar Call

By Jeff K. Clarke on Mar 25, 2019

We are so desperate to have people make a decision that we rarely, if ever, tell them about the costs associated with making that decision.

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, converts, altar call, costs  (view more)  (view less)

You May Be Called To Preach, But You Still Need A Role Model

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 16, 2020

"He gave no introduction to the sermon. This man simply stepped off the high diving board into the deep water. Except there was no deep water."

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:9

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Should Your Next Altar Call Be Focused On Private Prayer Or Public Confession?

By Jeff K. Clarke on Nov 11, 2019

If we tell people that all they need to do to become a follower of Christ is to bow their heads, close their eyes and repeat a 30-second prayer, what are we saying about Jesus?

Tags: Preaching, private prayer, altar call, public confession

Listen To Your Sermon Just Before You Preach

By Mark Mohler on Dec 4, 2024

Sermons are not made for paper--they're made for the human ear. Have you tried listening to yours?

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-2

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Creativity, call to action, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Great Leadership Often Starts With A Broken Heart

By Brandon Cox on Oct 2, 2023

Usually, knowing what breaks your heart is knowing what you should do with your life, and how you should be leading others.

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4

Tags: broken, Brokenhearted, authentic ministry, Call to ministry

John Piper: 6 Reasons The Son Of God Came Into The World

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 24, 2020

John Piper takes six reasons for Christ's coming one at a time and lets the Bible witness to each one in its own words.

Tags: Christmas, Believe, Salvation, Gift, Jesus Christ, saved, e  (view more)  (view less)

You've Given The Altar Call: Now Watch Out For 7 Mistakes Afterward

By David R. Smith on Oct 15, 2019

"There's nothing more frustrating to me than seeing someone fall between the cracks at such a pivotal moment because of missed opportunities and careless mistakes."

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, altar, Invitation, unbeliever  (view more)  (view less)