Everyone has opinions about sermons. Those of us who deliver them are always looking for the most effective way to get one across. The great majority of people—those who have to listen to them—have opinions also.
Most preachers spend far more time on the introduction than on the conclusion, and I think that’s a mistake.
Would a sales person spend all his time planning a pitch for the product without a thought as to getting the customer’s name on the dotted line? The signature is the whole point.
The response to the sermon is the point of the message.
This assumes the pastor is preaching for life change. He is delivering a message, based on the eternal Word of the living God, to people in serious need of Christ. He should approach his task reverently and faithfully, deliver the message carefully and dutifully, and do all in his power to drive it home.
When the people leave the house of the Lord, they should know they have heard from God. The conclusion to the sermon is a big part of that—how the message ends and how it leaves them.
So, what is the best way to conclude a sermon?
Some would say the best way is just to quit. To shut up and sit down. That seems a little abrupt though. Harsh, even.
We have all teased that the preacher “missed several good stopping places” in his sermon. I’ve heard that, said that and been guilty of doing that.
But there really is a “best way” to end a sermon. Here are some thoughts on the subject.
1. End your sermon intentionally.
Do not end it just because you ran out of time or energy. Doing that takes planning. So, you should plan your landing just as well and as thoroughly as you plan your takeoff.
2. End your sermon positively.
Stay away from haranguing people in the conclusion. Instead, calling to greatness and commitment.
3. End your sermon so that they’re left wanting more.
Conclude before you have exhausted their patience and exceeded their endurance.
4. End the sermon seriously.
Do not end with a joke or some silly reference. Creativity works best in the introduction, but not so much in the conclusion.
5. End the sermon naturally.
Do not force another point onto the message, such as one you forgot earlier or something that just occurred to you. Stay with your plan. And if you forgot something you meant to insert in the message earlier, save it for another message.
6. End the way you began.
Refer to what you started with. Suppose you begin your sermon with a story. What issue did the story raise that launched your message? Now, return to that issue and drive that point home.
7. End the sermon clearly.
Make plain what you are asking your hearers to do during the invitation. In fact, those who do invitations well suggest you explain what you are asking people to do at least two or three times in the body of the sermon, so you’re not springing it on them at the conclusion.
8. End your sermon wisely and freshly.
Do not tack on some hackneyed altar call that sounds exactly like the last 95 altar calls you extended. Plan it, pray over it and prepare for it.
A preacher once told his church, “My job is to preach and your job is to listen. If you get through with the sermon before I do, please be patient and I’ll do the best I can to catch up.”
That’s all anyone asks, pastor. Do the best you can.
Joe McKeever spent 42 years pastoring six Southern Baptist churches and has been writing and cartooning for religious publications for more than 40 years. This article was originally published on McKeever’s blog.