Preparing Evangelistic Sermons: A Seven-Step Method for Preaching Salvation
Overview
Want a proven method for effective evangelistic sermons? Look no further.
“When it comes to evangelism, converting the sinner is God’s role,” says author Ramesh Richard. “Communicating the Gospel is the role of the evangelist.” But how is that done effectively?
Preparing Evangelistic Sermons is a simple do-it-yourself resource for evangelistic preaching. Using principles rooted in his seven-step Scripture sculpture method, Dr. Ramesh Richard guides you through the foundation, framework, method, and special issues of preaching salvation. He discusses:
- The divine call to Christian proclamation
- Types of evangelistic ministry
- Relevant issues for evangelistic and pre-evangelistic preaching
- Ideas for delivering sermons based on text, audience, or topic
- And more
This practical guide also includes helpful appendices, outlines, and checklists for pastors, seminarians, and church leaders. Anyone desiring deeper training in evangelistic sermons will find this book to be a valuable, life-changing guide.
The Logos edition of this work on preaching is fully searchable and easily accessible. Scripture passages link directly to your English translations and to the original language texts, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and the wealth of resources in your digital library.
- Offers guidance on how to prepare evangelistic sermons
- Utilizes Richard’s seven-step “Scripture sculpture” method
- Includes appendixes of terms, outlines, and checklists
- Part 1: Foundation
- The Inner Calling of the Preaching Evangelist: Personal and Spiritual Compulsion
- The Outer Calling of the Preaching Evangelist: Biblical Conviction and Motivation
- Part 2: Framework
- A Theological Framework for Evangelistic Preaching
- A Definition of Evangelistic Preaching
- Part 3: Method
- Textual Evangelistic Preaching: Integration with the Scripture Sculpture Process
- Sources and Samples of Textual Evangelistic Preaching
- Text-Driven Topical Evangelistic Preaching
- Audience-Driven Topical Evangelistic Preaching
- Part 4: Special Issues
- Support Materials: Illustrating the Evangelistic Sermon
- The Evangelistic Invitation
Top Highlights
“As one preaching salvation, you are distributing a message that provides fullness rather than futility, offering a powerful rather than whimsical hope, assuring an eternal rather than vanishing promise to humanity. Get involved in evangelistic preaching to present a dependable, life-changing message to all who embrace the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.” (Page 49)
“So ask only two questions to gauge the success of an evangelistic sermon: Have you been faithful to the evangelistic mandate, exploiting your giftedness to meet people’s salvation needs in the opportunities God has opened for your utility? Have you met the criteria for an effective evangelistic sermon? Then leave the rest to God.” (Page 10)
“Converting the sinner is God’s role. Communicating the gospel is yours” (Page 11)
“In evangelistic preaching especially, the illustration is as important as the point—to present the concept, to contemporize a two-thousand-year-old event, to clarify its meaning, to reinforce its significance, and to invite a response.” (Page 10)
“This book focuses on your responsibility in preaching salvation. The first half discusses biblical and theological convictions an evangelist must possess.” (Page 13)
Ramesh Richard rightly observes that evangelistic preaching is driven by an internal conviction, a ‘sacred oughtness’ born of God’s unique work in an individual’s life. Yet how quickly we may forget our calling in the face of struggles, opposition, and yes, even success. Thankfully, readers will find genuine help and biblical insight from a seasoned preacher who has walked these steps before. This is a theme very dear to my heart addressed by one who has demonstrated this gift and calling all over the world.
—Ravi Zacharias, author and speaker
The Gospel hasn’t changed in nearly two thousand years. It’s still the transforming power of Jesus Christ! In this book, Dr. Ramesh Richard shows how to preach the Gospel humbly, prayerfully, biblically, expectantly. May God change lives as you proclaim that Good News!
—Luis Palau, evangelist and author
My good friend Ramesh has provided every communicator who has a heart for the lost with tools to proclaim the Gospel message with power.
—Tony Evans, senior pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship
The clarity, simplicity, and power of Ramesh Richard’s seven-step approach to constructing sermons has well served students and pastors in many settings and nations. Now to have this most approachable method of sermon construction applied to evangelistic preaching is truly good news not only for pastors wanting ready assistance but also for lost souls needing eternal security.
—Bryan Chapell, chancellor, Covenant Theological Seminary
I believe this resource will strengthen your effectiveness as an evangelistic preacher and give you more boldness as you approach your task in the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Daniel Southern, CEO, Daniel Southern Leadership Group
Ramesh Richard leads Ramesh Richard Evangelism and Church Helps (RREACH) International and serves as a professor of global theological engagement and pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary.