Why I Preach to Unbelievers every Sunday

“I believe that Sunday morning is for the gathering of God’s people. Evangelism is what we want our people to do outside the walls. Our time ‘inside’ is for our people to worship, be edified, and to be encouraged.” While this statement is a “mash-up” in itself, a statement like this can be heard around the table at times among preachers over coffee.

“I am preaching for the invitation every week. I am looking for the lost guy, the distant guy, the displaced guy every week. Every sermon. Every week! If I lead silent prayer, I am going to give an invitation to respond.” Ok, maybe this statement appears a little embellished…but I have heard its parts and the theme of it over and over through the years. I have even said most of these!

So, which is it? Is the Sunday morning gathering for the wayward or the worshipper? Is the goal to see the lost saved, or the saints encouraged? I think the question itself obscures the correct answer because it seeks an either/or response…rather than a both/and.

As such, let me briefly explain why I preach to unbelievers every week. Let me first affirm that I believe that the church comes together weekly, usually on Sunday, and does so for the purpose of worship, fellowship, exhortation, encouragement and equipping. This is not in conflict with my reasons below; rather, this sets the stage for them.

• I preach to unbelievers on Sunday because they are there. In a church of any size, from four to forty-thousand, there is a good chance that someone listening has yet to truly yield to Jesus as Lord. Sometimes, this person is new. He or she was recently invited, dropped by, or happened among God’s people for some other reason. At other times, this unbeliever is religious and may even be a member. Perhaps he or she prayed a prayer at some point in the past but did not yield to Christ. He may have exclaimed “save me,” but like the “rich, young ruler,” he was unwilling to do what Christ required.
• I preach to unbelievers on Sunday because sometimes God’s people act like it. My challenge to unbelievers is always that they would respond to the love of Christ displayed at Calvary’s cross and turn, by faith to Christ as Lord. That prescription is true and effective whether someone is on the “outside” of the family of faith…or is “eating swine snacks in the far country” of Christ’s kingdom. The answer for all rebels is to come to (or back to) Christ by faith.
• I preach to unbelievers on Sunday because it trains other believers how to do it. Many small group leaders stand (or sit) and give a lesson to a group weekly. Where did they learn to do that? Sitting under a pastor in the worship gathering on Sunday! I have tried for years to teach these gifted leaders that a second sermon is not the call of the hour; rather, the small group environment is about conversation and application. Trying to change that behavior has always proven to be challenging because these precious teachers learned it honestly. I preach to unbelievers on Sunday so that God’s people will learn how to do so as well. I want them to present God’s truth faithfully, God’s love gracefully, God’s plan compassionately, and God’s call to respond winsomely.
• Finally, I preach to unbelievers on Sunday because the gospel encourages the believer. When I talk about being far from God and God’s redemptive plan, I am reminded of my days choosing to live far from Him and how “He sought me, and bought me, with His redeeming blood.” When I find someone bored with the Gospel, I immediately know something is amiss. How do you get bored with your own birthday? When the gospel is proclaimed to the believer it elicits one hearty, worshipful response: AMEN!

Why this article? Well, I am immersed in the subject presently…and it was on my heart. If you have thoughts, feel free to drop by, chime in, and we can chat. As always, I’d appreciate your help in clicking LIKE, sharing the article, or sharing a comment about it. This not only encourages me; but, it also helps broaden the audience of those who may benefit from it that don’t yet subscribe personally.