Here are a few ways to make your conclusions more effective:
Always point back to Christ. Offer an opportunity to receive Christ and expect people to respond.
End with emotional intensity. Preach through the head to the heart. Once you’ve informed their minds, you must touch their emotions and challenge their wills. Your conclusion should be the emotional high point of the sermon.
Ask for a specific response. Nothing becomes dynamic until it becomes specific. I’ve heard it said that the goal of the sermon should be to storm the citadel of the will and capture it for Jesus Christ. Here are some ways that I try to do that:
• Use an argument. Anticipate the objections the audience might have and logically refute them.
• Use a warning. Warn them of the consequences of disobedience.
• Use indirect conviction. Arouse moral indignation and then turn it on them. A good example is the story of Nathan and David (2 Samuel 12).
• Use pleading. Express God’s love and concern for them and others.
• Use vision. Paint a picture of what is possible if they obey God. Help them to have faith.
• Use encouragement. Tell them they can do this with God’s power.
Make it personal. The person listening should feel like you are only talking to him or her.
Restate your major points forcefully. You reinforce the truth by summarizing it.
Use a compelling illustration. This helps to make the message memorable.
Use a piercing question. This engages people in processing and applying the message.
