I [Adrian Rogers] am concerned that preachers tend to neglect the conclusion in sermon preparation. I consider the conclusion vitally important to achieving success in preaching. It is the drawing of the net, it is getting the names signed on the dotted line.
What I desire in the conclusion is to get convictional and move people's hearts.
I construct the sermon conclusion through answering two questions. 1) What do I desire the people to do concerning this sermon? Answering this question ensures that the objective of the conclusion coincides with the objective of the sermon. 2) How will I move them to act upon the applied truth of the sermon?
The preacher should use variety and creativeness to achieve a solution to the second question. I enjoy concluding with a brief restatement of the important points, a dramatic illustration, or perhaps a strong challenge to the congregation.
Variety, indeed, can be given in this conclusion, but not so much as to distract the congregation from the objective of the message. The conclusion need not be long to be effective, for, in most instances, brevity is a virtue. The preacher should avoid rehashing the sermon or introducing some new thought during the conclusion.
I do end nearly every message by calling upon the people to pray with heads bowed. I would maintain a clear distinction, though, between the conclusion and the invitation. By having the congregation pray with heads bowed, I transition from the conclusion to the invitation.
*This question and answer were extracted from "Love Worth Finding: The Life of Adrian Rogers and His Philosophy of Preaching.”
