Polishing the pulpit  For building sermons today 

So how do you close
a good sermon?
by Ed Thomason

Every good thing has to come to an end sooner or later and most brethren prefer "sooner." 

Sometimes preachers keep going and going in circles like an airplane that needs to land but can't seem to find a good place to come down. Of course, in preaching that shows a lack of preparation on our part. Some sermons end as if the preacher just ran out of steam. Again poor preparation. 

A good close should make a solid and lasting impression on our listeners. The close is more than just a review of what has been said. It is actually the last major point - the summary point of all that has been said. That point can be made with an illustration or with a scripture or with question, etc. It should be brief and "thought provoking." We are trying to get people to change, to improve, to grow, or to understand. What are you trying to motivate your audience to do? The close is the where you drive your point home. Nail it!

©2003 Thomason Enterprises