American preaching can be very moralistic. From what I have read, that comes from our practical English roots. The English were never too impressed with the metaphysical type of Christianity coming from the Continent and preferred the more “down to earth” and “practical” emphasis of morality. While that can make for a polite and civil people, it is not good for the gospel.

Americans can be similar.

Consequently, if an American sermon isn’t all about morality, it usually ends with a moralistic application—“Go and do this!” In other words, American sermons typically end with a word of law.

In my preaching, I try to end the sermon with a gospel proclamation. I don’t want my last word in a sermon to be another demand that you must do for God, but good news of what Christ has done for you. In my book, One-Point Preaching, I wrote:

In this one-point model of preaching law and gospel every sermon ends with a proclamation of salvation “for you.”

But does that mean every sermon will end with the doctrine of justification? Is this simple method too repetitive?

The short answers are no and no.

The salvation that Jesus brings is broader than you may know and greater than what your people may realize.

Jesus saves you in different ways all year ‘round (Lazar, One Point Preaching, p. 63).

How broad is the salvation that Jesus gives? I listed 52 ways that Jesus saves you, one for each week. Here is the list I came up with:

1. Jesus loves you (John 3:16).
2. Jesus gives you everlasting life (John 6:47).
3. Jesus rescues you from perishing (John 3:16).
4. Jesus keeps you secure in His hand (John 10:28).
5. Jesus reconciles you to God (Rom 5:10).
6. Jesus will never cast you out (John 6:37).
7. Jesus does not impute trespasses to you (2 Cor 5:19).
8. Jesus redeems you (Rom 3:24).
9. Jesus washed you (1 Cor 6:11).
10. Jesus clothes you in righteousness (Phil 3:9).
11. Jesus justifies you (Rom 3:26).
12. Jesus glorifies you (Rom 8:30).
13. Jesus makes you a child of God (John 1:12).
14. Jesus adopts you through the Spirit (Rom 8:15).
15. Jesus makes you complete in Him (Col 2:10).
16. Jesus is your wisdom (1 Cor 1:30).
17. Jesus forgave you (Eph 1:7).
18. Jesus forgives you (1 John 1:9).
19. Jesus cleanses you (1 John 1:7-9).
20. Jesus makes you accepted (Eph 1:6).
21. Jesus delivers you from the powers of darkness (Col 1:13).
22. Jesus transfers you into the kingdom of His love (Col 1:13).
23. Jesus crucifies your old man (Rom 6:6-8).
24. Jesus frees you from being a slave to sin (Rom 6:6-7).
25. Jesus buries you in baptism (Rom 6:4).
26. Jesus raises you to life in baptism (Rom 6:4-5).
27. Jesus gives you the Holy Spirit (John 7:39).
28. Jesus seals you by the Spirit (2 Cor 1:22).
29. Jesus puts you in Himself (John 14:20).
30. Jesus puts you in the Spirit (Rom 8:9).
31. Jesus releases you from law (Rom 7:4).
32. Jesus places you under grace (Rom 6:14).
33. Jesus made you a son of God (Gal 3:26).
34. Jesus brings you near to God (Eph 2:13).
35. Jesus guarantees you will never die (John 11:26).
36. Jesus makes you a member of His Body (1 Cor 12:13).
37. Jesus is your bridegroom (Eph 5:25-27).
38. Jesus purifies you (Titus 2:14).
39. Jesus inherits you (Eph 1:18).
40. Jesus makes you God’s building (1 Cor 3:9).
41. Jesus gives you heavenly citizenship (Eph 2:19).
42. Jesus frees you from condemnation (Rom 8:1).
43. Jesus gives you access to God (Heb 10:19-20).
44. Jesus gives you His grace (Eph 2:8).
45. Jesus works His power in you (Eph 1:19).
46. Jesus gives you peace (Col 3:15).
47. Jesus gives you hope (Eph 1:18).
48. Jesus gives you rest (Heb 4:3).
49. Jesus gives you joy (Rom 15:13).
50. Jesus consoles you (2 Thess 2:16).
51. Jesus gives you every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3).
52. Jesus is your advocate (1 John 2:1).

Fill your congregation’s ears with Jesus and what He does. He has the words of eternal life.

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Send your questions or comments to shawn@freegrace.in.

Read his latest book, The Five Points of Free Grace for free, buy it from us, or from Amazon.