CTS Evangelistic Preaching · Unit 2

Learning Goal

After studying this unit you will be able to explain clearly the biblical foundations for evangelistic preaching and apply the keyword approach — with the keyword always being a plural noun — to build effective evangelistic sermons. You will also learn how to construct a topical or deductive outline when a single verse does not contain every point your message needs, while keeping the sermon thoroughly biblical and aimed at a personal decision for Christ.

The Bible as Our Foundation

The entire Bible is the foundation for evangelistic preaching. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His plan to save lost people through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20 commands us to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded. Evangelism is not an optional ministry strung onto the side of the church; it is the Commission itself.

The Apostolic Pattern — Ambassadors for Christ

The apostle Paul summarizes the heart of evangelistic preaching when he writes:

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20, NKJV)

Every evangelistic sermon must therefore be rooted in Scripture and aimed at the same goal the apostles had: calling men and women to be reconciled to God. The ambassador does not invent the message; he carries the King's message. That is the dignity and the discipline of evangelistic preaching.

The Gospel as God's Power

In Unit 8 of WiseSpeak we saw that evangelistic preaching is not satisfied with general religious talk. It aims at conversion. The gospel is "the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16, NKJV). This is why the keyword approach from the first seven units of WiseSpeak is so important for evangelistic preaching: it gives us a clear, systematic way to move from any biblical text to a sermon that calls for a definite response.

The Keyword Method — A Review

The keyword method, as taught in the first seven units of WiseSpeak, is the same method we use in evangelistic preaching. We begin with the text, discover the central idea, ask the probing question, select the keyword, form the subject and objective, and build a clear outline.

The Two Rules That Govern Every Outline

There are two important rules that must always be followed:

1. The keyword must always be a plural noun.
2. Every point in the outline must be a singular of that plural noun.

This keeps the sermon unified and easy for the listener to follow. The keyword is the single thread that runs through every point; the points are simply the strand-by-strand unfolding of the plural noun the keyword names.

Topical (Deductive) Outlines and Why We Need Them

When a single verse does not contain every point needed for a complete evangelistic message, we use a topical (deductive) outline. The main subject is built around the plural keyword, and each point has its own supporting text from Scripture. In this way the sermon remains thoroughly biblical even when the points come from different passages. The keyword still controls the structure; the points still remain singulars of the keyword; the only thing that changes is that we now reach into several passages instead of one.

Worked Example — "Conditions" for Salvation

Suppose the probing question is, "What must I do to be saved?" The keyword we choose is "conditions" (a plural noun). The subject becomes "God's Conditions for Salvation." The objective is, "To lead every listener to meet God's conditions by believing in Jesus Christ today."

Because no single verse contains every condition, we build a topical (deductive) outline with supporting texts:

Each point is a singular of the plural keyword "conditions." Each point is supported by its own clear Scripture text. The entire sermon stays unified under the keyword and moves the listener toward a definite decision for Christ. The keyword holds the sermon together; the points are singulars of that keyword; and when one verse is not enough, we use a topical outline with multiple supporting texts. This approach keeps the sermon biblical, logical, and evangelistic.

Example — "Reasons" to Come to Christ

Example — "Assurances" of Salvation

In each case the keyword is a plural noun, the points are singulars of that noun, and the sermon moves the listener toward a personal response. Three different probing questions, three different sets of supporting texts, three different keywords — but the same disciplined method behind each one.

Four Questions Before You Preach

When you prepare an evangelistic sermon, always ask:

• What is the probing question my listeners need answered?
• What plural noun keyword will hold the entire sermon together?
• Do I need a topical outline with multiple texts to cover all the points?
• Is the objective clearly aimed at leading the listener to a decision for Christ?

These four questions are the doorway. Get them right, and the sermon will almost build itself. Skip them, and even good material will sprawl.

The Keyword Approach as Evangelistic Discipline

This method, taken directly from the first seven units of WiseSpeak and applied to the evangelistic material in Unit 8, gives every sermon a clear structure and a strong evangelistic purpose. The keyword is not a clever trick; it is a discipline of clarity. The listener hears one truth, sees the supporting points fall into line, and is brought to the place where decision is the only honest response. That is biblical preaching, and that is evangelistic preaching.