In his final session on preparing to preach, David R. Helm focuses on the audience—the people in the pew—and how preachers must learn to appeal to the heart. Faithfulness in preaching depends on sound exegesis, but fruitfulness is diminished if a preacher does not understand how to speak persuasively to listeners. Scripture itself demonstrates this: Acts opens with hearts “cut” by Peter’s preaching and ends with hearts that have grown “dull.” Preaching always confronts the heart—sometimes producing repentance, sometimes rejection.

Helm explains that every audience is persuaded by certain authorities, and effective preaching appeals to these. Four main sources shape persuasion:

1. Proclamation (declaring what God has said),
2. Reason (logical argument),
3. Experience (either the preacher’s or the listener’s), and
4. Expertise (respected external authorities).

Paul uses all four in Acts 17 as he reasons, explains, proves, and proclaims from Scripture. Preachers, however, tend to rely on only one or two, attracting people like themselves while missing others. To reach the whole church, sermons must incorporate all four modes of appeal.

Helm concludes with two guiding questions: Does the biblical author use any of these appeals? and How can I faithfully mirror that appeal for my audience? By doing so, the preacher presents not only the truth of the text but its persuasive force, making the gospel’s claims compelling to every kind of listener.

Pastors & Leaders Conference 2019