Aiming for Conversion in Our Preaching
October 6, 2026
October 6, 2026
Abstract: Sam Romine argues that although the preaching that takes place in the weekly gathering should primarily be aimed at believers, pastors should also aim at the conversion of unbelievers in their preaching. He points as evidence to to the prophets of the Old Testament as well as the apostle Paul’s comments about the presence of unbelievers in the gathering in 1 Corinthians 14:23–25. Romine closes with three practical exhortations to help pastors put this into practice.
Editor’s Note: This article is taken from Church Matters, the 9Marks journal for pastors, in the issue titled Conversion.
Some things are just meant to go together. A warm slice of apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Cozying up with a book on a rainy day. Watching fireworks light up the night sky with a grilled hot dog in hand. Preaching exegetically through a passage and calling for the conversion of sinners—well, that may be taking things a bit too far!
As I’ve reflected on preaching with other pastors, it seems there’s a common temptation to underplay preaching for conversion while aiming to preach expositionally as though these two are incompatible or only awkwardly related. Why is this?
Some are simply trying to guard against sloppy exposition that ignores the point of the text. Others have been scarred by past experiences of manipulative altar calls and forced invitations, so they seek to distance themselves from these methods.
On the other hand, the failure to preach for conversion sometimes arises from biblical convictions. Since the church is for the gathering of believers, why should we take time away from them to tell unbelievers how to have their sins forgiven?
While I wholeheartedly agree that the Sunday sermon should primarily have God’s people in view, there is biblical precedent to aim for conversion in our preaching. Consider two examples: the Old Testament prophets and the apostle Paul.
I love the prophets. They consistently leave me in awe of God’s majesty and glory, as God is shown to be holy and sovereign and, at the same time, kind and gracious. In this they provide a masterful example of how to weave in calls for sinners to repent while still speaking words of correction, comfort, and hope to believers.
For instance, nearly all the prophets speak of impending judgment for Israel’s sin and promises of God’s future grace. Hosea pleads with Israel “to return to the LORD your God” (Hos. 14:1). In Joel, God urges the people to “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning” (Joel 2:12). Amos calls for the people to “seek the LORD and live,” (Amos 5:4) and Zechariah similarly adds, “Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you” (Zech. 1:3).
Of course, Israel is not like the church in that God’s Old Covenant people comprised both believers and unbelievers. Yet we can learn from the way the prophets addressed not only the faithful among God’s people but also those with uncircumcised hearts. God’s concern for the salvation of sinners is demonstrated by repeated calls for repentance.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses several topics pertaining to when believers “come together as a church” (1 Cor. 11:18). Here he makes an important yet often overlooked observation about these gatherings: we are to expect unbelievers to be present.
Paul knows the church is made up of those who are “in Christ” (for example, see 1 Cor. 1:2, 4), yet he makes room for the attendance of non-Christians in the weekly gathering. We see this in at least two ways. First, he speaks of “outsiders or unbelievers” entering the gathering when the “whole church comes together” (1 Cor. 14:23). These unbelievers are clearly distinguished from the church. Second, Paul desires the conversion of such people, and he speaks of how powerful it is when unbelievers see God’s people worshipping rightly. The unbeliever is “convicted” and “called to account” by those present, as “the secrets of his heart are disclosed.” Then, Paul says, “falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you” (1 Cor. 14:24–25).
While as pastors we should maintain our conviction that the church is a gathering of believers and (primarily) for believers, we should also long to see the salvation of sinners during our gatherings. These two principles are not mutually exclusive, but beautifully congruent. We should also recognize that some of our members who thought they were Christians may for the first time have their eyes opened to the gospel. The right worship of God and the right preaching of the Word are common means used by God to sovereignly bring sinners from death to life.
If you’re convinced that preaching for conversion is biblically commendable but struggle to implement this aim in your preaching, here are a few simple steps you can take.
Last summer, after weeks of begging from my kids, we finally set up a playset we were given in our backyard. Some of the wood was splintering, and unfortunately, these splinters soon found their way into my son’s hand. It was a painful experience for him, and I was reminded that though splinters may be tiny, they have a way of sticking with you!
One way to aim for conversion in our preaching is to give unbelievers little “splinters of biblical truth.” Here’s what I mean: poke them with something that will stick with them for days. This could be a question, a challenge, or simply a truth about God. Put it out there and let it burrow into their skin.
I was recently preaching through Genesis 15:7–21, and the passage says that Israel would not return from Egypt until the fourth generation because “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (v. 16). This is not the main point of the text, nor was it the main point of my sermon. But it was an encouraging reminder to Christians that God is sovereign, gracious, and just. He was showing patience with the Amorites even as he was sovereignly orchestrating Israel’s exodus from Egypt to coincide with his just punishment of the Amorites’ sin.
I also used this point to pose a question to unbelievers. While Christians take comfort in knowing God’s sovereignty and character, how do unbelievers make sense of the good and bad they see in the world? To whom do they attribute the good? How do they wrestle with the evil? And if God isn’t in control, what peace can they have amidst the chaos and suffering around them?
Probing questions like these leave little splinters under the skin. We pray that those splinters will stick with them until, by God’s grace, they are removed through regeneration and conversion.
As in most things, clarity is key. A student’s grade suffers when he doesn’t understand the assignment. An employee is frustrated when the job description is vague. So also there are consequences when we don’t clearly distinguish between believers and unbelievers in our preaching.
Many churches feel the temptation to “level the playing field.” We want people to feel welcomed and included, so we blur the line between those who are Christians and those who are not. While this may seem kind, its results can be deadly. Worse than offending unbelievers is treating them like they are believers. Instead, we must aim to help sinners see their sin and confess their need for Christ. This spiritual clarity is not cruel, but kind.
So don’t be afraid to speak directly to believers and to let unbelievers know when they are not included in what you’re saying. For example, when preaching about the promises and blessings that belong to those who are in Christ, let unbelievers know that these things are not true of them. Let them feel the weight of their sin and then tell them how things can be different through the gospel. Explain to them that God saves and changes us only by his grace (Titus 2:11).
Finally, and most importantly, we must remember to pray that sinners would be converted through our preaching and then passionately plead with them to trust in Christ.
Do you pray that way for your preaching? Do you persistently ask that God would create saving faith in their hearts as they hear the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17)? If we are preaching Christ from all of Scripture, how could we not plead with sinners to trust in him?
Brothers, you can and should preach the point of the passage and aim for conversion in the same sermon. And the gospel doesn’t have to be an appendix at the end. Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply take a moment—at a strategic point in the sermon—to look the non-Christian in the eye and passionately plead with him to leave his sin behind and put his faith in Jesus. Salvation is of the Lord, and he is pleased to save sinners through our preaching.