Know Your Audience
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Two mistakes are commonly made in our pulpits. The first is giving Christians too much of the gospel . . . the second is giving lost people too much theology.
Christians don’t grow if they only hear about the cross and the resurrection in our preaching.
Expositional teaching in sound theology will help the saints grow strong—especially when they are struggling with life. Practical theology reminds us that God has chosen us for salvation and for a life of obedience and good deeds—and that we are secure in the family of God. The Lord will never abandon His own.
Lost people, on the other hand, don’t need the deep subjects of theology. They need, first and foremost,
- The plain truth about their sin
- Their Savior
- The faith that can set them free
My point?
We preachers need to know our audience . . . and then give them what they need.
Copyright © 2025 by Insight for Living and Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide.
About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.
