Don't skip a step in preaching

"Too often, perhaps in this generation in particular, it is easy to preach comfortable messages and avoid the discomforting but vital step of calling for repentance. Are people helped by being reassured of God’s grace without also being urged to repent? If God is a relationally jealous God, and we have been adulterous and unfaithful to Him, then is it enough to have feelings placated by assurances of His goodness? Surely a jealous lover’s goodness is little comfort to an unfaithful spouse unresponsive to the necessary conviction for sin?

"It may be harder to preach, but giving people opportunity to repent, reminder to respond, must be a necessary step in some sermons."

- Peter Mead