1. It converts the sinner so that God’s glory is supremely manifested in his/her salvation.
2. It encourages the regenerate to grow in their faith.
3. It equips the saved to evangelize, walk in holiness, and grow in sanctification.
4. It reminds believers of the sovereignty of God and the salvation He has given.
5. It confronts believers living in sin to repent, change, and begin to walk in newness of life.
6. It comes across as foolishness to the unredeemed sinner who walks away from the gospel unchanged.
7. It further hardens the reprobate so that God’s glory is supremely manifested in his/her judgment.
8. It takes the hardened sinner to the point where he is “beyond redemption” and is an apostate.
The point is this: the preacher doesn’t know what God is sovereignly doing with each person in the audience at that particular time. But one thing is for certain: God is working and His Word never returns void.
Isaiah 55:11 — So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
