Driscoll argued: “Preach to the people you want to have in the room, not the ones who aren’t. What this will do is put your people on alert that they need to bring those people.”

He went on to describe how he began preaching to the young, single men in Seattle before they started coming. Eventually one did. Then this guy brought others, and these others brought ‘more others.’ I’m starting to see this happen in the church I serve. Our congregation is full of biblically literate people. Some of them write the commentaries I use when I prepare my sermons! But I’ve intentionally aimed at the religious people in our community who don’t know their Bibles, don’t know Christ, and don’t accept Christianity because of objections they have. At present, the community is not flocking to our church in large numbers. But I’m starting to see an individual here and a couple there who are coming for the first time. One of our members recently overheard a newcomer to our church make this comment about us to some young couples at a community event: “This is the first place I’ve ever gone where they use the sermon to explain what the Bible says.” That’s a result of preaching to people who are not in the room.

By the way, I originally developed my conviction about this after listening to Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC. He says: “If you speak and discourse as if your whole neighborhood is present eventually more and more of your neighborhood will find their way in or be invited.”

Here’s a fair question: Does this slight the people who are in the room? No! I believe you’ll take them deeper into the heart and mind of God by using this approach. You will help long-time members understand concepts which often get assumed. You’ll also help them answer the questions and objections they get from their non-Christian friends. The truth is, long-time members harbor some of these same objections, too, but they are afraid to admit it.

So, for the glory of God and the advance of the gospel, let’s preach to people who are not in the room!