Results

During the coding process, three major categories emerged in relation to the preaching of the gospel emerged: (1) sharing personal testimony, (2) delivering the gospel as found in the Bible, and (3) appealing to unbelievers. These categories revolved around the core category of the transformative power of the gospel. An overview of the categories with quotes is provided in Table 1. Figure 1 presents a visual model depicting the relationships between each category in the process of preaching the gospel through ChatGPT. The sermons were observed to follow a consistent structure. The preacher would first assert that the gospel possesses the power to transform the listener’s life. Subsequently, a summary of the gospel message, supported by relevant Bible verses, would be provided. The structure and incorporation of the preacher’s personal testimony within the sermon varied depending on the type of prompt used. The sermons concluded with an appeal and invitation for unbelievers (non-Christians) to embrace Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Finally, each sermon would end with the preacher leading the listeners in a prayer.

Sharing Personal Testimony

In the opening paragraphs of their sermons, preachers would often emphasize the immense importance of the gospel message and bear witness to its global impact on numerous lives. They then propose the possibility of the gospel transforming the lives of the listeners as well. This transformed life is described as one characterized by “hope” and “love”, qualities that are highly desirable for individuals. Additionally, supernatural blessings such as “eternal life” were also frequently mentioned.
Preachers also recounted their personal experiences with the gospel and drew on comparisons between their lives before and after embracing the gospel. This serves to establish the ability and the necessity of the transformative power of the gospel. Prior to their belief in the gospel, preachers commonly describe a sense of purposelessness, loneliness, and emotional brokenness. They often depict their past lives as devoid of meaning and filled with various struggles. For instance, one preacher shared the following reflection on their past:
Growing up, I had heard about Jesus, but I didn’t fully understand the gospel until I was in college. I was struggling with feeling empty and lost in life. I felt like there had to be something more to life than just going through the motions.
Preachers would conclude their testimony by affirming that their belief in the gospel was the pivotal moment where their lives turned around for the better. Life after embracing the gospel is characterized by a sense of rebirth and the experience of a new, purposeful, peaceful, and hopeful existence. Some preachers also describe God to be an active force in their life, providing them with divine strength which helped the preachers to overcome struggles in their life.
It is important to note that in all the sermons analyzed, the personal testimony shared by the preachers focused solely on describing their lives before and after their conversion, no past story was recounted and elaborated on. Most sermons included references to the transformative power of the gospel in the lives of others which were typically located in the introductory paragraphs. However, the inclusion and style of personal testimony varied depending on the round of data collection, indicating a close connection between the input prompts used and the incorporation of personal testimony within the sermon. An overview of the placement of personal testimony within the sermon categorized by the rounds of data collection can be found in Figure 2.

Delivering the Gospel as Found in the Bible

Making up the main body of the sermon, preachers would expound upon and present the gospel message as presented in the Bible to the listeners. The primary objective of the preachers was to emphasize the necessity for the listeners to embrace the gospel, place their faith in Jesus, and experience transformation through God. Preachers typically started by explaining the issue of sin, followed by describing the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. Subsequently, they would then delve into how the listeners can attain salvation and the ensuing outcomes of salvation, often highlighting various blessings. Some preachers also addressed believers at this juncture, emphasizing the imperative of sharing the gospel. Scripture references were frequently employed to substantiate the theological aspects of the gospel message.

Sinful Humans

Preachers would commence their proclamation of the gospel by asserting the universal reality of sin and its implications for humanity’s standing before God. Preachers frequently quoted or paraphrased Romans 3:23 here to establish this biblical fact. Interestingly, most preachers did not explain or give examples of what constitutes sin. Instead, they focused on describing the effects of sin and utilized less common expressions such as “fallen short of the glory of God” to provide the listeners with a general understanding of what sin is. On rare occasions when sin was defined, it was typically portrayed as an act of disobedience to God or as a failure to meet His perfect standards. Preachers explained that sin renders humans guilty in the sight of God, making them deserving of death, often described as eternal separation from God. However, only two preachers mentioned the concept of hell in their sermons, and approximately 33% (N = 9) of preachers referred to sin as the cause of physical death in humanity.
By presenting these concepts, the preachers sought to underscore the imperative for non-Christian listeners to seek a solution to the problem of sin, as the alternative would result in perishing and experiencing eternal separation from God.

Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ

The preachers frequently presented God’s love for humanity as the underlying motivation for sending Jesus to die on the cross, thereby providing redemption for mankind. They emphasized that Jesus’ sacrificial act demonstrated God’s profound love for both the listeners and all of humanity. The preachers explained that through Jesus’ death, the penalty of sin was paid, offering salvation to anyone who believes. Notably, John 3:16 was often quoted, emerging as the most frequently cited verse in the sermons. By referencing this verse, the preachers established the gospel as the remedy for sin and a pathway to salvation for unbelievers. While Jesus as a savior was frequently mentioned or alluded to in the sermons, it is important to note that only 44% (N = 12) of the sermons explicitly claimed the gospel to be the exclusive means of salvation. Other preachers did not assert the exclusivity of the gospel message in relation to salvation.

Receiving Salvation

Preachers presented the process of receiving salvation and accepting the gospel message to involve two key actions: placing faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. All preachers emphasized the necessity of believing in Jesus to receive salvation, while the concept of repentance was elaborated on by only 44% (N = 12) of the preachers within the sermon. The topic of repentance typically emerged when the invitation to respond and believe in the gospel message was extended to the listeners. In their explanations, preachers commonly described biblical repentance as an act of turning away from sin and following the ways of God.
It is worth noting that one sermon implied that receiving salvation involves both repentance and baptism, citing Acts 2:38. However, the preacher did not explicitly state that baptism is necessary for salvation. Instead, the significance of baptism was explained, followed by urging for non-Christian listeners to place their faith in Jesus for salvation, citing Romans 10:9.
So, how do we receive this gift of salvation? In Acts 2:38, Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Repentance means turning away from our sins and turning to God. Baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Jesus and our desire to follow Him. If you haven’t yet put your faith in Jesus, I urge you to do so today. The Bible says in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Results of Salvation

The promise of eternal life emerged as the most frequently mentioned result of salvation, appearing in all sermons. The preachers emphasized that through belief in Jesus, God forgives the sins of individuals, reconciling them with himself. This meant that believers are no longer considered guilty of sin in the eyes of God and are no longer deserving of His wrath. Some preachers further expanded on the concept of believers being adopted into the family of God, emphasizing that through their faith, they become his children. This aspect of salvation highlights the potential for unbelievers to develop a close and intimate relationship with God if they choose to believe.
Preachers also commonly mentioned that believers would receive the Holy Spirit who empowers them to live a new life fully dedicated to Christ. the personal testimonies of some preachers highlighted the various spiritual blessings of this transformed life, describing it as abundant. Some preachers mentioned that living for Christ would require sacrifice on the believer’s part and described the sacrifice to be “worth it”.
The gospel is not just a one-time decision, but it is a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus Christ. As Luke 9:23 says, ”Then he said to them all: ’Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” Following Jesus may not always be easy, but it is worth it.
Another significant aspect emphasized by preachers is the responsibility of believers to share the gospel with others, bringing hope to their lives. This call to action is directed towards both existing believers and new converts, with the aim of mobilizing them to live out their faith and actively spread the message of the gospel.

Appealing to Unbelievers

To conclude the sermon, preachers would make a direct appeal to the listeners, urging them to believe in the gospel and inviting unbelievers to respond to the gospel message by repenting and placing their faith in Jesus. Spiritual blessings and the promise of eternal life are often reiterated here to appeal more to unbelievers. Following the invitation, the preacher leads the congregation in prayer, facilitating the actualization of faith and the reception of salvation. The prayer begins with expressing gratitude for the work of Jesus on the cross, followed by confessing sins and professing faith in Jesus Christ. It usually concludes with giving thanks to God and making requests for empowerment to live a life for Christ. Some preachers may also offer a benediction after the prayer, one preacher said: “May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you always. Amen.”
Throughout the entire sermon, a clear rhetorical structure is employed to appeal to non-Christian listeners and encourage them to accept the gospel message. With reference to the three classical types of Aristotelian appeal to the audience, as summarized by Virtanen & Halmari31, the preachers primarily used ethosand pathos , with pathos being the main focus. Ethoswas established through personal testimonies and the quotation of Bible scripture. The use of personal testimony makes the message more relatable to the audience and implicitly appeals to the lived experiences of the listeners creating a bond between the preacher and the listeners. This helps establish the credibility of the preacher and serves as evidence to legitimize the claims of the Bible in the eyes of non-Christian listeners. Once the credibility of the Bible is established as a divinely inspired truth, it becomes a persuasive tool for both Christian and non-Christian listeners.
The emotional appeal, or pathos, within the sermon, is evoked through the discourse, triggering emotions such as fear and excitement in the listeners. Unbelievers may experience fear when confronted with the potential consequences of their sins, including punishment and condemnation by God. This fear highlights the necessity of the gospel message. Additionally, the presentation of spiritual blessings, such as eternal life and a transformed life, elicits emotions of hope and excitement, as listeners envision the possibility of obtaining such blessings. These emotional responses drive non-Christians to accept the message and desire a transformative experience through the gospel.

Theological Comprehensiveness and Accuracy

The five key elements were analyzed and categorized into respective sub-themes to assess the comprehensiveness of each sermon. The findings revealed that approximately 78% (N = 21) of the sermons incorporated all five key elements. Every sermon included all key elements except “A promise of forgiveness and eternal life”, where some preachers omitted the promise of forgiveness. A summary of the analysis can be found in Table 2. All verses found within the sermons were determined to have been quoted verbatim from the Bible albeit using different Bible translations. Theological points raised by the preachers were consistent with evangelical doctrine of the gospel such as the teachings of substitutionary atonement and salvation by faith alone32.