Why Does the Church Listen?

Even if I figure out my motivation for preaching, there needs to be a good reason for the church to listen. What do my words change? Do they come to hear some encouragement? Do they come to hear some challenge? Do they come to be condemned?

At different times in the past, different things have been true. Preaching hellfire and brimstone used to be the way to go, but now it's not very popular.

Now, the church may listen for all the wrong reasons. They may want to feel warm fuzzies in their belly and you may need to rebuke them. How do you craft a sermon that engages them to listen for warm fuzzies while still delivering the needed rebuke (with love)?

Why does the church listen?