Two ignored aspects of crafting a sermon

Did I get your attention?
As someone who listens to lots of sermons, sometimes too many, and who listens to sermons from various theological persuasions, I have noticed what separates the sermons that really hit you from the sermons that make you say, "he made some good points."
It's not illustrations, though they are important.
It's not introductions, even though many times we can blow a sermon with a bad introduction.
I think two ignored areas that we often don't think of are application and conclusion.

Why do I bring those up today?
Lately in some sermons that I have listened to, the one preaching has made the arguments necessary to prove his points, but still leaves you hanging. It's like getting tools to fix a car, but no instruction manual that tells you how or where to use them.
I know from experience that coming up with application is difficult, but too often we can leave a congregation hanging. We may make great points about the Holy Spirit's help in time of trouble, or relying upon God in a difficult time, but when we do not give any specifics and speak in generalities, we can leave people in a place of confusion and wondering how they become this "mighty person of faith." We can give lofty goals on how the Christian should live, but without a good application, there is only defeat.
We must remember to keep our sermons fresh and our applications relevent. I think that's the hardest thing to do. The more I prepare and deliver sermons, the more I must scrutinize this area. So what if I tell the congregation about the beauty of God's love. That has no meaning until I show them areas in their life where they can see this, experience this, and rely on it. Then I need to think of specific situations......the avalanche then begins. Ideas....life....application. It's beautiful.

Secondly, and this is a hard one when you're in the puplit, never say "In closing"....you would not believe how many Bibles shut and how many sets of keys come out of purses. And yes, this happens at good Bible believing churches too. (even retirement centers) When you say, a catch phrase such as that, people stop listening and start thinking about lunch, the closing hymn, the benediction, what the Cardinals score will be when you get home, and so on and so on.
Build a climactic point to spiral down to the conclusion. We never read good books and see "in conclusion to my thrilling mystery".

In closing...just kidding.
These were merely thoughts in my head which are the result of about 8 sermons I have delivered in the past 5 weeks and listening to too many sermons on the radio and internet.