What must happen before a sinner cries out to God for salvation?
Before a sinner cries out to God for salvation, they must come to the realization that they are in need. The context teaches that a person has to reach the place of recognizing their need; then they cry out, and God responds immediately to save.
Les explains that the person must come to the place of realizing they are in need. He uses the analogy of a swimming pool full of kids; a lifeguard's trained ear hears a feeble cry for help even when others don't notice. Likewise, when God hears a sinner in need of salvation, He is immediately there to save. The sinner cries out on the basis that Christ died and rose from the dead, and God responds.