During the month of January, I read two insighful books on Expository Preaching. And again, I was reminded of why I believe every pulpit—here and abroad—should be devoted to Expository Preaching.
I know there are dry expositors. But don’t dismiss the whole enterprise because of the dry among us.
Of course there are times when we should do Textual and Topical, but we should never get too comfortable with them.
I continue to sit at the feet of expositors like Greg Boyd, John Piper, John MacArthur, and Steven J. Lawson.
TC,
In my opinion, expository preaching/teaching is the only way to go. I use that method of teaching in my Sunday School class (looking at Nehemiah right now). It is so much better than picking and choosing topics and it is so much more educational. I also believe that expository preaching/teaching sets a good example for those who sit under our teaching. They see use taking the Word of God seriously and treating it carefully. I believe that rubs off on people. There are times when topical preaching/teaching is a “must”. Some subjects are not dealt with in one Book of the Bible, but are spread out over several Books. My pastor usually does expository preaching as well. Right now we are in Matthew and have been there for some time. He breaks away from time to time to do topic messages/series, but he always comes back to the verse by verse study of God’s Word.
Martin.
I love exposition! Granted – some are bad at it, but some are just AWESOME (Piper, MacArthur and Lawson are in my top five). There is nothing like taking a passage of Scripture, expounding its truth and allowing the Spirit to work on your own heart through the truths you heard. Somethings like what the Puritans used to say about “logic on fire”.
Expository Preaching is the way to go.
If it sounds like something Dr. Phil would say, it’s NOT preaching.
I put both of those on my current book order. Thanks TC!
Chuckling at Stan’s, “If it sounds like something Dr. Phil would say, it’s NOT preaching.”
Amen Brother!
Expository preaching? bleh.
I’d rather have a good topical sermon any day!
Read through a commentary if you want something expository. ; )
Seriously though (although I was being serious), what’s the big deal about expository preaching? If you were to try to convince me that expository preaching was the way to go how would you do it? Would you be able to use the Bible to justify your position (not that I necessarily think you have to)?
Bryan L
Martin, that’s my approach too. I believe it helps our people to appreciate the text of Scripture more.
Douglas, the work of the Spirit becomes central to this approach, indeed.
I believe that is the reason for the aversion to the practice.
Stan is invoking Dr. Phil. What is our world coming to?
Bitsy, I love to recommend books that I think are helpful.
Bryan L, expository preaching is simply explaining the text of Scripture from a historical, grammatical, and cultural standpoint.
It’s moving from what the text originally meant to its present day application.
It’s letting the text inform our conclusions, and not the other way around.
It’s taking the book of Ephesians and wrestling with it to discover how its first readers read and understood it.
How do you do expository preaching—specifically in regards to the application? Do you go along and give a bunch of different applications as you go through your verses or do you take one general application from the passage that you want to drive home?
If it’s the latter then it’s basically a topical sermon but using one proof text. And if you try to pull in other texts to support your reading and application of the passage then it’s a topical sermon that just happens to highlight one passage a bit more than others. Is it not?
If you’re just going through and pulling out a bunch of different applications as you go through the verses then that seems like somewhat of a buck shot sermon that never really hits anyone that deep.
Why not leave the going through the books of the Bible slowly, piece by piece, for Sunday School or Bible study and have some good topical preaching on Sundays instead? : )
I wonder though, can you think of the sermons that have impacted you the most over the years? What was it about them? Was it that you learned some interesting historical details, or some grammatical details? Was it a particular application o even illustration? Do you even remember the whole sermon, the details, or do you just remember a particular point or two that hit home to you and perhaps even changed your life?
Bryan L
I used to listen to topical sermons but found expository sermons the best for learning in a biblical way. I’ve gone expository all the way in all my sermons and find that people enjoy it…or atleast I think they do. I feel that too many have short changed expository preaching.
btw…I love John Piper’s sermons.
Sitting under the preaching of RC Sproul has been very edifying for the past number of years.
<How do you do expository preaching—specifically in regards to the application? Do you go along and give a bunch of different applications as you go through your verses or do you take one general application from the passage that you want to drive home?
Bryan L, when you really think about, not much have changed in regard to our humanity.
Not even detail of a text finds a modern day correspondence.
If it’s the latter then it’s basically a topical sermon but using one proof text. And if you try to pull in other texts to support your reading and application of the passage then it’s a topical sermon that just happens to highlight one passage a bit more than others. Is it not?
If I’m working my way through the book of Ephesians, How does that become just another topical sermonic approach?
If you’re just going through and pulling out a bunch of different applications as you go through the verses then that seems like somewhat of a buck shot sermon that never really hits anyone that deep.
I thought you followed the preaching ministrty of Grey Boyd? Is that the feeling you get?
Why not leave the going through the books of the Bible slowly, piece by piece, for Sunday School or Bible study and have some good topical preaching on Sundays instead? : )
There’s a place for topical preaching, esp. on the great doctrines of the Bible.
I wonder though, can you think of the sermons that have impacted you the most over the years? What was it about them? Was it that you learned some interesting historical details, or some grammatical details? Was it a particular application o even illustration? Do you even remember the whole sermon, the details, or do you just remember a particular point or two that hit home to you and perhaps even changed your life?
They’ve mostly been expository preaching. The ministries that have really impacted me have come from great expositors of Scripture. Now I’m speaking from my own experience.
Kevin, yes, we need to give expository preaching a chance. And we need to teach our people how to appreciate the enterprise of it. There’s a good way of doing it.
Stan, RC hangs around the likes of MacArthur and Piper.
I use the Lectionary but in an expository way!
“Logic on fire”. I like that. A concept associated with Lloyd Jones. What can be more powerful and life changing than the perfect logic of Scripture explained by one in whom it burns by the power of the Spirit .
I have always valued a balanced diet of preaching. I value the analysis of a passage, both on its own and in a series working through a book or a run of chapters. I have appreciated the exposition of a single verse or phrase – something of which Spurgeon was a renowned master and inspiration. And a topical approach will help us apply God’s Word to the issues we face each day. To draw on John Stott, it encourages us to “think Christianly” about the world in which we live.
And ultimately, all preaching must be wholly Scriptural. Motivated by and grounded solely in Scripture.
Yup, it was an exposition of Ps 19:7-13 on the Sufficiency of Scripture that ROCKED my worldview – and I like it rocked from time to time! I like topical sermons – but it just doesn’t minister to me like an exposition of Scripture. For me personally, it’s food for my soul. But that’s just me.
I would agree with Colin. As long as the preaching is scriptural then it’s alright.
TC:
I don’t really follow Greg Boyd’s sermons that much anymore (I used to do so more a few years ago). Sometimes I listen to them (I haven’t in at least a month if not more. Generally they are based on whatever verse he’s on in Luke and it’s one particular point that it’s focused on. It’s basically topical but using one main verse. I know sometimes he does topical too, at least he did in the past and I benefited greatly from those.
BTW I was wondering about specific sermons that you remember. Can you think of specific sermons you heard that made a big impact on you? I think it’s generally some application or truth that we learn from those sermons that make the biggest difference on us. Which makes me wonder, does it matter how you get there or what route you take? I mean if you can get there by an expository sermon or from a topical sermon that is scriptural then what’s the difference? The same outcome is reached.
Bryan L
Jerry B, the lectionary?
And ultimately, all preaching must be wholly Scriptural. Motivated by and grounded solely in Scripture.
“Logic on fire” makes for an interesting expositor, not a dry one.
Bryan L, Boyd refers to his treatment of Luke as expository preaching, not topical. You might want to consult him on that one.
The sermons are too many to remember. But here’s one: A Church to be Thankful for by Steven J. Lawson. It was an expository treatment of Col 1:3-14.
From personal experience, the expository approach has been the most rewarding.
“that’s my approach too. I believe it helps our people to appreciate the text of Scripture more”
TC,
Certainly and I think it shows them a deep respect for the Word of God. I’m not saying topical is not respectful, it can be, just that the more detailed approach shows them that I believe every verse is important. Sometimes seeing a Sunday School teacher go verse by verse has a major impact.
Thanks
Martin.
I’d like to recommend Dr. John MacArthur’s two-part look at The Consequences of Non-expositional Preaching:
Part 1
Part 2
I do believe that topical and textual preaching at times can be beneficial, but I truly, truly believe, as one who grew up under endless topical sermons, that this understanding of preaching truly (I think that’s my third time saying the truly LOL) is what we need nowadays. Like my pastor says, “The soul cannot respond to what the mind has not received”.
You know the church calendar; Advent, Lent, Palm Sunday, Easter, Revised Common Lectionary
I just did what I consider an expositional series through 1 John.
I think expositonal preaching should be the meat and potates of the congregation’s diet – but along with that we need fruit and viggies too, perhaps those are th texual and topical sermons?
I just did what I consider an expositional series through 1 John.
I think expositonal preaching should be the meat and potates of the congregation’s diet – but along with that we need fruit and veggies too, perhaps those are th texual and topical sermons?
Martin, there’s indeed a proper and rewarding way to do the exposition of Scripture.
Douglas, thanks for the links. I’ll have to give them a listen.
Jerry B, I got you.
Brian, What if they are all vegetarians or mostly vegetarians?
then they need to learn to eat meat and potatos.
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Check out Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers and the discussion here.
Lectionary preaching is the best, because it prevents clergy from pandering to their own theological biases. In terms of preaching styles, expository and other, the text can often be a clue as to which form the preaching takes. Preachers can become too dry and stale if they are content with only one genre.
Dim, lection preaching is better than working through a book of the Bible?
Are you saying then that these lectionaries are devoid of their own theological biases?
The Bible itself rich is genre.
I do believe that good preaching is expository preaching – a clear exposition of the Scriptures.