Two Unbreakable Rules for Expositional Preaching
According to them, expository preaching can be too irrelevant for today’s audience. Who “they”For me the biggest question remains, at least to this point. Rick McDaniel explained, however that American society has changed over the past 30 years from being a Christian culture to one that is secular. McDaniel noted that most Americans are not familiar with biblical characters and stories. McDaniel is correct. I don’t see any reason to doubt his assertion. Haddon Robinson also stated that McDaniel’s recent critiques of modern preaching included statements like “too much analysis and too little answer”Or “too impersonal, too propositional — they relate nothing to life.”Modern-day preachers must be able to apply the Bible text to an ignorant society while simultaneously demonstrating its relevance. These truths have led me to believe that two fundamental rules must be followed if a preacher/teacher is to make a connection with his or her contemporary audience.
Always be faithful to the Bible
Uncompromisingly Biblical is the first rule. The first lecture in exposition class always begins with an explanation of the 2 rules for preaching. This is something that many of my students find difficult to believe. My analogy is the fast-food meal. Most of my clients wouldn’t consider eating at McDonald’s, driving to Burger King for fries and Arby’s around the corner, before going on to Wendy’s to get a Frosty. Every restaurant offers enough fast food options on its respective menus that it can satisfy any day’s hunger. Of course, the vast majority of the students would agree that such a way to eat lunch is absurd (though there are usually some wise guys who say he does it routinely).
Then I explain to my students that such an approach might be absurd for lunch, but it is equally ridiculous for a preacher preparing a sermon or a teacher teaching a Bible class. When the students get confused by what I am saying, I tell them that many preachers/teachers bounce around their audience from passage to paragraph or text to text as they present a subjectal message. “love,” “faith,” “child-rearing,”Or something else.
These are because “preachers”Instead of allowing one biblical text to be the topic matter, the subjects are required to search the Bible for texts which support them. Walter Kaiser said, humourously, that every preacher should deliver a timely sermon at least once every five year and immediately apologize for it. In my quote of Kaiser, I do have a little tongue in cheek. Both he and I both readily admit that pure biblical exposition in our opinion is the best and most effective form of biblical communication.
My students initially rejected the idea that “Bible-bouncing”It is considered taboo. This is because their entire lives have revolved around this kind of preaching. They attempt to be preachers in vain. “make the Bible relevant”Many have adopted this style to fit the current culture. “pick and choose” approach. The preachers choose subjects they believe are possible. “Bible-ized.”People often turn to the Bible to learn about spiritual lessons and to discuss specific subjects. It is obvious that they would not accept anything less. “irrelevant.”Jim Shaddix correctly noted that “… preaching should not be driven by a preference, a program, or even a purpose, especially that of answering all the questions people ask. Instead preaching should be driven by a passion for the glory of God, a passion jointly possessed by both pastor and people.”It’s a wonderful idea. It is important for preachers to realize that ministry and church are not about their congregation’s daily struggles, but rather the Lord Jesus Christ and His plans for the world.
Do you want to really upset me? Then swing by and tap one at my home. “New Community Church”Flyers to my mailbox These flyers are almost identical and insulting to all churches. Designers and authors of these flyers believe they want to reach the under-reach segment of the community. “real”People face many issues. Statements such as “No denominational affiliation,” “no rigidity, but a relaxed, casual environment,”And (my personal favourite) “meaningful and relevant messages”They actually denigrate all churches. It is a mystery to me if these church planters ever consider that they are exalted with the implications of their actions. “we do it right!”It seems that the people don’t realise that they have disrespected and reduced ministries of churches which have been around for years in their area.
Thank you for understanding. Please understand. “New Community”They think so. They are trying to reach the unchurched. It is a good thing. They don’t intend to offend any pastor or church. Their motives are good. It makes sense to assume that their intentions are good. “meaningful and relevant messages”That they infer that the messages of other churches do not have meaning or relevance? These are the kind of messages I would love to receive. “New Community”Leaders of the church”relevanteers”(as I call them) to lunch with me and ask these questions:
• Where and how do they learn to make God’s life-transforming Word relevant?
• When and how did they determine that God actually needed them to rescue His Word that has never returned void in any century or culture in which it was heralded as the absolute truth and message of God?
• What is the measuring rod of success in relevance?
• How do they know that their approach is indeed working?
• Do they determine their success because people seem to be listening and are continuing to attend services each week?
• Do they assume effective relevance because people keep saying that they “sure do like this kind of preaching better than what I used to hear”?
• Are these actions and comments the instruments of measure that God has given?
• When Paul prayed for his churches with the following kind of prayer, was he actually thinking in terms of the daily life issues people face?
“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”
When these flyers arrive in my mailbox, I have many questions. This is the deal. Many churches I’ve preached in, or given speeches, include traditional, contemporary and blended ones. I have given sermons in churches where there was no distinction between the different ethnicities of the members. I’ve preached in churches with hundreds of elder members, and congregations that had dominantly black members. “thirty-somethings.”
Sometimes I’ve proclaimed God’s truths wearing jeans and tennis shoes. Some places I have worn the most expensive business suits. It doesn’t matter what size church you are, how dressed up your worship, or the makeup of your congregation, it has all been predictable. Jesus-loving people hunger for God’s truth and are able to respond in the right way. Period. And, yes. Even many non-converted people respond positively.
My preaching is purely expository. The people are centered on one passage of the Bible. I explain its meaning to them as clearly as possible and then leave it up to Jesus. Numerous postmodern investigators have told me that expository preaching is not compatible with this culture. Although there might be some exceptions to this, my experience has shown that most people can understand the message I give regarding God’s word through the pulpit. On many occasions it was the tattooed and pierced. “rebels”The culture that has paid me the greatest (and most meaningful!) compliment. “I have never heard the Bible presented that way. That was awesome.”You will be amazed at how much they know. They are even more impressed by the Word of God than I am with my presentation.
Cultures and peoples throughout history have changed, revolted, adapt, failed to adapt, etc. However, the history of preaching has shown that every time God’s Word was preached to such groups, spiritual revival has occurred. Communication methodology is important. Methodology in communication should be understood and mastered. The message of the teacher/preacher is far more important than our method for communicating it.
I will close this thought with a difficult truth. This truth is something I constantly share with students, and other settings in which I teach on biblical exposition. It is not boring to preach or teach expository doctrine/teaching. Expository preaching or teaching can be understood by people of all ages and cultures if presented in a creative way. This is the second rule that preaching cannot be broken.
Make sure to be unquestionably interesting!
You have been called by God to proclaim or teach His Word. I have interesting news for you. Ready? This is it. You are now in trouble! This is what I’m referring to: You don’t belong anymore “normal.”You now see the Bible differently than most people. The Bible is filled with things that you and I are more interested than the average congregant of a church. We tend to believe that because we are so fascinated by this information, the other members of the congregation will also find it interesting.
It is my conviction that preaching and teaching doesn’t resonate with modern audiences (let’s just call it boring). There is something wrong. I will illustrate. Most Bible teachers and pastors, upon encountering Isaiah 6 they become enthralled with all aspects of it. This phrase: “In the year that King Uzziah died”The year becomes filled with wonder. The year is so fascinating to them that they read it endlessly. They feel that it’s imperative for them to tell their congregation about their findings about this fascinating year because of their excitement. The congregants will likely be equally excited, they believe. For non-boring teaching and preaching, you need to remember that there is something wrong. Your life is not normal.!
These preacher/teachers, continuing in Isaiah 6, then conduct an extensive study on the Seraphims’ characteristics and their differences from other angelic beings. They do it as though the “normal”They actually do care. This is how they become so infatuated with each other when sharing their faith. “life-altering?”When sharing information with their congregations, they rarely look up from the notes to see it. “deer in the headlights”The listeners’ faces are expressive
We must not be devoted to preaching on the topic, but we should challenge ourselves to think in a way that is as original as possible. It is important to understand context and background information when preparing sermons and Bible studies. The difference between a lively sermon and an uninteresting lecture on the Bible can be made by how much we include in our messages. Creative exposition is therefore key.
This will be covered in more detail later. For now, let me emphasize that the teacher/preacher should never (or very rarely) start the message by adding comments about the context and background. These vital details should be included naturally and casually in the introduction. First, we must grab the attention of the listeners using creative methods before moving on to the actual exposition.
The Final Introduction
This is what I’m NOT saying
This book will be a guideline for expository preaching. You’ll feel that this discipline is my absolute commitment after reading the book. You should know, however that not all of my statements are true. It is crucial that you have a basic understanding of these thoughts.
I don’t say…
1. Topical sermons should never be written. Although this book is primarily expositional, there are occasions when topical approaches can be meaningful or even essential. I will make the point that the exception should not be made of topical messages in this book.
The truth is that I don’t say…
2. Bible-Bouncing is when a preacher or Bible teacher moves beyond the Bible to create sermon points and support a topical sermon. This is unpardonable. I will argue that it is more common to do this because of our conditioning than to understand the benefits of an expositional approach. The reader is asked to answer the following question: “Is a topical approach absolutely necessary to convey the idea?”The majority of cases will give you the right answer. “probably not.”
It is not what I’m saying.
3. God can’t use the topical approach in order to achieve His purposes. The God Who Can Cause the “rocks to cry out” if necessary. God does not require any particular communication method simply because He’s God. Topical messages have blessed me personally. However, my point is that Christians would be (and have already been) encouraged and transformed by the Word.
I don’t say…
4. I’m sure you will agree. It is my hope that you will. You can trust me. My belief is that God’s future church will depend on its congregations understanding His Word at their core. Topical preaching addresses the specific needs of people. The purpose of expository preaching to me is for GOD to speak through His selected and chosen communicators. He wants them all express His will, heart and purposes. This belief is important, but I know that it’s not enough. I have tried to convince you, so please be assured, I do understand some things. Yesterday, I didn’t fall from the turnip truck. You don’t need to agree with me. It is a joy that my students agree to take my classes. It is my hope that you will also be among them.
I don’t say…
5. The only approach that works is described here. Many good techniques can be used to prepare expository sermons. This book outlines an easy-to-learn method that will be foundational for all other types of preaching, expository and not. The Homiletical Bridge is an expository rhetorical model that I recommend to my readers. After mastering it, you will discover other ways and techniques will make sense. It is important to have a library of sermons for preachers who are serious about learning. A preacher can use homiletical materials related to exegesis and narrative preaching as an aid in their study of the topic.
This book is intended to help you achieve the glory of God. All about Him. These are two obvious truths that preachers/teachers should remember:
It doesn’t matter if something appears spiritual or biblical.
AND
It doesn’t matter what it is “will preach,”It doesn’t have to!