EXPOSITORY PREACHING

Paul exhorts us to preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2). Preaching “is the supreme work of the Christian ministry” said G. Campbell Morgan. One of the sad things today is that preaching the Word is missing in a large segment of our pulpits. Our pulpits are infiltrated with entertainment, psychology, and relativism, instead of anointed Holy Spirit preaching of the Word of God. When we do hear the Word, it is watered down with worldliness and humanism. Many times the preaching of the word is secondary to the church meeting. I was at a large church where the service was an over an hour long. In that hour we had a lot of singing, a drama skit, and a 15 minute sermon which made reference to the Bible twice. Many went out entertained, but few were edified. That is the state of affairs in many churches today.
 

I agree with Douglas White who says “preaching is primary…expository preaching is paramount” (The Excellence of Exposition, p. 16). What is expository preaching? Haddon Robinson I believe gives the best definition: “Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through him to his hearers.” (Biblical Preaching, 20).

Two ingredients are necessary for expository preaching:

1. It must be Bible centered. This does not mean it is preaching about the Bible, nor using the Bible as a textual anthology or illustration. It means that the preaching deals with Bible truth. Its aim is to explain the truth from a biblical text and context, to make plain to the hearer the meaning and to apply that meaning to their needs. It is always textual in source. The point of the message must be the natural result of truth that is drawn from the passage. Thus, the preacher must spend time with the text comprehending the meaning and application that the text offers to his people. His job is to bring out of the Scripture what is in it, and not put into the text what is not there.
2. Its aim is Biblical instruction and application. The aim of preaching is edification. However, preaching is NOT just teaching. Teaching is centered in the intellect; preaching aims at the heart and will by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Teaching is didactic in order to impart knowledge. Preaching is truth aimed at the will, calling for a reaction to the truth heard by the listener. The expository preacher must struggle to apply the Bible to his hearers. He wants them to see, feel, and act upon the truth of the passage or text. He wants to edify, not simply educate. When the truth of the passage is taught and applied to accomplish a reaction from the hearer, true expository preaching has taken place.