PILLARS OF EXPOSITORY PREACHING

We are to preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2). If we are to preach the Word and be an expositor of the Word, then there are some important principles we must understand. Expository preaching does not just happen. It must be supported by four things:

1. Theology. Understanding (as much as we can), God is fundamental. If we do not understand who God is and how He works, then we will miss the mark in our preaching. We must understand the importance of God and how He reveals Himself if we are to show our people God in our preaching. We must understand that the Word we preach is in God’s plan of His self revelation.
2. Hermeneutics. This is the art and science of understanding the interpretation or explanation of the text. This is not unique to the Scriptures. All documents must be interpreted. However, in interpreting a document one must not go beyond its meaning, or distort the meaning. Thus, it is vital that we understand and interpret the text that we are preaching. Hermeneutics aims at understanding what was spoken, whom it was spoken to, and why it was spoken.
3. Exegesis. Hermeneutics stands or falls on exegesis. Exegesis is the discovery of the meaning of the phrase or text to the original readers. The purpose is to understand the meaning to those living at the time it was written or spoken. It is letting the original author or speaker speak to you in his setting. Mickelsen says a good exegete is “not a spectator who merely tries to report flawlessly what actually happened. He is a participant who enters into what happened or was originally thought so that he can help his contemporary generation enter into the experience and thought of the original writer and readers or hearers.” [Interpreting the Bible, 57].
4. Application. Most preachers are good on application, but not necessarily on exegesis. That can cause a problem. Because most who do not use in full or part the other pillars, can easily misapply the Bible. Application is applying the timeless word to present needs. An example of this may be applying the words “thou shalt not kill” to war, neglecting the fact that God used war throughout history to further his plan. If you do not get the other pillars right, then your application will not be right. Thus, application is misapplied because of the neglect of some of the pillars that exposition stands upon.

This means true expository preaching is work, but it is well worth the effort.