Ep2. When Preaching Is Not Expository! Web V

When Preaching is NOT Expository! * PCJB PP Presentation devised and prepared at Gujranwala Theological Seminary may be copied for non-commercial use only March 2005 Revised Nov 2009

Why PowerPoint?  Clarity

of outline

Central formatting Use few words per frame

One unit of thought to each line  Ease

of editing / manipulating text  Force

of impact

This Presentation…  Is

prepared for use in the classroom (using

a multimedia projector beamed onto a white wall or screen; or a wide screen monitor for small groups (2-10))  Can

be easily adapted by the teacher  Allows for class interaction with the text (using the edit mode for class suggestions, e.g. for “best” lay out of the Scripture text)

Preliminary Exercise In small groups (of 3 or 4) compile a definition of what you understand as

an expository sermon. Minority definitions may be prepared also!

Expository preaching: Some Misconceptions Expository preaching Is not: a dry-as-dust presentation of academic biblical truth!  a recitation of facts, verb tenses and the definition of terms!  a dreary, rambling, shallow verse-by verse commentary!  a collection of the preacher’s own thoughts developed from a theme taken from a biblical text! 

Forms of Bible-Based Preaching

3 Forms of Bible-Based Preaching A

TOPICAL sermon

The text used just to introduce the topic  All else developed according to the topic 

A

TEXTUAL sermon

A main point coming out of the text  Development components from elsewhere 

 An

EXPOSITORY sermon

The text dictates the main point  Development components from the text alone 

A Tendency to Avoid (in Textual or Topical Sermons):

The sermon may reflect too much what the preacher thinks rather than what the writer intended or what God is saying!

What is Expository preaching? Expository preaching exposes the message that God has for His people in any given section of His written Word. It seeks to enable its listeners to hear God speaking to them through Scripture now.

What is Good Expository Preaching? A good expositor  says only what the Holy Spirit has said in the text (without adding other ideas)  explains it so that it makes sense to the listeners as they see that sense developing even as the preacher is explaining the text This is quite different from  just talking about various points taken from the passage that have caught the preacher’s attention!

What is NOT Expository Preaching? “One of the biggest problems I have with younger preachers I am called on to critique is that

they fail to quote the texts that support the points they are making. It makes me wonder if they have been taught to

‘get the drift of a text and then talk for 30 minutes in your own words’…

What is NOT Expository Preaching? …The effect of this kind of preaching is to leave people groping for the Word of God and wondering whether what the preacher has said is really in the Bible.” (- John Piper)

Expository Preaching What it is NOT: A

running commentary on a Biblical text

A

stand-alone study of a text that ignores the rest of Scripture

A

way of gathering proof-texts to support a pre-established idea or teaching

Forms of Expository Preaching

Expository Preaching Preaching whose “content and structure demonstrably reflect what Scripture says, and honestly seek to elucidate it. . . .” Essential mark of expository preaching: “Its subject matter emerges directly and demonstrably from Scripture.” * * D.A. Carson, “The SBTJ Forum: Profiles of Expository Preaching,” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 3, no.2 (Summer 1999): 95.

Expository Preaching: Selection & Form Takes many forms:  Systematic

preaching through a book e.g. Job, Amos, Ephesians

 Topical

series expounding different passages e.g. on temptations of Eve, Joseph, Jesus expounded in an expository way.



Selection is according to a topic (temptation)

but 

treatment of each passage is expository.

Expository Preaching: Length & Style Covers various lengths of text:  According

to different literary genres in Scripture: Scripture Historical Narrative may cover more text than a Gospel Parable. Proverbs from the OT and a passage from a letter of Paul will need different treatments.

 According

to custom of the times / style of the preacher: preacher e.g. Romans 1-8 in 8 sermons, or 8 years’ preaching!

Expository Preaching: Its Essential Elements* The message of a Bible Exposition is sourced from Scripture alone and is extracted from Scripture through careful exegesis. Its preparation correctly interprets Scripture in its normal sense and context. The message clearly explains the original God-intended meaning of Scripture. and applies that Scriptural meaning for today. * Source: Richard L. Mayhue

Expository Preaching may be:  Sequential



(taking each point as it occurs in the text)

Example: Martin Lloyd-Jones Or:

 Logical 

– (following the truth of the text rather than its pattern / order)

Example: John Stott

Expository Preaching: The Logical Form may follow one of various ‘game-plans’:  Problem

stated > solution uncovered – show how the text  portrays

the problem  provides a solution  Need

identified > plan outlined – show how the text speaks of a

human need  a plan to provide a solution  Plan

outlined > motivation provided

Expository Preaching: Logical Form The IDEAS – Their SOURCE Note:  All these ideas must come from the text 

though we may supplement them with reference to other texts that confirm their truth

 This 

God’s Word has said it – not just the preacher’s informed opinion!

 We 

gives them their authority

must show why we follow this order

to reassure our listeners that we are keeping to the message of the text

Expository Preaching: The personal need for Prayer 

A sense of utter futility unless God’s Spirit does the work. “I came to you in weakness and fear, with much trembling” (- Paul, 1 Cor 2:39) “All genuine preaching is rooted in a feeling of desperation” (- John Piper) “If there is any brother here who thinks he can preach as well as he should, I would advise him to leave off altogether.” (- Spurgeon)

Expository Preaching: The spiritual power of Prayer All preaching that is anointed by the Holy Spirit is prayerful preaching. Its power comes from: 1. 2. 3.

Praying for God to speak first to you the preacher Confidence in His promise to be your strength in preparation and delivery Praying for His Spirit to guide your preparation and preaching.

Without such anointing God’s Word cannot be exposed!

Expository Preaching: The resulting assurance of authority 

A strong awareness of divine authority and of your being God’s voice to His people indicated by:   

A holy hush among the listeners Spontaneous feeling in your voice Occasional promptings during delivery to make a mid-course correction! “Reporting something God spontaneously brings to mind” (- Wayne Grudem)

Expository Preaching: The dynamic effect of Prayer

“Truth on fire…” “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might rest not on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (- Paul, 1 Cor 2:4-5)

Expository Preaching: The essential task

Exposing God’s truth about Jesus Christ in the power of His Spirit = “Truth on fire!”

Other Forms of Preaching that are Not Expository

Doctrinal preaching is not Expository preaching. Expounding a doctrine may examine many biblical texts and look at how it has been understood in the history of the Church, rather than simply expounding a single passage.

Thematic preaching is not expository preaching. Thematic preaching is based on a recurring subject found in Scripture. It may well go to various Scriptural texts for its material.

Thematic preaching It may well go to various Scriptural texts for its material. But it will not be constrained by the nature, theme and contents of one passage.

Narrative preaching is not Expository preaching Narrative preaching retells a story (historical or personal) found in the Bible and teaches the truths it demonstrates and the lessons that can be learnt from it

Narrative preaching Its focus is upon a story it has to tell, rather than upon a text it has to expose. Note: Narrative and expository preaching can sometimes be combined where the story is short as in a parable

Topical preaching is not Expository preaching. Topical preaching can refer to two things: 1. Like thematic preaching it may refer to a treatment of a biblical subject, looking at several passages, but only to support the topic, or subject, being discussed. (Already discussed in Frames 4 & 5)

Topical preaching 2.

It may be topical in the sense of treating a contemporary subject that is “in the news” and searching Scripture for light and guidance upon the subject or issue. This is its usual sense.

Apologetic preaching is not expository preaching.

Apologetic preaching is the defence of a key Scriptural truth and will refer to many biblical passages,

Apologetic preaching It expounds many individual texts with the purpose of making clear an argument, rather than expounding a passage.

Choosing What to Preach: Selecting the Text… The Preacher may:  Follow the church lectionary – ensures balanced doctrinal coverage over the year.  Work through a biblical book for a teaching series on the Bible  Try to meet a perceived pastoral need in the congregation.  Address a social / contemporary issue  Speak to a special occasion  Speak as “led”!

For discussion When would it be appropriate to preach a) A doctrinal sermon? b) A thematic sermon? c) A narrative sermon? d) A topical sermon? What kind of congregation would best benefit from the above? (Consider each type in turn)

Evangelistic preaching is not Expository preaching.

Its sole purpose is to convict sinners and present the claims of Christ by any means (though it may expound a passage in the process)

Expository Preaching NOTE: Expository preaching is not simply commenting on every verse in a passage in turn. Rather it involves exposing the central message of a passage and expounding its implications for today.

Expository Preaching gains its authority from the text itself by allowing listeners to see that the source of its message is God Himself who speaks directly to the listener through the preacher’s elucidation of His written Word

For discussion… Of what kind of preaching might the following be considered an example?

An ancient commentary on

Jesus meeting with the woman of Samaria

The Woman of Samaria: “Jesus came to the fountain as a hunter.… He threw a grain before one pigeon that he might catch the whole flock.…

The Woman of Samaria: “At the beginning of the conversation he did not make himself known to her, but first she caught sight of a thirsty man, then a Jew, then a Rabbi, afterwards a prophet, last of all the Messiah.

The Woman: She tried to get the better of the thirsty man, she showed dislike of the Jew, she heckled the Rabbi, she was swept off her feet by the prophet, and she adored the Christ.” Ephraem the Syrian

The End

Acknowledgements This presentation is developed from ideas taken from the following: Rev. .Bryan Chapell (internet article) Very Rev. Allan Main (in private conversation)