VI. THEOLOGICALLY-PRECISE
EVERY TEXT FITS WITHIN THE LARGER CONTEXT OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE. THE EXPOSITOR MUST BE A THEOLOGIAN. ALL OF SCRIPTURE MUST BE BROUGHT TO BEAR ON A GIVEN TEXT. THIS MUST BE DONE WITHOUT ABANDONING THE PRIMARY TEXT.
A. Exposition Is Grounded in Biblical Theology
1. Same Book
2. Same Author
3. Same Genre
4. Same Testament
B. Exposition Is Grounded in Systematic Theology
1. Bibliology
What the Bible teaches about itself.
2. Theology Proper
The study of God, attributes, names, trinity.
3. Christology
The person of Christ, incarnation, hypostatic union, obedience, substitutionary death.
4. Pneumatology
The doctrine of the Holy Spirit.
5. Angelology
Angels.
6. Anthropology
Man.
7. Harmartiology
Sin, depravity, the fall.
8. Soterology
The doctrine of salvation, the order of salvation.
9. Ecclesiology
The nature of the church.
10. Eschatology
The last things.
Give theology in condensed form, easy to retain. Cite the passages. Preaching is theology on fire. A theology which does not catch fire is a defective theology. Preaching must always be theological, not practical. Never let the patient write the prescription.
Why theological preaching has declined:
1) laziness of the preacher;
2) the love of popularity;
3) superficial evangelism.
C. Exposition Is Sharpened by Historical Theology
1. Church Fathers
2. Medieval Period
3. Pre-Reformation
4. Reformation
5. Puritan Age
6. Evangelical Revival
7. Modern Church
VII. LOGICALLY-ORDERED
NOT A RANDOM COLLECTION OF WORD STUDIES AND COMMENTARIES. STRUCTURED DEVELOPMENT OF THOUGHT.
A. Exposition Is Reasonably Coherent
1. Introduction
2. Central Theme
A laser beam which runs through the entirety of the sermon. All points hang on the central theme.
3. Main Headings
4. Subordinate Parts
5. Sequential Development
6. Transitions
Between points and between exposition and applications.
7. Conclusion
Build to a crescendo.
B. Exposition Is Recognizably Attractive
1. It Is Symmetrical in Balance
Balance in points. A definite form. Clear divisions.
2. It Is Simplistic in Clarity
3. It Is Symphonic in Parts
VIII. PASSIONATELY-DELIVERED
PREACHING IS NOT LECTURING. IT IS NOT DELIVERED MONOTONE WITH NO MOTION. SEE LUKE 24:32. PASSION AND UNCTION.
A. Exposition Is Compelling in Its Presentation
1. Voice Inflection
2. Eye Focus
3. Body Posture
4. Hands Gesture
5. Emphatic Words
6. Dramatic Pauses
7. Paced Delivery
8. Facial Countenance
B. Exposition Is Contagious in Its Spread
1. It Enflames Hearts
2. It Raises Affections
3. It Inspires Hope
4. It Challenges Wills
IX. BOLDLY-DECLARED
NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR POINTS. BOLDNESS IS LITERALLY “ALL-SPEECH.” SAY EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID. NO RESERVATION, NO AMBIGUITY. NO CODE LANGUAGE. IF YOU GET IN TROUBLE, IT IS NOT BECAUSE YOU WEREN’T UNDERSTAND, IT IS BECAUSE YOU WERE UNDERSTOOD.
A. Exposition Requires Speaking Out
1. It Speaks Fully
2. It Speaks Openly
3. It Speaks Courageously
Confidence. All of Christianity is a religion of assertions. The lightning bolt must come down. See Tit. 1:9, 2:15.
B. Exposition follows Biblical Examples
1. Acts 4:29
2. Acts 13:44-47
3. 2 Corinthians 3:12
4. Ephesians 6:19
5. 1 Thessalonians 2:2
X. PASTORALLY-EDIFYING
WE ARE NOT A STEAMROLLER, WE ARE CALLED TO BE SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOCK. WE NOT ONLY TEAR DOWN, BUT WE BUILD UP. WE HAVE THE SWORD AND THE TROWEL. BOTH HANDS MUST BE OCCUPIED. THIS IS A MEANING OF THE SHARP TWO-EDGED SWORD. PREACH TO BROKEN HEARTS AND YOU WILL NEVER LACK FOR A CONGREGATION.
A. Exposition Emulates Biblical Images
1. Feeding Shepherd
Speak kindly. Exhibit patience.
2. Nursing Mother
1 Thes. 2. Some need encouragement, some need admonishment.
3. Imploring Father
1 Thes. 2 again.
4. Humble Servant
We do not lord it over the flock. We are not to be overbearing.
B. Exposition Ministers in Different Ways
See 1 Thes. 5.
1. It Admonishes the Wayward
2. It Encourages the Worried
3. It Helps the Weak
We are preaching to people.
XI. EVANGELISTICALLY-AIMED
PREACH THE WORD. DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST. EVEN WITHIN THE CHURCH.
A. Exposition Preaches the Law
No one wants to be saved until they know that they are lost.
1. It Exposes Sin
2. It Reveals Need
3. It Threatens Wrath
4. It Facilitates Conviction
B. Exposition Presents the Gospel
1. It Preaches Christ
2. It Offers Grace
3. It Extends Forgiveness
4. It Preaches the Necessity of the New Birth
C. Exposition Persuades the Lost
1. It Urges Repentance
2. It Summons Faith
We do not shy away from preaching judgment, condemnation, damnation, hell and torment.
The Institute for Expository Preaching whole series