FURTHER CLARITY ON WHAT EXPOSITORY PREACHING IS. IT IS NOT ONE KIND OF PREACHING. IT IS NOT THE BEST KIND OF PREACHING. IT AND ONLY IT ARE PREACHING. IF IT IS NOT EXPOSITORY, IT IS NOT CHRISTIAN.
I. TEXT-DRIVEN
ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN A TEXT OF SCRIPTURE. NO LAUNCHING OFF INTO THE WILD BLUE YONDER. NO PREACHING YOUR OWN AGENDA. THE SERMON SHOULD SAY WHAT THE TEXT SAYS. IT STARTS WITH THE TEXT. NO 10 MINUTE INTRODUCTION ON SOMETHING THAT IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TEXT. TO INTRODUCE A SERMON WITH SOMETHING NOT TAKEN FROM THE TEXT IS TO PREACH YOUR OWN AGENDA. LEAVE YOUR OWN IDEAS, AGENDAS, DREAMS AND FANTASIES AT HOME. WE NEED MORE OF THE BIBLE IN OUR SERMONS. QUOTE THE TEXT AGAIN AND AGAIN. PREACH THE WORD.
A. This Is the Underlying Principle of Exposition
1. It Starts with a Text
2. It Stays with the Text
3. It Scrutinizes the Text
4. It Supports the Text
5. It Synthesizes the Text
B. There Are Various Kinds of Exposition
1. Sequential Exposition
Sequential preaching of entire books of the bible. this should be the meat and potatoes.
2. Sectional Exposition
Sectional preaching of sections of a book of the bible.
3. Thematic Exposition
Topical preaching of a particular doctrine or subject.
4. Biographical Exposition
Study of a person or group of people
5. Isolated Exposition
A one-time sermon, for a wedding or funeral
6. Seasonal Exposition
Christmas or Easter
II. GOD-EXALTING
NO MAN HAD A GREATER VIEW OF GOD THAN JOHN CALVIN.
A. Exposition Magnifies God
Expository preaching puts the glory of God on display.
1. It Elevates His Attributes
2. It Promotes His Character
3. It Honors His Names
4. It Praises His Acts
B. Exposition Inspires Worship
Shallow preaching leads to shallow worship If we want our worship to be the worship of God, then our sermons must be full of the glory of God. The worship leader is the preacher.
III. CHRIST-CENTERED
WE MUST ALWAYS BE PREACHING CHRIST. SEE 1 COR. 1:23, 2:2. THE MERELY PRACTICAL SERMON IS WORTHLESS. THE MORALITY SERMON WITHOUT CHRIST IS WORTHLESS.
A. The Person of Christ Must Be Expounded
1. His Eternal Deity
2. His Sinless Humanity
B. The Teachings of Christ Must Be Expounded
1. His Precise Doctrine
2. His Tender Appeals
3. His Profound Wisdom
4. His Stern Warnings
C. The Example of Christ Must Be Expounded
1. His Perfect Actions
2. His Perfect Reactions
D. The Work of Christ Must Be Expounded
1. His Saving Death
2. His Powerful Resurrection
3. His Present Enthronement
4. His Imminent Return
5. His Final Judgment
E. The Grace of Christ Must Be Expounded
1. His Saving Grace
2. His Sanctifying Grace
3. His Strengthening Grace
4. His Serving Grace
IV. SPIRIT-EMPOWERED
WITHOUT THE SPIRIT, PREACHING IS JUST A LECTURE. EVEN JESUS WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN HE PREACHED. SEE LUKE 4:1FF, ESPECIALLY V.18. EVERY SERMON MUST BE DELIVERED BY TWO PEOPLE, YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHAT GOT INTO PETER ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST? THE HOLY SPIRIT. PREACHING IS GOD ACTING.
A. The Spirit Illumines Our Minds
B. The Spirit Enflames Our Passions
C. The Spirit Emboldens Our Words
D. The Spirit Deepens Our Convictions
E. The Spirit Liberates Our Hearts
F. The Spirit Enlarges Our Compassion
G. The Spirit Raises Our Confidence
V. EXEGETICALLY-GROUNDED
BUILT UPON DIGGING INTO THE BIBLICAL TEXT. LOOKING FOR THE NORMAL INTERPRETATION OF THE TEXT. GIVE ATTENTION TO WHAT WORDS MEANS. THE MAN WHO GOD HAS CALLED TO PREACHED HAS BEEN GIVEN THE MIND BY GOD TO KNOW THE TRUTH.
A. Scripture Must Be Rightly Exegeted
1. Word Studies
2. Grammatical Structure
3. Literary Genre
4. Biblical Context
5. Historical Background
6. Geographical Setting
7. Verb tense, voice and mood
8. Textual variants
B. Scripture Must Be Rightly Interpreted
1. Literal Interpretation
2. Historical Interpretation
3. Grammatical Interpretation
The Institute for Expository Preaching whole series
