by Bret Capranica | Jan 11, 2007 | Preaching
What has been said so far about expository preaching is not to suggest that there is no place for a topical message or that topical preaching cannot have an expositional element to it. Topical preaching can be effective when it collates all the relevant biblical texts into a coherent message. The onus for the preacher is to make sure that his use of those biblical texts do not violate their intended meaning in the contexts from which they originate. For example, doctrinal messages like those on the attributes and nature of God, the nature of man, the effects of sin, acceptable worship or messages on biblical eschatology could all be good biblical, accurate and applicable topical messages. Topical preaching reflect the idea that Scripture is its own best interpreter and that it never contradicts itself. Topical preaching can be helpful to an expository ministry by expanding on an issue touched on in a previously exposited text. For example, I paused my series in the book of Revelation after preaching chapters four and five to speak about how heaven could help corporate worship. Topical preaching can provide a helpful segue between expository series or even within a series on a biblical book. I preached a few topical messages on Christian cooperation after my series on the book of Jude in order to give some further practical implications of the content of Jude. Yet, troublesome waters abound if topical preaching is the norm for a pastor’s pulpit ministry. The purely deductive approach to preaching provides problems when the preacher is tempted to emphasize his own ideas and preferences than the ideas...
by Bret Capranica | Jan 9, 2007 | Preaching
In addition to the biblical evidence, a few theological considerations suggest expository preaching to be the most biblical manner to preach. First, I would propose a “bibliological” justification for expository preaching. The very injunction given to Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2), follows on the heels of a theological statement that the Scriptures are “inspired by God.” The inspiration of the Scriptures suggest that they are without error, completely sufficient for every human need (2 Peter 1:4, 5), and unrivaled in their authority. Why then begin by expositing a secular idea and finding a few biblical verses and secular quotations to illustrate that idea? Beginning with the Scriptures for the content of the message appears to be the best way to demonstrate that the preacher truly believes that the Bible is inspired, without error, sufficient and authoritative. Furthermore, I would suggest a soteriological justification for expository preaching. Expositing the Scriptures, according to 2 Timothy 3:15 is what makes one wise to salvation. Peter states as much when he writes, “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God . . . and this is the word which was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:23, 25). Just this past Sunday evening, I was told by a woman at the conclusion of our evening service that she believed she embraced Christ because of the expository preaching she was exposed to. She had heard too many topical sermons and basic moral truths throughout her life that left her spiritually empty. After being exposed to a...
by Bret Capranica | Jan 8, 2007 | Preaching
My posts on this subject are mere reflections on the subject for what they are worth. However, I have had the privilege of serving as a pastor in three local congregations over the past nineteen years. Every year, I become more committed to expository preaching and more convinced of its necessity and power in the life of the local church and in the individual lives of those who submit themselves to the regular exposition of Scripture. Biblical Justification for Expository Preaching Having defined expository preaching as that form of preaching that begins with the Scriptures and is structured around the Scriptures’ intended meaning and form, what biblical justification can be made for asserting that this kind of preaching is the purest and most proper form of biblical preaching? The clearest biblical injunction to preach in an expository manner is found in 2 Timothy 4:2: “preach the word.” If this exhortation is to be seriously applied, then the sermon must not be derived from a topic, but rather, “the word.” Such, “word” based preaching is also biblically exemplified as well. When Israel returned from Babylonian captivity and began rebuilding the wall and the city, she was freshly exposed to the law of God and subsequent spiritual renewal. How did Israel’s leaders expose the congregation to the law? Nehemiah 8:7, 8 indicates, “. . . the Levites explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.” Such verse-by-verse exposition finds few friends among modern day topical...
by Bret Capranica | Jan 7, 2007 | Preaching
Pastor Steve Weaver of West Broadway Baptist Church in Lenoir City, Tennesseeseries of posts just completed a on his approach to expository preaching. Steve is a good friend I have come to know through the blogosphere. I had the privilege to meet Steve and have lunch with him last year. I found my own approach to be very similar and was grateful to see his eager approach to faithfully preaching God’s Word. Another such series was written by Pastor Matt Waymeyer. Matt is another friend and fellow graduate of The Master’s Seminary. We used to work on the custodial staff together at Grace Community Church. He is a humble, faithful expositor of the Word. Both of these men share my own heart convictions about the subject of Expository Preaching. Since my conversion and well before I knew it had a technical name I have always yearned to preach and teach the intended meaning of the Bible. This passion is what drove my eight 1/2 years of ministry before seminary. it was this drive that also helped me choose which seminary I was privileged to attend. This same desire has fueled me to pursue further training in expository preaching and is the impetus for my own involvement in helping to train others in expository preaching. In light of my two brothers posting their approach to expository preaching and in light of a message I am about to preach to my own congregation, “Why We Should Love Preaching,” I thought I would throw out a few thoughts of my own. My intention in the next series of posts is to describe...
