Pastor, Why You Should Preach Expositionally

Pastor, Why You Should Preach Expositionally

    What is expositional or expository preaching? Expository preaching exegetes, proclaims, and applies the meaning of a particular text of Scripture after careful study of the passage in its original context. It seeks to explain what the passage meant to the original audience. The sole source of the message is the word of God. Expository preachers usually preach verse-by-verse through entire books of the Bible.

    Why should pastors preach expositionally? First, expository preaching achieves the biblical purpose of preaching- delivering God's message. Preachers are simply the messengers; we have no right to change the message or only proclaim what we want. Second, it promotes scriptural authority. God and his word must be submitted to and obeyed. Third, it magnifies God and his word. When the scriptures are preached expositionally, God is seen in all of his glory and splendor. He is preeminent, he is the focus.

    Fourth, preachers should preach expository sermons because it develops and sanctifies them. As a pastor studies the text and prepares the sermon, he is communing with God, sitting under the word himself, opening an avenue for the Spirit to do his work of convicting and edifying, becoming more like Christ, and growing in the grace and knowledge of the truth. Fifth, not only is the pastor developed, but this ensures that the flock is fed and receiving a steady diet of God's word. The people in the pew are built up, challenged, convicted, warned, encouraged, equipped, and sanctified.

    Sixth, expository preaching introduces the congregation to the entire Bible. Most expository preachers preach through entire books of the Bible. Some preach through a book in the New Testament and then the Old Testament. This ensures a steady and complete diet of the word of God. This is referred to as “preaching the whole counsel of God.” Seventh, preaching this way teaches the congregation how to read, understand, and apply the entire Bible. Believers will hear different types of passages exegeted and therefore will grow in their understanding of the Bible. When entire books are preached through, people will hear sermons on historical narrative, poetry, prophecy, parables, etc.

    Eighth, it leads to thoughtfulness and Christlikeness. People will have a deeper appreciation of the word of God and will grow as a result. Ninth, expositional preaching creates a sense of reverence in listeners for the word of God. Why? Because it is God's word being proclaimed and not merely the message of a man. Tenth, preaching in this manner ensures that difficult texts and unpopular subjects and doctrines will be handled. When preachers do not preach expositionally, it is so easy to avoid the topics and verses that are controversial or difficult to understand.

    Eleventh, this allows for deep theological themes and texts to be handled in context. Often, preachers preach on what they want and divorce their topic from the context. Preaching expository sermons safeguards from this and aids in eliminating eisegesis. Twelfth, preaching in this way shows that the pastor does not have an agenda. He knows himself to be the messenger and the word of God is his message. So often, preachers preach what they want when they want. The same themes are taught over and over again. And the result? Starving sheep. Feed the flock of God and use his word.

    Lastly, anything that may get a pastor fired, especially relating to preaching, must be right. It is sad to say, but people do not like this kind of preaching because it exposes sin, shows who God really is, and takes effort on the part of the pastor and listener. Most just are not used to this type of preaching. It is not “the way it has always been done.” But, they can adjust. It is for their good and God's glory.

There are many reasons to preach God's word as God's word. At the end of the day, pastor, you were called by God and placed where you are to proclaim his word, not your own. I know this may be difficult and some will rebel. But, God is on his throne and his word will not return to him without it accomplishing his purpose. You are just the messenger. The message is not your own. Give your people God's word. Stand on the word of God. Preach it boldly and unashamedly. Preach it in season and out of season. Feed the flock. Preach the word.