Series Six: Expository Preaching

The testimony of the Word of God is that it alone is objective. Clarity comes from yielding to objective truth from God.

1. Today’s typical approach to preaching is subjective and experiential.
   1. Create a list of topics that I want to teach about.
   2. Find where the key words appear in the Bible that go along with my series.
   3. Develop a message around the theme of those words.
   4. Disregard the authors’ intent or context, but have something practical and relevant that goes along with the topic I wanted to teach about.
   5. To teach a principle authoritatively that is not from a text means that the authority lies with the preacher now.
   6. Example: a series on prayer that uses Matthew 18:20 on prayer meetings.
      • The principle is fine, but not from that passage.
      • Now you strip Matthew 18:15–20 of its context, meaning, and authority from that passage.
      • If you miss a passage in this way, it will not have its sanctifying power in your life.
2. But the nature of the Word of God is powerful and transforming.
   1. Scripture is sufficient to transform (2 Tim 3:16–17).
   2. Truth is exclusive as an instrument of change in the life of the believer (John 17:17).
   3. The law of God does not bend, and it allows you to see your soul from God’s perspective.
   4. The testimony of the Lord is sure. It is stable as to its divine wisdom (Ps 19:7–14).
   5. With faith and yieldedness to the regulations of God, you will illumination so as to be able to spiritually appraise with clarity. We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2).