Why I Prefer Expository Preaching

Constant repetition of a dirty dozen of do’s (or don’ts) can lead to a false sense of security and self-righteousness while carnality is rampant in the pews. A member may attend faithfully, tithe, not smoke or drink but, what about his pride, peevishness, laziness, etc?

VI. Principles taught now prepare for applications later.

I have found it is best to lay solid bedrock of principles before you make specific applications. Humanism, materialism, New Age philosophy, and many other "isms" have so infiltrated the church that people are usually not able to bear some applications before learning the Biblical principle supporting it. Issues are seen as the preacher’s opinions or convictions and not necessarily relevant to anyone else. If they are accepted, it is often because of the charisma of the preacher. If another man comes along with greater charisma and different convictions, the people will follow him because the man has touched them rather than the issues.

Teaching principles and the Biblical definition of separation will give the Christian something to chew on while the Holy Spirit works on him. By the time, you get to the Scripture that will make a specific application of the principle there may be no controversy. Examples would be music, clothing drinking, hair, etc. The Holy Spirit may have already convicted someone to give up or start something before you ever get to the appropriate Scriptures. Then when you touch on it in your preaching you will get an "AMEN!" instead of a "Stone him!" or an "Oh, me!" rather than an "OUT YE!" You may still get rebellion when you name the sin or make the application of the principle. It is far better that they react to the Word or the Spirit’s conviction than to you as a person. You can rest in the fact that you were faithful and God can handle the arguments that people have with Him.

VII. It best fulfills Nehemiah 8:7,8.

They read in the law distinctly. The word distinctly in Hebrew means exact statement, to make clear, or to translate. They gave the sense (Heb. understanding, wisdom) of it and caused them to understand (Heb. emphasis on ability to understand) it.

Here is the basic principle of expository preaching and yea, the duty of all men called of God to teach the Word! We are to say exactly what He says in a way that people will have the ability to understand and with understanding will do what God is saying! A messenger who deviated one word from his master’s message was put to death! Praise His grace that He does not do that to us!

Kodak instamatic doctrine is not God’s doctrine! We are not to turn the Word of God into a photo album by using excessive pictures and types when cold, hard facts are before us! Nor are we to dazzle our audience with our storytelling ability or colorful language to the point where it shades the Word to our preferences or obscures it completely! We are not Liberals! The Word means what it says so say what it means!

VIII. It best follows Christ’s and the 1st Century Church practice.