Rethinking Biblical Application (pt. 2)

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In a previous article I began to unpack the role of the hearer in the process of biblical change. Suffice it to say, James 1:21-27 should be considered a lifelong text.  In other words, a Christian never graduates beyond the implications and requirements of this passage.  I am not a tattoo person, but if I were, this would be a really good passage to have inked on my wrist.  Much more could be said about this foundational text but I'll save those comments for another time.

Today, I want us to consider the role of the preacher (teacher) when it comes to helping people mature in the faith as we strive to become more and more like Jesus (Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Corinthians 3:18).  

The apostolic mandate to carefully (2 Timothy 2:15) exposit the Scriptures is clearly established in 2 Timothy 3:16-4:5.  Preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  I have posted numerous articles about this chief means of grace (preaching/teaching) that God has instituted in His Church for His ultimate glory and our highest good.  Note this, this, this, this, this, and this.  Mark Dever is correct when he says that expositional preaching is the first and most important mark of a healthy church.   The pulpit has been rightly called "the rudder of the church."  As the pulpit goes so goes the church.  

Let me share three considerations with regards to preaching and biblical application:


1) It is important that each sermon addresses the "SO WHAT?" question.  

In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul commanded Timothy to "Preach (herald/kerusso) the Word and then he added this-REPROVE, REBUKE, and EXHORT with great patience and careful instruction." Everything in Scripture pertains to life and godliness.  The goal of biblical ministry includes both evangelism and discipleship (note Matthew 28:18-10 and Colossians 1:28-29).  Faith and obedience.  Worship and witness.

2) Many, if not the majority of evangelical pulpits today, offer very little (meaty) "exposition" but often include lots of  "application."  

This all too common approach to "preaching" is problematic on a number of levels. Most importantly, the only binding authority in the life of the church is the Word of God (when it is rightly understood and applied)!  When Bible teachers do not establish the context and prove that what they are teaching was/is the actual intent of the original author they are inadvertently teaching people to "do this and that" or "do not do this and that" because I told you so.   Or they are telling people that you can make the Text mean whatever you want it say (so long as you stay within the boundaries of orthodoxy).  Sadly, this kind of shallow, evangelical, principlizing is highly prized in American Christianity.  A year ago I preached a stand alone sermon that addressed this issue.  The title of my address was Faulty Interpretation.  Wrong Applications.  Serious Problems.  In the words of H.B. Charles, "You abuse the Scriptures when you preach the right truth from the wrong text."  True biblical exposition keeps the main point of the passage the main point of the sermon (ascertaining this often requires lots of exegetical labor Monday-Saturday).  For some positive examples of what genuine biblical exposition sounds like check out the distinguished pulpit ministries of John MacArthur, Jerry Wragg, Ligon Duncan, and Steve Lawson.

Having established points one and two let me make a third and final observation: 

3) It is also possible for a sermon to model clear, in-depth, Text-driven exposition (2 Timothy 2:15) but to fall short in the area of exhortation (some would label this as "insufficient application").  

For pastors who follow the Alistair Begg, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John MacArthur approach of expository preaching (which I believe is the apostolic way of preaching), we do not always hit the mark here.  I put myself in this category.  Some of my sermon expositions have not included as much direct exhortation as they could/should have (reprove, rebuke, exhort, warn, encourage, challenge, stimulate). Preachers and teachers of Scripture must never lose site of the "so what" question.  We must make every effort to preach and teach the infallible Word of God with a purpose.  Like a Spirit-filled lawyer the man of God should preach for a verdict (this is what the Lord God requires of you; here are a few ways one might go about applying this passage to their life, etc).

Though often misunderstood, and sometimes far too loose in their interpretation and/or application of the Text, most Puritan preachers were nevertheless exemplary in the area of intentional pastoral exhortation (see any of these books/sermons for examples). While commending the pulpit ministry of Richard Baxter, one author noted "Baxter's preaching was characterized by clear, memorable instruction. He believed that a preacher should reason with his hearers. 'We should be furnished with all kind of evidence so that we may come as with a torrent upon their understandings, and with our reasonings and expostulations to pour shame upon their vain objections, and bear down all before us, that they may be forced to yield to the power of truth.' Although well aware of the darkness of the unregenerate mind, he is always concerned to clear up possible misunderstandings, to give explanations for what he says. His sermons have a logical structure first the 'opening' of the text, then the explanation of difficulties, followed by the 'uses' and the appeal. Even in the midst of the most impassioned pleading he will turn to enlist the aid of reason. After beseeching with great tenderness and power at the close of 'Making Light of Christ and Salvation', he ends by enumerating nine false grounds of assurance, followed by eight tests by which his hearers may prove their own sincerity. A rhetorician would cringe at such squandering of 'emotional impact', but Baxter was content to let the truth make its own impact, and he was preaching, not primarily to move men, but to teach them."

May God help both preacher and hearer alike as we seek to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This study on rethinking biblical application will be continued....