Topical and thematic preaching is much safer because the pastor can pick and choose which truths to communicate and which ones to pass over. The will of the consumer is regularly feed so that the people generally only hear what they want to hear (see 2 Timothy 4:3-5). Who wants to come to church and hear sermons about God's narrow view on divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:1-11), the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation (Rom. 9; Eph. 1), the promise of persecution from the world against faithful disciples (John 15:8-16:4), the cost of discipleship (Luke 9:23-24), etc.?
Verse-by-verse preaching forces the pastor to deal with countercultural texts. Many times I am left with the choice to either betray God (2 Tim. 2:15,) by not expounding the real meaning of such and such a text, or to honor Him, and let the chips fall where they may; (which is not wise if job security and pay raises are idols of your heart). Too many pastors today treat the Bible like a cafeteria where they take what they want and leave the rest behind. The fruit of this approach is what you see today in the American evangelical church! May God forgive us and help us to preach more like Jesus (with boldness, love, and passion).
