"In-Depth Preaching Requires Full-Length Exposition."

photo credit: www.becominglikechristjesus.com

"True expository preaching always involves a lengthy, full treatment of the biblical text.  When Ezra stood before the people of Israel in Nehemiah 8, he read 'from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law" (Neh. 8:3b).'

The service went from sunrise to high noon, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  It was a six-hour period of time.  Obviously, this was a unique setting and situation.  Every sermon is not to be six hours long; But our delivery should be long enough to be deep.   Nehemiah did not cut it short; his treatment of the Word was lengthy.   This is not the scene we see at many churches in the U.S. a twenty minute sermon and a twenty-minute invitation.  This is not the spiritual fare at the average "seeker" church- one hour of syrupy choruses and a twenty minute pep talk from someone sitting on a stool.  No, this was a full treatment of the Word.  Ezra presented the Word without watering it down.

Careful Bible exposition requires considerable time in the pulpit.  It takes time for there to be introduction, transition, homiletical points, explanation, word studies, cross references, historical background, thematic context, authorial intent, application, illustration, exhortation, persuasion, and conclusion.  It always takes longer to get a 747 off the runway than it does a crop duster.  So it is with preaching.  An in-depth sermon requires a full-length exposition.

A Plea for Biblical Preaching (Dr. Schreiner)

 A Plea for Biblical Preaching

Excerpts from Dr. Thomas Schreiner

Photo Credit: http://www.mayfairbible.org/various-sermons/

"It seems that almost everyone trumpets the importance of expositional preaching, and yet genuine and powerful expository preaching seems to be in short supply. Too often the text that is read before the sermon is abandoned or distorted when the preacher arises to proclaim the word. I am reminded of an exposition I read on Acts 27 where Paul’s shipwreck on Malta was used to say that we all need to take vacations. Paul would be rather surprised, to say the least, to discover that his trip to Malta was being likened to a Mediterranean cruise. Similarly, I heard a sermon on the many sufferings Paul experienced in his ministry on 2 Corinthians 11:23-29. One of the lessons drawn for the people was the need to eliminate busyness in our lives to reduce stress. I wondered what the preacher could be thinking. Paul catalogs his sufferings to show his devotion to Christ, and there is not a hint that he thought he was doing too much! Or, how many sermons contain striking alliteration, but the main points do not match what the biblical text actually says? 

One reason for the decline of expositional preaching is lack of faith.

The Greatest Single Need of the Church Today is __________

Over fifty years ago Merrill F. Unger made a plea for expository preaching: The greatest single need of the contemporary church is undoubtedly the strengthening of the local pulpit.  This fact is not difficult to realize in the light of distressing present-day conditions in this phase of the Christian ministry and in view of the key place pastoral preaching holds in the carrying out of the divine program.  The progress of God's work depends primarily on the local church, and the local pastor has the most strategic position for weal or woe in this important activity.  In no way can the individual pulpit be strengthened for its momentous task than by a diligent return to the Bible injunction: 'Preach the Word.' The benefits of such a ministry are incalculable."

L. Scott Kellum goes on to say, "The good news is that many people seem to have convinced conservative evangelicals of the primary place of such preaching in the pulpits.  Unfortunately, few do it well."  To which Dr. Thomas Schreiner adds, "It seems that almost everyone trumpets the importance of expository preaching, and yet genuine and powerful expository preaching seems to be in short supply."  "

I concur with both Unger and Schreiner, in this regard, Kellum  adds.  Sequential (verse-by-verse) expository preaching is best for the steady diet of the believer.  Tragically, "those who preach the Word with skill and power are few and far between."

Famine in the Land (The Dearth of True Bible Exposition)

 If the following definitions rightly reflect the sense of what true exposition of Scripture is then we must admit that there is a dearth of true preaching in America today.  It is no exaggeration to declare that there's a serious famine in the land! (Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD).  The devastating draught conditions in California is a microcosm of what is true spiritually throughout the United States.

In some cities and countries famished Christians (1 Peter 2:2-3) cannot find preaching that satisfies the deepest longings of their soul.  Grace To You says that they receive phone calls every week from people who want meaty exposition like what they hear on the radio (MacArthur, Lawson, Begg).  They long for this kind of feeding from the pulpit because they want to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Savior (note Colossians 1:28-29)

In other places, faithful expositors cannot find a "Christian" community that is really interested in the meat of God's Word.  In many cities, churchgoers are more interested in finding a casual atmosphere with musical styles that appeal to their personal tastes than they are in sound doctrine and the true exposition of Scripture.  Is it any wonder then why shallowness (Heb. 5:11-14) and biblical illiteracy so dominate the landscape of American Evangelicalism?  One would never know it but "spiritual immaturity" and the "lack of discernment" are not badges of Christian honor (note Ephesians 4:11-15). 

If reformation and revival is to take root in the Christian church it will be ushered in with a return to this kind of preaching (see below).  As the Reformer's rightly noted, "As the pulpit goes, so goes the church!"  To this end we labor, strive, and pray.