Expository preaching in our day has degenerated into moralistic story telling. Some part of the Bible is retold in an interesting (or not so interesting) manner, and then it is made to teach some desirable (or simply desired) lesson. No wonder that expository preaching has fallen into such disrepute.
The real hurt comes when we realize that this practice is found in our Reformed churches, too. Of course it may be hidden by going into great detail about the text, or by making it teach what is already agreed upon on the basis of our confessions. But it is there, nonetheless.
How can we do better? By practicing what is involved in the full exposition of a text.
In the first place, as most of us have been taught, it is necessary to study the text in its historical and linguistic setting. This is a complex and pains-taking task. Both the original language and the historical situation are important, and they are intertwined! What is the busy pastor to do? (Rush to the homiletical commentaries and sermon books, of course? No!)
I was taught that sermon preparation ought to take up half a minister’s time—not half-an–hour, nor even half-a-day, but half-a-week out of each week he puts in. This ought to allow him time to do some real studying of the text, rather than to depend on sermonic crutches.
The expositor must begin with the language of the text, including its grammar, vocabulary, and style. He must also examine its linguistic, literary, and historical context. Furthermore, the bits and pieces have to be put together in a meaningful whole. Of course, the entire picture must be consistent within itself and compatible with the rest of Scripture. These tasks can take a considerable amount of time and effort, but all this basic exegesis is necessary in order to explain what the text SAYS.
However, expository preaching worthy of the name requires much more than that. The Bible interpreter has to be more than a Bible teacher. The second step is to explain what the text MEANS.
This is where the matter gets sticky. What part does the personality of the preacher play in discovering and conveying the true meaning of the text? A great deal! In the first place, his understanding of what he has found will be colored by his own experience, both educationally and personally. And, in the second place, his choice of words to say what he has to say will reflect his own understanding of what they mean.
Add to this the limitations of the audience. Not only will they hear only what they are able to hear, but they will hear only what they are willing to hear. Personal experience and education throw up many hidden barriers. Blessed is the congregation whose minister understands his limits, and theirs!
It is the task of the Bible expositor to keep all these factors in mind. This may sound like asking an awful lot, but the task isn’t as impossible as it may sound. If we approach the Scriptures prayerfully and carefully and if we work sincerely and diligently, the Holy Spirit will interpret his own Word to us. The Author himself has promised that his Word will not return to him empty-handed.
So, let’s assume a measure of success in relaying and explaining the text. Now comes the most critical part of all. The text has to be APPLIED to the hearts and lives of the people. In other words, it has to be made meaningful for today.
Remember, the expository preacher must do more than teach what the Bible said. He must preach what the Bible says . . . to us . . . today.
Well-intentioned preachers often hurt, more than help, their listeners here. Sometimes they do not understand the needs of their audience. At other times they inject their own ideas into the text. But most often they fail to grasp the relevance of the text itself for today.
We live in a scientific age. We are used to having things expressed in precise terms, and we want to see practical results.
