You may remember the answer a young preacher gave when asked to describe his preaching style. The nervous pastor rose to his feet, swallowed hard, and replied: “There are two types of preaching: the first is topical . . . and the second is . . . suppository!”
As a pastor, you know better than most how tough it is to state in succinct and precise terms what we mean by “expository preaching.” I was recently asked to provide a definition. Not an easy assignment! I checked about five fairly reliable sources and found that their definitions were either too long, too convoluted, or just plain inaccurate! So, I decided to start from scratch and hammer out one on my own. Two hours later, I came up with this:
- Understanding what God has written requires the expositor to be accurate in both preparation and delivery of the Scriptures, so that the Bible is allowed to speak for itself.
- Understanding why God’s Word is important calls for the expositor to be passionate in communicating the truth, so that the one receiving the message is compelled to listen and eager to respond.
- Understanding how that message relates to life means that the expositor uses terms that are clear, delivers the message in ways that connect with needs, and applies it so specifically the hearer realizes the relevance of God’s Word and the necessity of aligning his/her life to it.
There’s nothing inspired about this definition. But I did find that the process of thinking through it reignited my passion for expository preaching.
Let me urge you to do some original work in the Scriptures, to mull through the biblical mandates of a pastor, and to craft your own working definition. I believe the process will help you as a preacher . . . and also provide a standard to evaluate your messages.
DR. SWINDOLL,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ON EXPOSITORY PREACHING. IT WAS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR AND A TIMELY REMINDER ABOUT WHAT IT IS WE PASTORS DO. I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH. THANKS AGAIN.
Posted by: TERRY DINSMORE | March 03, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Pastor Swindoll,
I always appreciate your wisdom and insight.But as much as that I am blessed by your heart for pastors and their families. When you pastored in California I had the honor of visiting with you on several occassions,having lunch at THE RED ONION with you ,Howie and Bob then spending a couple of hours in your study asking questions and in general having a dream fullfilled. Your impact on my life was great but your authentic influence was greater still. After my last visit there some things happened and my life fell apart. my wife ,Elaine, wrote to you,asking for prayer. You responded with letters of encouragement and grace. THANK YOU. Helen Peters also responded in love and encouragement. After seven years away from the Lord,He in love pursued me and in grace forgave me. He also opened a door for me to serve at a church here in Western N.C. While away from our Lord my son Jason,who is now a pastor, kept the books and tapes by you, sent by Helen Peters, in front of my eyes and in sound of my ears. The Lord used your influence and the prayers of my family to reclaim me.Thank You Joe Canipe
Posted by: joe canipe | March 05, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Dear Rev.Charles Swindoll,
Your life and ministry is an answer to my prayers. All my life since I came to know the Lord was focused on the desire to be used for His work. I married a pastor who is trained more in community development work and we both spent our prime years in that kind of ministry. When we were called to do church ministry, I do not know how to handle Bible studies which is expected by most members to most pastors' wives. Since I am a graduate of Business Administration, doing or handling church life was something new to me and it caused me so much pain when I can not communicate or explain Biblical truth to women asking my opinion. Because I love this work so much and I desire to help my husband become a better pastor through my life, I prayed and ask the Lord to help me. Several times I cried out to the Lord. During all this time I know the Lord was building me to become a better person, a better pastor's wife. I attended seminars, short term trainings, read books to equip me, then one day our pastor handed us your tapes. I heard your sermons first from the tapes DISCIPLESHIP. That was in 1993, I was so blessed! So blessed. I repeatedly listen to the tapes and shared some to my friends. When we moved to another city in 1997 to start our first church life ministry, the tapes became outmoded and ants started to buildup inside. This was so frustrating to me but the Lord has in mind something better for me. My sister gave me Insights for Living books. I have read the booklets and used it with comfort to our women ministry in our church. So easy to understand and teach. I have used Insight for Living to most of my preaching assignments too. I got positive results after using Insights for Living. The book Laugh Again was very helpful in teaching the book of Philippians. My husband and I used Seasons for Life as our devotional book and now were using it to our pastoral team morning prayer devotionals. I now find my work more comfortable to handle. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING UNSELFISH IN YOUR SHARING OF GOD'S TRUTH. I wish to meet you personally but if this will not happen I want you to be the third person I will see in Heaven. GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY! With you FOR HIM, Ellen.
Posted by: Ellen Palacio Baugbog | March 06, 2009 at 02:55 AM
Pastor Swindoll,
Several years ago you preached in what I believe was Greg Laurie's first "Preach the Word" conference, along with Allistar Begg, Greg Laurie, and Chuck Smith. A preacher friend of mine was good enough to loan me the tapes. Every message was wonderful, as was the question-answer time. When Chuck Smith brought his message, he quoted Nehemiah 8:8 to define expository preaching: "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." I've often thought of that in my efforts to be expositor.
Posted by: Russell Mckinney | March 11, 2009 at 07:09 PM