So independent, too, one may feel; so original he may think himself. • Commentaries, he can sneer at them all; other preachers, he has little need of comparing views with them. No need of anything but the resources of his own imagination, for such preaching is too often only building castles in the air.

 

John A. Broadus, “On The Preparation And Delivery Of Sermons”

…preaching was originally expository… Broadus

the things which ought most to be thought of by the preacher, are piety and knowledge, and the blessing of God.

Broadus, Preparation And Delivery Of Sermons

“In Scripture there are no throwaway lines.”
C.J Mahaney
here

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves

preachit (Photo credit: Brent Nelson)

teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3–4)
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3–4)

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3–4)

What are the dangers of expository preaching?

Some would say that the danger is that of becoming a cold and dry academic preacher.

Others would say that the danger is that of becoming bogged down by details to the extent that one goes so slowly that the people are bored.

There is a greater danger. That danger affects the souls of the hearers in a way that is worse than the above dangers.

First of all there is the danger of despising expository preaching and turning to story telling. Paul warned Timothy that people would turn away from the truth and listen to the stories of those who would say what was pleasing to hear (See 2Timothy 4:1-5). This is extremely dangerous, because we reject the Word of God to the detriment and damnation of our own souls. Story telling preachers should beware lest they be found guilty of tickling people’s ears instead of preaching the truth.

There is also the danger of rejecting the truth of Scripture by desiring to hear only that which does not convict us of our sins. Isaiah spoke of those who called for smooth preaching and deceitful words (Isaiah 30:10). Smooth preaching is relative. For some smooth preaching is that which makes them cry, but never addresses their sins. For others smooth preaching is rough, tough, and harsh; but it only addresses the sins of society, or the sins of other groups of people.

There is too much that passes for biblical preaching these days that is nothing more than story telling. The preacher is the hero (or the villain who becomes hero) in most of the stories. The preacher takes a text, reads it, and then never truly presents to the people the meaning and intent of the text. It is often called biblical preaching because it deals with preferences that the preacher and the people have: preferences that are based upon shallow exegesis and not upon what the Scriptures truly say.

I speak from sad experience today. I understand what it means to see a group of people reject God’s Word. I know how if feels to see people one desires to help reject the help that God presents to them in His Word. I understand now more than ever that the there are many who will turn their ears away from the truth and listen to fairy-tale-like stories that move the emotions. Sadly said folks do so unto their own destruction.

Is expository preaching dangerous? Yes, it is extremely dangerous to the one who rejects it.

Reading is good, and preaching good, but expounding brings the reading and the preaching together, and thus makes the reading the more intelligible and the preaching the more convincing.

Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume, Ne 8:1–8 (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996).

Matthew Henry (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Faithful Christian ministry is all about the Word. The pastor delivers it. Announces it. Explains it. Indoctrinates with it. Warns with it. Defends with it. Reminds of it. Applies it. He isn’t an executive, a manager, or a marketing specialist. He’s a teacher. Yes, he provides an example and builds strong relationships, but the Word is the hallmark of his ministry and the source of his influence. His heartbeat is the Gospel.

via Toward a Word-Centered Ministry « My Two Cents.

This post is a worthy read. I highly recommend it.

Permit me to remind you of the Terentian adage, ne quid nimis No more than enough. The end of speaking is to be heard; and if the person farthest from the preacher can hear, he speaks loud enough. Upon some occasions a few sentences of a discourse may be enforced with a voice still more elevated, but to be uncommonly loud from beginning to end is hurtful to the speaker, and I apprehend nowise useful to the hearer. It is a fault which many inadvertently give into at first, and which many have repented of too late: when practice has rendered it habitual, it is not easily corrected.

I know some think that preaching very loudly and preaching with power are synonymous expressions; but your judgment is too good to fall in with that prejudice. If I was a good Grecian I would send you a quotation from Homer, where he describes the eloquence of Nestor, and compares it, if I remember right, not to a thunderstorm or hurricane, but to a fall of snow, which, though pressing, insinuating, and penetrating, is soft and gentle. You know the passage: I think the simile is beautiful and expressive.

via Long Sermons–Loud Sermons–Itinerating.

I once heard an older preacher say, “If you don’t strike oil in twenty minutes; stop boring.”

Another said that a particular young man’s sermon should have been half as loud and twice as deep.

In all, moderation is to practiced by the man in the pulpit.

Image via Wikipedia

Ken Ham on the brouhaha about the historicity of Adam and Eve:

The interesting point is that this quote actually does deal with the real issue, and sadly, atheists understand this better than the majority of Christian academics these days. And in this instance, as shocking as it may seem, I agree with the atheists, not the majority of Christian academics. The following is what the atheists say (now I don’t agree with the first paragraph of course, but I agree with the essence of their points as you read them): Chances are, if you’re reading this, you don’t believe in the fable of Adam and Eve and the talking snake. You probably think it’s a story, created out of ignorance, to explain the origin of life. You probably don’t believe that Adam literally ate a fruit, resulting in God expelling him and Eve out of the idyllic Garden of Eden. In other words, you know that’s a myth. Right so far? So if Adam and Eve and the Talking Snake are myths, then Original Sin is also a myth, right? Well, think about it. Jesus’ major purpose was to save mankind from Original Sin. Original Sin makes believers unworthy of salvation, but you get it anyway, so you should be grateful for being saved (from that which does not exist) Without Original Sin, the marketing that all people are sinners and therefore need to accept Jesus falls moot. All we are asking is that you take what you know into serious consideration, even if it means taking a hard look at all you’ve been taught for your whole life. No Adam and Eve means no need for a savior. It also means that the Bible cannot be trusted as a source of unambiguous, literal truth. It is completely unreliable, because it all begins with a myth, and builds on that as a basis. No Fall of Man means no need for atonement and no need for a redeemer. You know it. (http://atheists.org/atheism/Christmas)

via I Agree with the Atheists! | Around the World with Ken Ham.

On the doctrines of grace and the five solas:

On theology:

Most people don’t know that Saddleback has a 72-week systematic theology course thatis required for every small group member and every staff member. And I’ve had over15,000 people go through this 72-week systematic study. I would take doctrinalknowledge of any 500 Saddleback members and compare it to any 500 members of anyother church and we’d beat them.

On pride and temptation:

I’m begging the people who watch this, please pray for me. I would rather stick a knife in my heart than dishonor the name of God.

Full transcript on Scribd

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/55821766

Related articles

• John Piper Still Being Taken to Task Over His Use of Rick Warren At DG Conference (pastoralmusings.com)
• Transcript of John Piper’s Interview of Rick Warren (5ptsalt.com)
• John Piper Interviews Rick Warren on Doctrine (allthyngs.wordpress.com)
• John Piper Interviews Rick Warren At Saddleback (5ptsalt.com)
• John Piper Interviews Rick Warren at Saddleback (slaughteringthesheep.wordpress.com)
• A La Carte (5/27) (challies.com)