EFFECTIVE EXPOSITION

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians should be the prayer of every expositor: “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” (‭‭Eph. ‭1‬:‭17‬).  When there is the application of truth from the Holy Spirit—“the spirit of wisdom”—and the apprehension of truth from the Holy Scriptures—“the spirit of…revelation”—then expository preaching will be effectively powerful.

We should seek to be DISCERNING OF THE WISDOM OF GOD, “the spirit of wisdom.”  Wisdom commences with the understanding of the meaning of the text—proper interpretation.  But, it does not stop there.  We continue with the message of the text—practical application.  We then conclude with the mandate from the text—persuasive exhortation.  Simply put, we pray for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truth, that we may open our mouths to speak it, and then open the hearts of the people to receive it.  Wisdom goes beyond the facts in the heads of the listeners, to seeing those facts become a force in the hearts of the people.  We help them see that the Holy Spirit will guide them in day to day decisions that impact them and influence others.  We must help the congregation to know, “Here is what God says,” and then declare, “Here is what we need to do about it!”

We should seek to be DIRECTED BY THE WORD OF GOD, “the spirit of…revelation.”  While the Holy Spirit brings us into application of the truth, the Holy Scriptures lead us into the apprehension of the truth.  To apprehend means to grasp something—in this case we get a grip on God’s Word. In so doing, the Word will also grab hold of us!  The will of God is disclosed in the Word of God.  We are not getting direct revelation—new truth—as those in the first century before the New Testament was completed.  Paul prayed for them to have a direct pipeline to God’s revealed will from heaven.  With the completion of the New Testament and the deaths of the Apostles and prophets, we are not receiving new revelation, but fresh illumination from the Word of God.  Then we will not only be guided by God’s wisdom, but governed by God’s Word.

If we pray for this and preach like this, then our exposition will be effective. Biblical information, practical application, passionate exhortation, and compelling illustration will produce powerful transformation.

If we do not want this, then why do we stand in the pulpit and speak to the people?  

TERMITE TROUBLE

Sometimes we think that problems in the church are a twenty-first century phenomenon. In reality, there have been issues since the first century. The church was flourishing, but not without fighting. The Devil will always oppose the forward march of the church. His way is not only to attack, but to infiltrate. Jesus warned of this. “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.’” (Matt.‬ ‭13‬:‭24‬-‭25‬‬). 

Old Vance Havner said it in his inimitable way: “The church has never been in so much danger from woodpeckers on the outside, as termites on the inside!”  We have termite protection at our home. Our pest control company sprays to create a chemical barrier to prevent the destructive pests from invading, and carries out regular inspections to make sure they have not found entry. Church elders, you are charged with pest control. There is the truth treatment. You must faithfully spray Scripture  around the house of God. You must also be watchful, lest destructive invaders slip in.  The longer these are tolerated, the greater will be their damage.

Recognize them by their DIVISIVE DISPUTATION. “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses…” (v. 17a). “Divide and conquer,” is an effective military strategy. Satan employs it effectively. The Devil knows that if he can get us fighting one another, then he will have no fear of us being an effective force. 

Many churches form circular firing squads! Note those who are ever causing division. Do a regular termite inspection! Confront them and exercise church discipline when needed. 

Be aware of their DOCTRINAL DEVIATION—“contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them,” (v. 17b). Termites are insidious insects. They eat away at the fiber of the wood. The wood may appear solid, but is getting weaker by the day—until it collapses. We must, “Avoid truth decay!”  

It would seem that the doctrinal deviation Paul was speaking of led to divisive disputation. We must hold to fundamental principles, without theological hair-splitting. One cannot sacrifice sound doctrine for maintaining unity. Yet, we should be cautious about making mountains out of molehills. Satan is a deceiver and will sow tares among the wheat. The peril is that the tares appear so much like wheat. Rampaging through the field, indiscriminately yanking up weeds, will also cause us to pull up young wheat. Discernment is demanded. 

The invasive insects are identified by their DECEPTIVE DECLARATION.“For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” (v.18‬‬). These claim to serve Jesus, while their motive is self-interest. It is not about Him, but them. Their communication is contradictory to their claim to be His servants. They are smooth talkers and flattering speakers. They hold up a Bible in front of a packed auditorium and with a sparkling smile promise, “Your Best Life Now.”  

Those mature in faith will detect them, but the immature will be deceived by them. Pastors, be mindful of who your members are listening to and what they are reading. The solid saints in the congregation are likely to spot such and spurn these teachers, but the young in faith will be seduced by them. Keep all the truth termites away by faithful exposition of Scripture, but do a regular inspection to see if some termites have slipped in. The earlier such is confronted, the less damage they will do!

TRUTH THAT FREES

I was reading this devotional from the late Stephen Olford and wanted to share it with you:

“The truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32 

It is interesting to note the working powers of the Word of God or Truth as revealed in this Gospel. Here are just a few: 

Its Liberating power. “The truth shall make you free.” The Word of God is that which snaps all chains of bondage. 

Its Pruning power. “You are already clean [pruned] because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). This is pruning for greater fruitfulness. 

Its Sanctifying power. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Herein lies the secret of a sanctified life. 

Its Rejoicing power. “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17). The keeping of His commandments has a special reward of happiness for the obedient believer. 

Thank You, Lord, for the liberating power of Your Word.  May Your Word have its way in my life. 

(According to Your Word, p. 76, Kindle Edition)

This is a reminder of another reason to preach the Word of God faithfully and fervently. It is the truth that sets people free!  During almost half a century of preaching, I have seen this again and again in people’s lives. May God give you liberty as you proclaim it with expectancy tomorrow!

SUBLIME TRUTHS SIMPLY TOLD

 

We have likely heard the definition of a parable, “An earthly story with a heavenly meaning.”  Jesus utilized parables in His teaching. The wisdom with which He spoke stopped the mouths of the Bible scholars of His day, and yet it was conveyed in a manner so as to be received gladly by the common folk who swarmed Him to hear Him. Jesus had a way of reaching into heaven for the most sublime truths and express them in such simple terms that His point was clear. 

Seminary students have studied the Lord’s teaching and volumes of commentaries have been written on the parables, along with countless sermons preached from them, yet by no means has their profound message been exhausted.  But, one may share the story with a child and they get it, or tell it to an uneducated adult and they grasp it.

It is the standard set for the preacher—to teach like Jesus. The late Stephen Olford, a master expositor, said that Jesus used three books that are available to us: “God's Book, the Book of Creation, and the Book of Human Life,” (According to Your Word, Kindle edition, p.21).

We begin with the Book of Inspiration. The message is drawn from exposition. It is based on the Bible. We start with the truth of Scripture and let it shape the subject of the sermon.  This is transcendent truth from the spiritual realm.

We illustrate with the Book of Creation. The message is illumined by illustration. Truth can be explained through creation. Insight is given from the natural realm. Jesus did that in the parables.

We conclude with the Book of Life. The message is directed to application. Truth is applied to daily living. This is the practical truth that shapes us in the human realm.

I want to put the cookies on the shelf where the people can reach them. The best compliment I ever receive is when someone says, “God spoke to me from your sermon,” and as they affirm, “When you preach I understand the Bible.”  May that ever be our goal as preachers—as we employ those three books and preach like Jesus!

BUILDING A SERMON

 In building a sermon, the foundation is the most crucial component—and the foundation is exposition. What does it mean?  What was God saying to the people of that time. Without a solid grasp of the original interpretation, then we have no Biblical basis in the sermon.

Yet, on that foundation, there is the frame. That is the outline.  The framework is organization.  It is a systematic way of framing the truth so that it would have made sense to those who first heard it, to ourselves as a preacher presenting it, and to those who will hear our sermon.  Apart from this it is difficult for the congregation to have retention of the truth.

The building of a sermon next demands the finish work—and that is application. Having understood what the text originally meant, then organizing that in a manner that will enhance presentation, we must move to show what the text means to our listeners in our day. Without this, we my have accomplished teaching, but not preaching. Consider this reality conveyed here by Spurgeon and Stott:

Then, it is completed with furnishing the sermon construction. That is illustration. This adorns the message and gives the listener a place to sit down and ruminate, chewing over the bread of heaven, a place to lie down and meditate, to rest in the reality of eternity.

Exposition, organization, application, illustration: these are essential components in building a sermon.  To this we might add that an introduction that captures the attention of the listener and a conclusion that calls for decision enables the congregation to “nail it down.”

FOR HIS GLORY

 

Our service to God is not to promote ourselves, but to glorify God. Let us beware of pursuing ministry as glory hounds hunting church celebrity status.

OUR SPEECH SHOULD BE ROOTED IN GOD’S AUTHORITY. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” It is not our eloquence with words, but the exposition of the Word that redounds to His glory. Our intention in the sermon is to accurately present the sacred text as though God Himself were speaking though us. It is not the messenger, but the message that matters.  That Word has transforming power. We cannot change people, but God can through His oracles—and thus, He receives all the glory.

OUR SERVICE SHOULD BE RELIANT ON GOD’S ABILITY. “If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability which God supplies.” If we want the honor of man, then we will offer them the help of a man—which will be of no eternal significance. Our passion should be for the honor of God, that He might help men and women with a power that is of enduring importance.  Church leaders are mere channels through which the mighty river of God’s blessing flows. No one is awed by a river bank, but focuses on the mighty stream that washes through it.

When servants of the Lord attend to these two matters, the result is: “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

EFFECTIVE CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Acts 20 presents a case study of effective church leadership in the manner, ministry, and model of the Apostle Paul. 

His manner was one of ENCOURAGING THE SERVANTS (v.1-6). The key words are “encouraging,” and “encouragement.”  This was a vital partnership, as we see the plurality of leadership, “disciples,’ and the list of names in Paul’s entourage that had become quite extensive. When there is effective leadership, others will be mentored and multiplied  in such an atmosphere of spiritual vitality.  God did not mean for us to minister in isolation, but reproduction. 

His ministry was one of EXPOUNDING THE SCRIPTURES (v.7-16). Paul, “talked with them,” “prolonged his speech,” and “he conversed with them a long while.”  This was a verbal proclamation. There are many duties a church leader must attend to, but at the core of all he does is communication. Early on, the church leadership refused to be diverted from this, “we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word,” (Acts 6:4). God blessed that and the church grew (6:7).

His model was one of EXEMPLIFYING THE STANDARDS (v.17-38). The fundamental phrase is, “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time.”  This was a visual pattern. Effective leaders consistently model ministry—practicing what they preach. There were tears, mentioned twice, in displaying a passion for ministry—his weeping. Paul did not just go through the motions, but displayed his emotions—a broken heart for hell-bound sinners.  There were trials, “the plots of the Jews,” “imprisonment and afflictions,” “fierce wolves.”  That is demonstrating  the problems in ministry—his warfare. Ministry launches an invasion of enemy territory and Satan will fight fiercely. There was testimony, referenced three times in these verses. That is declaring the proof of ministry—his witness. A witness has one task in court: to provide evidence in testifying the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth by the help of God, “for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God,” (v.27).

This is effective church leadership! 

PREACH LIKE JESUS

People gathered—not in an air conditioned auditorium in comfortable seats, but on a hillside in open air to sit on the grass—all to hear Jesus. They were captivated by His words and “astonished at his teaching.”  It was the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest Man who ever lived. 

We will not preach a sermon to compare to that one, but there are some things we can learn that will help us be more like Jesus in our preaching.  Let me begin with the foundational principle mentioned in these verses.  It is stated positively and negatively.

The negative aspect stated was, “not as their scribes.”  The manner of the scribes was to do meticulous research and ground their authority in what other scholars had said—to quote from this rabbi or that rabbi as they droned on. While there is nothing wrong with quoting commentators and doing research as to what others have said about the text, when we get up to preach it is likely no one will be impressed by the underpinnings of the sermonic house you have constructed. If you moved into a new home, would you expect to take people into the crawl space, shine a spotlight, and say to your friends, “Would you look at those floor joists! Man, they nailed them! Have you ever seen any like them?”  Rather, I would expect you to show them the rooms and furnishings where you will live.

That brings me to the positive dimension of this—that the people were impressed “for he was teaching them as one who had authority.”  Our Lord’s authority did not rest in human opinion about God, but in heavenly revelation of God. Now, before you protest that Jesus had the advantage of being God—I know.  He spoke directly from the Father for whatever the Father said to Him, He spoke. This we cannot claim and we cannot do.

Yet, we do have His Gospel. We have the Word of God. Our authority rests in God, if we begin with study of the text for God’s Spirit to teach us and guide us into all truth. Then as we preach, we expound the text—with illustration and application that connects eternal truth with the daily life of the audience. Jesus certainly did that—using salt and light to explain influence and fowl and flower to discuss faith, for instance.  People will respond to such clarity and authority.

Let us preach with the confidence that Christ indwells us to speak through us and that we have an authoritative Word that when proclaimed in the unction of the Spirit will make an impact.