Expository Preaching
In our digital, fast-paced information age, why should we center our Christian lives on the weekly reading and exposition of the Bible? In Expository Preaching, David Strain shows the basic biblical and theological foundations of preaching.
Sola Scriptura
Beginning with the claim that the Bible is the Word of God, Strain furthers that it must be also be inerrant, authoritative, sufficient, clear. Moreover, it is Christ-centered – as Jesus is the only way of salvation for sinners. In the Old Testament, preaching and teaching were central to the health of Israel. The dawn of the New Covenant era was heralded by a great renewal of preaching in the New Testament. When it comes to the Reformation, the championing of Sola Scriptura means that the Word of God must rule in the life and teaching of the church.
In Chapter 2, Why Exposition Preaching?, Strain shares 11 reasons why pastors should pursue expositional preaching: (1) Expositional preaching honors God by respecting how he has revealed himself to us, (2) it highlights the coherence and unity of the Bible, (3) it best promotes the work of Christian formation, (4) it shows that the power is in the Word, (5) it submits to the authority of the Word, (6) it offers respite from the concerns and burdens of the world, (7) it models how to read the Bible, (8) it guards against hobby horses, (9) it bonds pastor and flock over time, (10) it follows the best examples of Christian history, and (11) it meets our need to know Christ.
Preaching is Worship
I was most interested in seeing Strain describe expository preaching as spiritual “slow food.” I also appreciated the short section on Chrysostom, Calvin, and Lloyd-Jones – historical heroes that modeled expository preaching. I loved the bluntness and boldness in the following statement from Chapter 4 regarding preaching and the church: “In Reformed churches, preaching is both the center and the high point of worship.” I learned that preaching is God’s primary instrument of evangelism as well as the principle means of discipleship. I saw that preaching is worship, and it is intimately connected to evangelism and discipleship.
The book gets practical in Chapter 4 in showing how the pastor and congregation can get the most out of expositional preaching. We should prepare to hear the word, become active listeners, and begin to bear fruit. In the Q&A section, Strain is quick and eager to say that there is a place for topical sermons. I was challenged to see that topical sermons still have the ability to be expository.
How are They to Hear?
As I am writing this review, I am planning to begin preaching monthly in our youth service at church. I feel the weight of the ministry of the Word. But I also see the privilege that comes with preaching. This book has helped me to feel better prepared. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
I received a media copy of Expository Preaching and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.