Expository Exaltation: The Divine Power of Preaching

Devotional

Day 1: Preaching as a Divine Instrument of Salvation

Preaching is a divine appointment, a sacred duty ordained by God to save souls and guide them on the path to eternal life. It transcends human wisdom, serving as an instrument in God's hands to rescue people from perishing. The act of preaching is not merely about delivering a message; it is about participating in God's redemptive work. Through the "folly of preaching," as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 1:21, believers come to know God, not through human wisdom but through divine revelation. This highlights the power and purpose behind preaching, making it an essential tool for spiritual transformation and salvation. [01:24]

1 Corinthians 1:21 (ESV): "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe."

Reflection: Consider a time when a sermon or message deeply impacted your spiritual journey. How can you open your heart to receive God's truth through preaching this week?

Day 2: The Trinity as the Foundation of Preaching

The essence of preaching is rooted in the nature of God as a Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in perfect knowledge and love. This divine relationship is mirrored in us, as beings created in God's image, with the capacity to know and love Him. Preaching serves as the appointed means to unite these capacities in us, revealing God's truth and worth in a way that no other form of communication can. By understanding the Trinitarian nature of God, believers can appreciate the depth and richness of preaching as it reflects the glory and unity of the Godhead. [06:31]

John 17:21-23 (ESV): "That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."

Reflection: How does understanding the Trinity enhance your appreciation for the role of preaching in your life? In what ways can you reflect the unity and love of the Trinity in your relationships this week?

Day 3: Preaching as a Declaration of God's Word

Preaching is not merely teaching or discussing; it is a declaration, a heralding of God's word. It is a unique form of communication that God has appointed to awaken, strengthen, and preserve the church as a supernatural community of worship. Through expository exaltation, preaching brings out the reality of God's word and exalts over His worth, embodying and imparting worship and glorification to others. This makes preaching a glorious calling, essential for the life and growth of the church. [03:53]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: Reflect on how you can actively participate in the church's mission to declare God's word. What steps can you take this week to share the message of the gospel with someone in your life?

Day 4: Expository Exaltation as Worship

Through expository exaltation, preaching brings out the reality of God's word and exalts over His worth, embodying and imparting worship and glorification to others. It is a glorious calling, essential for the life and growth of the church. Preaching unites the capacities to know God's truth and love His worth, revealing His glory in a way that no other form of communication can. This divine means of communication awakens and strengthens the church, fostering a deeper appreciation for God's majesty and grace. [09:07]

Psalm 19:7-9 (ESV): "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of worship through the preaching you hear? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your response to God's word is one of exaltation and reverence?

Day 5: Preaching as a Unique Divine Communication

Preaching unites the capacities to know God's truth and love His worth, revealing His glory in a way that no other form of communication can. It is a divine means of communication that awakens and strengthens the church. By engaging with preaching, believers are invited to experience a deeper relationship with God, one that is rooted in both knowledge and love. This unique form of communication is vital for the spiritual vitality and growth of the church, as it continually points believers to the majesty and worth of God. [08:22]

Colossians 1:25-27 (ESV): "Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage with the preaching you hear to deepen your relationship with God? How can you apply the truths you learn to your daily life to reflect God's glory to those around you?

Sermon Summary

Preaching is a profound act of worship, a divine appointment that transcends mere communication. It is what I like to call "expository exaltation," a unique blend of revealing God's truth and rejoicing in His worth. Preaching is not just a task; it is a sacred duty that God has ordained to save souls and guide them on the path to eternal life. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:21, it is through the "folly of preaching" that we come to know God, not through human wisdom. This highlights the divine power and purpose behind preaching, making it an instrument in God's hands to rescue people from perishing.

The essence of preaching is deeply rooted in the nature of God Himself. God, as a Trinity, is a perfect knower and lover of His own glory. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in a relationship of perfect knowledge and love. This divine relationship is mirrored in us, as beings created in God's image, with the capacity to know and love Him. Preaching, therefore, serves as the appointed means to unite these capacities in us, revealing God's truth and worth in a way that no other form of communication can.

Preaching is not merely teaching or discussing; it is a declaration, a heralding of God's word. It is a unique form of communication that God has appointed to awaken, strengthen, and preserve the church as a supernatural community of worship. Through expository exaltation, preaching brings out the reality of God's word and exalts over His worth, embodying and imparting worship and glorification to others. It is a glorious calling, essential for the life and growth of the church.

In this series, we will explore the depths of preaching as worship, understanding its significance and power in the life of the church. We will delve into the nature of God and how preaching reflects His glory, aiming to awaken a deeper appreciation for this divine appointment.

Key Takeaways

1. Preaching is a divine appointment, a sacred duty that God has ordained to save souls and guide them on the path to eternal life. It transcends human wisdom, serving as an instrument in God's hands to rescue people from perishing. [01:24]
2. The essence of preaching is rooted in the nature of God as a Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in perfect knowledge and love. This divine relationship is mirrored in us, as beings created in God's image, with the capacity to know and love Him. [06:31]
3. Preaching is not merely teaching or discussing; it is a declaration, a heralding of God's word. It is a unique form of communication that God has appointed to awaken, strengthen, and preserve the church as a supernatural community of worship. [03:53]
4. Through expository exaltation, preaching brings out the reality of God's word and exalts over His worth, embodying and imparting worship and glorification to others. It is a glorious calling, essential for the life and growth of the church. [09:07]
5. Preaching unites the capacities to know God's truth and love His worth, revealing His glory in a way that no other form of communication can. It is a divine means of communication that awakens and strengthens the church. [08:22]
** [08:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Preaching as Worship
[00:43] - The Folly of Preaching
[01:24] - The Weight of Preaching
[02:04] - Unsearchable Riches of Christ
[02:21] - Preach the Word
[03:17] - The Seriousness of Preaching
[03:36] - Preaching vs. Other Ministries
[04:30] - The Nature of God
[05:28] - God as Perfect Knower
[06:31] - God as Perfect Lover
[07:38] - Created in God's Image
[08:22] - Expository Exaltation
[09:46] - The Uniqueness of Preaching
[10:20] - The Glorious Calling of Preaching
[10:44] - Conclusion and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1 Corinthians 1:21 - "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe."
Ephesians 3:8 - "Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ."
2 Timothy 4:1-2 - "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."

Observation Questions:

According to 1 Corinthians 1:21, what is the role of preaching in God's plan for salvation? How does this align with the sermon’s description of preaching as a divine appointment? [01:02]
In Ephesians 3:8, Paul speaks of preaching the "unsearchable riches of Christ." What does this phrase suggest about the content and purpose of preaching? [02:04]
How does 2 Timothy 4:1-2 emphasize the seriousness and urgency of preaching? What elements in the passage highlight its importance? [02:40]
The sermon describes preaching as "expository exaltation." What does this term mean, and how does it differentiate preaching from other forms of communication? [08:44]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of "the folly of preaching" in 1 Corinthians 1:21 challenge our understanding of wisdom and knowledge in the context of faith? [01:02]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that preaching is rooted in the nature of God as a Trinity? How does this understanding impact the way we view the act of preaching? [04:30]
The sermon mentions that preaching is a unique form of communication that God has appointed. Why might God choose preaching as the primary means to awaken and strengthen the church? [04:11]
How does the idea of preaching as a "glorious calling" influence the way we perceive the role of preachers and their responsibilities within the church? [10:20]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when a sermon significantly impacted your spiritual journey. What elements of that preaching resonated with you, and how did it guide you closer to God? [01:24]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of preaching in revealing God's truth and worth. How can you prepare your heart and mind to receive and respond to God's word during sermons? [08:22]
Considering the description of preaching as "expository exaltation," how can you apply this concept to your personal study of the Bible? What steps can you take to both understand and rejoice in God's word? [08:44]
How can you support and encourage the preachers in your church to continue their "glorious calling"? Are there specific ways you can pray for or assist them in their ministry? [10:20]
The sermon suggests that preaching is essential for the life and growth of the church. How can you actively participate in fostering a community that values and prioritizes the preaching of God's word? [10:06]
Reflect on the idea that preaching unites the capacities to know God's truth and love His worth. How can you cultivate these capacities in your daily life and interactions with others? [08:22]
In what ways can you share the "unsearchable riches of Christ" with those around you, even if you are not a preacher? Identify one person you can reach out to this week with the message of Christ's love. [02:04]

Sermon Clips

"Preaching is the means that God is appointed in spite of the inadequacy of the wisdom of man to save people from Everlasting destruction. I mean what could be weightier what could be more glorious than to say that the task of preaching is to become the instrument in the hands of The Sovereign God to rescue people from perishing and help them stay on the road that leads to life." [00:01:14]

"Preaching is a great thing I mean think of it 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 21 since in the wisdom of God it pleased God that the world world not know God through its wisdom rather we know him through the Folly of preaching that we might be saved." [00:00:43]

"Preaching is not the same as teaching it's not the same as sharing it's not the same as discussing it is declaring and heralding and proclaiming like a town crier we're going to talk about that it's not the same as any other form of communication it is unique God has appointed it to do things nothing else can do." [00:03:36]

"Preaching is the appointed means of communication that unlike any other unites those two in the regular Ministry of the revelation of God to a people that's why I call it expository exaltation expository it brings out the truth of God and it exalts over the worth of God." [00:08:22]

"Preaching is a great thing it's not the only thing you're going to hear me say very plainly in this series that there are other absolutely crucial Dimensions to Ministry both for the preacher and for the church but it is a great thing and I would argue an essential thing." [00:03:17]

"Preaching as a glorious thing there is nothing like it in the world and I think God has a appointed it for the Awakening and the strengthening and the preservation of a supernatural Community called the worshiping church." [00:10:20]

"Preaching is a great thing or Paul says in Ephesians chapter 3:8 we preach the unsearchable riches of Christ how many people get to spend their lives dealing with unsearchable riches that's what preachers do we spend our lives living in unsearchable Riches of Christ and praying and working to help make them plain for other people." [00:02:04]

"Preaching is the appointed means of communication that unlike any other unites those two in the regular Ministry of the revelation of God to a people that's why I call it expository exaltation expository it brings out the truth of God and it exalts over the worth of God." [00:08:22]

"Preaching is a great thing it's not the only thing you're going to hear me say very plainly in this series that there are other absolutely crucial Dimensions to Ministry both for the preacher and for the church but it is a great thing and I would argue an essential thing." [00:03:17]

"Preaching is a great thing or Paul says in Ephesians chapter 3:8 we preach the unsearchable riches of Christ how many people get to spend their lives dealing with unsearchable riches that's what preachers do we spend our lives living in unsearchable Riches of Christ and praying and working to help make them plain for other people." [00:02:04]

"Preaching is the appointed means of communication that unlike any other unites those two in the regular Ministry of the revelation of God to a people that's why I call it expository exaltation expository it brings out the truth of God and it exalts over the worth of God." [00:08:22]

"Preaching is a great thing it's not the only thing you're going to hear me say very plainly in this series that there are other absolutely crucial Dimensions to Ministry both for the preacher and for the church but it is a great thing and I would argue an essential thing." [00:03:17]

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