Reviving Expository Preaching for Deeper Scriptural Understanding

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Expository Preaching for Holistic Understanding

Expository preaching is a method that involves a thorough exploration of Scripture, presenting the full context and meaning of passages. This approach, deeply rooted in early Christian practices, ensures that the congregation receives a comprehensive view of biblical teachings. By focusing on lengthy passages rather than isolated verses, expository preaching allows for a more profound understanding of doctrinal, practical, and experiential truths. This method not only enriches personal Bible study but also enhances the collective understanding of the congregation, making the Word of God accessible and meaningful to all. [03:01]

Nehemiah 8:8 (ESV): "They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading."

Reflection: How can you incorporate a more expository approach in your personal Bible study this week, focusing on understanding the broader context of the passages you read?

Day 2: The Power of Contextual Understanding

Understanding Scripture in its full context is crucial for illuminating obscure passages and making them accessible to everyone. By providing context and explanation, we can enrich personal Bible study and enhance the collective understanding of the congregation. This approach prevents a fragmented understanding of the Bible, much like showing a house by displaying individual bricks. Instead, it allows us to see the full picture, leading to a deeper appreciation and comprehension of biblical teachings. [04:18]

Acts 17:11 (ESV): "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

Reflection: Think of a Bible passage you find challenging. How can you explore its context this week to gain a clearer understanding of its message?

Day 3: The Role of Commenting in Services

Commenting during Scripture reading in services offers an opportunity to address significant topics that might not warrant a full sermon. This practice ensures that the congregation receives a well-rounded view of Scripture, touching on all aspects of revelation. It encourages ministers to delve deeper into their studies, fostering a more profound understanding of the Word. By addressing various topics through comments, the congregation can gain insights into different aspects of their faith, enriching their spiritual journey. [06:24]

1 Timothy 4:13 (ESV): "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of commenting on Scripture in your personal or group Bible study to address topics that are often overlooked?

Day 4: Diligent Study and Original Languages

Embracing diligent study, including learning the original languages of the Bible, helps prevent misinterpretations and ensures that the true intent of the Scriptures is conveyed. Tools like concordances and commentaries are invaluable in this endeavor, providing insights and connections that might otherwise be overlooked. By committing to a deeper study of the Word, we can convey its true meaning and intent, leading to a more accurate and enriching understanding of Scripture. [12:05]

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Reflection: What steps can you take this week to deepen your study of the Bible, perhaps by exploring its original languages or using study tools like commentaries?

Day 5: Making the Word Applicable

Our ultimate goal is to make the Word of God plain and applicable to the lives of our listeners. By doing so, we not only educate but also inspire and transform, leading our congregations to a deeper love and understanding of the Scriptures. This involves not just understanding the text but also applying its teachings to everyday life, allowing the Word to guide and shape our actions and decisions. [26:02]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: Identify one teaching from Scripture that you can apply to your life today. How will you put it into practice this week?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound importance of expository preaching and the art of commenting on Scripture. Historically, preaching was deeply rooted in exposition, where lengthy passages were read and explained, allowing the congregation to grasp the full context and meaning of the text. This method, akin to the practices of early Christian worship and the synagogue, emphasized the importance of understanding Scripture as a whole rather than isolating verses. The modern trend of focusing on short texts often leads to a fragmented understanding, much like showing a house by displaying individual bricks.

Expository preaching, though less common today, is crucial for conveying the full breadth of biblical teaching. It allows for a comprehensive exploration of doctrinal, practical, and experiential truths. By providing context and explanation, we can illuminate obscure passages, making them accessible and meaningful to all, regardless of their level of literacy or familiarity with the Bible. This approach not only enriches personal Bible study but also enhances the collective understanding of the congregation.

Moreover, the practice of commenting during Scripture reading in services is invaluable. It offers an opportunity to address topics that might not warrant a full sermon but are nonetheless significant. This method ensures that the congregation receives a well-rounded view of Scripture, touching on all aspects of revelation. It also encourages ministers to delve deeper into their studies, fostering a more profound understanding of the Word.

In our journey to become effective expositors, we must embrace diligent study, including learning the original languages of the Bible. This knowledge helps prevent misinterpretations and ensures that we convey the true intent of the Scriptures. Additionally, the use of tools like concordances and commentaries can greatly aid in this endeavor, providing insights and connections that might otherwise be overlooked.

Ultimately, our goal is to make the Word of God plain and applicable to the lives of our listeners. By doing so, we not only educate but also inspire and transform, leading our congregations to a deeper love and understanding of the Scriptures.

Key Takeaways

1. rounded view of Scripture, touching on all aspects of revelation. [06:24]
4. Diligent Study and Original Languages: Embracing diligent study, including learning the original languages of the Bible, helps prevent misinterpretations and ensures the true intent of the Scriptures is conveyed. Tools like concordances and commentaries are invaluable in this endeavor.

5. Making the Word Applicable: Our ultimate goal is to make the Word of God plain and applicable to the lives of our listeners. By doing so, we educate, inspire, and transform, leading our congregations to a deeper love and understanding of the Scriptures.

** [06:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Commentating
[00:29] - Historical Context of Expository Preaching
[01:14] - Synagogue Practices and Early Christian Worship
[02:01] - The Limitations of Short Text Preaching
[03:01] - Necessity of Expository Preaching Today
[04:18] - Importance of Contextual Understanding
[05:09] - Benefits of Commenting in Services
[06:24] - Encouragement for Diligent Study
[07:12] - Addressing Sins and Virtues Through Scripture
[08:53] - Comprehensive View of Revelation
[09:42] - The Role of Original Languages
[11:34] - Tools for Effective Exposition
[12:21] - Avoiding Misinterpretations
[13:11] - The Value of Commentaries
[14:23] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What historical practices of preaching were highlighted in the sermon, and how do they differ from modern preaching methods? [00:29]
How does the sermon describe the role of commenting during Scripture reading in services? [06:24]
What tools and methods are suggested in the sermon for preventing misinterpretations of Scripture? [12:05]
According to the sermon, what is the ultimate goal of making the Word of God plain and applicable? [26:02]

Interpretation Questions

How does the practice of expository preaching contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Scripture, according to the sermon? [03:01]
In what ways does providing context and explanation during Scripture reading enhance the congregation's understanding, as discussed in the sermon? [04:18]
What are the potential consequences of neglecting diligent study and the original languages of the Bible, as mentioned in the sermon? [12:05]
How does the sermon suggest that making the Word of God applicable can inspire and transform congregations? [26:02]

Application Questions

Reflect on your personal Bible study habits. How can you incorporate more expository reading to gain a deeper understanding of Scripture?
Think of a time when a sermon or Bible study helped you understand a difficult passage. How did the context and explanation provided make a difference in your understanding? [04:18]
What steps can you take to ensure you are not misinterpreting Scripture in your personal study or when sharing with others? Consider the tools and methods mentioned in the sermon. [12:05]
How can you apply the practice of commenting during Scripture reading in your own Bible study or when leading a group? [06:24]
Identify a specific area in your life where you can make the Word of God more applicable. What changes can you make to align your actions with biblical teachings? [26:02]
Consider the importance of learning the original languages of the Bible. How might this knowledge impact your understanding and teaching of Scripture? [12:05]
How can you encourage others in your community to embrace expository preaching and diligent study of the Bible? What role can you play in fostering a deeper love and understanding of the Scriptures? [03:01]

Sermon Clips

Preaching in the olden time consisted very much more of exposition than it does now. I suppose that the sermons of the Primitive Christians were for the most part expositions of lengthy passages of the Old Testament, and when copies of the gospels and the Epistles of Paul had become accessible to the churches, the chief work of the preacher would be to press home the apostolical teachings by delivering an address the backbone of which would be a complete passage of scripture. [00:00:19]

The present plan of preaching from short texts together with the great neglect of commenting publicly upon the word is very unsatisfactory. We cannot expect to deliver much of the teaching of Holy Scripture by picking out verse by verse and holding these up at random. The process resembles that of showing a house by exhibiting separate bricks. [00:02:03]

Nowadays since expository preaching is not so common as it ought to be, there is the more necessity for our commenting during the time of our reading the scriptures. Since topical preaching, hortatory preaching, experiential preaching, and so on, all exceedingly useful in their way, have almost pushed proper expository preaching out of place, there is therefore the more need that we should, when we read passages of holy writ, habitually give running comment upon them. [00:02:57]

If but a few explanatory words are thrown in by a judicious reader, it is wonderful how luminous obscure portions may be made. Two or three sentences will often reveal the drift of a whole chapter. The key of a great difficulty may be presented to the hearer in half a score of words, and thus the public reading may be made abundantly profitable. [00:04:21]

Besides, if you are in the habit of commenting, it will give you an opportunity of saying many things which are not of sufficient importance to become the theme of a whole sermon and therefore would probably remain unnoticed to the great loss of the Lord's people and others. It is astounding what a range of Truth, doctrinal, practical, and experiential, holy scripture brings before us. [00:06:36]

A man to comment well should be able to read the Bible in the original. Every Minister should aim at a tolerable proficiency both in the Hebrew and the Greek. These two languages will give him a library at a small expense, an inexhaustible thesaurus, a mine of spiritual wealth. [00:11:32]

The exercise of your own mind is most healthful to you, and by perseverance with Divine help, you may expect to get at the meaning of every understandable passage. So to rely upon your own abilities as to be unwilling to learn from others is clearly Folly. So to study others as not to judge for yourself is imbecility. [00:20:11]

Your business is to make the word plain. In Lombardy, I observed great heaps of huge stones in the fields which have been gathered out from the soil by diligent hands to make room for the crops. Your duty is to gather out the stones and leave the fruitful field of scripture for your people to till. [00:25:03]

The chief part of your commenting, however, should consist in applying the truth to the hearts of your hearers. For He Who merely comprehends the meaning of the letter without understanding how it bears upon the hearts and consciences of men is like a man who causes the Bellows of an organ to be blown and then fails to place his fingers on the keys. [00:26:24]

Never open the Bible in the Pulpit to read the chapter for the first time, but go to the familiar page after many rehearsals. You'll be doubly useful if, in addition to this, you gave the sense. You will then, by God's blessing, be the pastor of an intelligent Bible-loving people. [00:35:32]

The spirit who inspired Holy Scripture lives forever, and he Delights to open up the word to those who seek his instruction. He is always accessible. He dwelleth with you and shall be in you. Go to him for yourselves and cry, open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. [00:36:33]

Commentaries, expositions, interpretations are all mere scaffolding. The Holy Ghost himself must edify you and help you to build up the Church of the Living God. [00:37:16]

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