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Is expository preaching the only way to go? What about topical preaching and textual preaching? In this episode, we share pretty strong opinions on this but we feel we have Scriptural backing on the issue.
We also spend some time clarifying what expository preaching really is.
Expository preaching as defined by some greats that are mentioned in this episode:
Expository preaching is the presentation of biblical truth derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, Spirit-guided study of a passage in its context which the Holy Spirit applies first to the life of the preacher and then, through him, to his congregation. — Haddon Robinson
Expository preaching is the Spirit-empowered explanation and proclamation of the text of God’s Word with due regard to the historical, grammatical, contextual and doctrinal significance of the given passage with the specific objective of invoking a Christ-transforming response. — Stephen Olford
22 October 2008 at 7:24 am
Although I do believe expository preaching is great, is it really the “most” Biblical way to preach? How do you explain the most famous sermon in the Bible, the Sermon on the Mount, which was very topical and referenced numerous Old Testament texts?
26 October 2008 at 8:25 pm
Mike, Good question.
The difference is that the Sermon on the Mount was delivered by Jesus, the enfleshed Word of God Himself. If I was infallible, as He was, then I could preach topically as a norm.
Keep in mind that even in an expository message, one can and will often reference numerous other texts.
15 January 2009 at 12:31 pm
Where would you place Textual style or are you lumping Textual in with Expository? Where would the differences between these two styles lay?
Mike H.