In Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ book Preaching and Preachers, he states, “The primary task of the Church and of the Christian minister is the preaching of the Word of God.”1 If this is true, then it is essential for both the church and the minister to have a thorough understanding of preaching. What is it? Who is it for? Is there only one, proper way to preach? These questions (and many more) reveal what one really thinks about preaching.
The purpose of this article is to offer a brief theology of preaching. Undoubtedly, much more could be said! But I will attempt to offer a brief theology of preaching by answering the following questions: What is preaching? Who is preaching for? How is preaching different from teaching? What is expository preaching? And why is it preferred? I agree with Lloyd Jones’ sentiments that preaching is the primary task of both the church and the minister. I hope that after reading this short article, you will too.
What Is Preaching?
Preaching is the authoritative proclamation of the Word of God. A preacher or “kerux” (Greek transliteration of κηρυξ) in biblical times was a herald or messenger bestowed with authority on behalf of kings, magistrates, or public officials to speak their message. We see Paul call himself a kerux in 1 Timothy 2:7, where he says, “For this I was appointed a preacher (kerux) and an apostle,” and again in 2 Timothy, where he says, “For which I was appointed a preacher (kerux) and an apostle and a teacher.” Therefore, a preacher, in biblical terms, is one who heralds or proclaims God’s message with God’s authority. The preacher does not have authority in his own right, but his authority is derived from the message he proclaims, namely, God’s Word.
Who Is Preaching for?
This question could be answered in different ways based on different situations in which preaching occurs. Some preaching is primarily focused on non-believers. We see Paul doing this at Mars Hill in Acts 17. In our modern context, this type of preaching happens at evangelistic rallies, youth events, Sunday evening services, and in unhealthy churches, where the primary audience is the unbeliever on Sunday mornings. Most preaching, however, is focused upon edifying and equipping believers (Eph. 4:11-16), and this largely occurs during the Sunday morning gathering. In short, preaching is for all people, but the primary recipients will be those already following Christ at a local church.
How Is Preaching Different from Teaching?
There are sundry answers given to try and answer this question. Some have said that preaching is fiery and passionate, whereas teaching is calm and explanatory. Others have said that preaching is simpler, whereas teaching is more complex. Other unhelpful explanations could be mentioned, but the difference between the two is not as complicated as one might think. All preaching must include teaching. If one simply works up meaningless emotion not built on truth, then nothing substantial will ever be accomplished. However, if preaching includes teaching, then what is the difference? If teaching is explaining or illuminating a text or truth, then preaching is explaining or illuminating a text or truth in a proclamatory manner with an attempt to move or persuade the listener. In other words, teaching is explanation, while preaching is explanation coupled with persuasion.
What Is Expository Preaching?
Expository preaching is explaining the original meaning of a text of Scripture and applying that text appropriately to the lives of the modern audience. As Jason Allen has said, “[Expository preaching is] to rightly interpret and explain the text, in its context, and to bring the text to bear on the lives of the congregants.”2
Expository preaching differs from topical preaching in that topical preaching starts with a topic, and then finds a text or several texts that support that topic. Expository preaching starts with a text and then seeks to explain and apply that text. Topical preaching from multiple texts is hard to do well because when one begins to bounce around from text to text in hopes to confirm what they are wanting to say, it is more probable that the texts will be misinterpreted outside of their original context. However, it should be said that a helpful way to preach topical sermons is to preach them expositionally, meaning choose one text where the main point of the text is what you are trying to address, and then preach that text faithfully from its original context.
Why Is Expository Preaching Preferred?
Here are at least 8 reasons expository preaching is the preferable form of preaching:
- Expository preaching affirms a high view of Scripture. If we truly believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, then our primary task should be to walk through the text explaining every part and how it applies to our listener’s lives.
- Expository preaching matures a congregation most. There is a trickle-down effect from the pulpit to the pew. A church that has a pulpit that honors the text will lead to a people that honor the text. It lets the people see the many facets of Scripture, and it brings all aspects of Scripture to bear on the hearers.
- Expository preaching teaches the congregation how to read and study their Bible. Faithful expository preaching should leave the listener thinking, “I see exactly how my preacher came to that conclusion. It makes perfect sense considering the context…” This type of preaching breeds confidence that the person in the pew can read their Bible on their own.
- Expository preaching ensures the sermon’s relevance. Contrary to popular opinion, relevant sermons fall out of date extremely fast. Life and cultural events change in the blink of an eye. Therefore, sermons should not be from the culture but from the text. The more textual sermons are the more perennial the sermon is. In other words, sermons should not have a sell-by date.
- Expository preaching most matures the preacher as a man of God. Accurate Biblical exposition isn’t easy. It takes time to build the outline, craft the sermon, and apply it to the congregation. This rigorous study has (or at least should have!) an effect on the preacher. It is hard to walk in disobedience when constantly pouring over the text of Scripture.
- Expository preaching most optimally stewards the preacher’s time. The preacher doesn’t have to spend any unnecessary time searching for a text. The preaching text is largely preset. So, the pastor can pick up where he left off and immediately begin work on the next sermon.
- Expository preaching displays balance in the pulpit. In other words, expository preaching keeps the preacher from “hobbyhorse” preaching. If done well, the preacher will be forced to “take the text as it lies,” and it will make it harder for him to make every sermon sound the same.
- Expository preaching forces the preacher to preach on difficult issues that he could normally avoid in topical preaching. All of God’s Word is inspired and should be proclaimed from the pulpit. Expository preaching forces the preacher to be faithful to handle all texts, not just the “feel good” ones.
Conclusion
If preaching is the primary task of the church and the minister, as Lloyd-Jones said, then we must take it seriously. It will not be sufficient for the church to flounder on any of the above questions. Therefore, we must know what preaching is, who it is for, how it is to be faithfully done, etc. Finally, after all these questions are answered (even if briefly!), the final question is “Will there be faithful men to put in the hard work to do it well?”
1 D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 26.
2 Jason K. Allen, Letters to My Students: Preaching, Vol. 1 (Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2019), 38.