Expository preaching, what it is and what is is not (or should not be)…

There are different styles of preaching and different ways that certain preachers might approach a passage of Scripture, or a topic, as they consider standing before a congregation and preaching. Over the years I’ve become convinced of the need for and benefit of expository preaching. Expository preaching is when a preacher takes the main point of a passage as his own and works through a book of the Bible.

Maybe when you read that last sentence certain stereotypes came to mind; boring, dull, monotone, academic, etc. But I’d like you to hear me out. Here is what I think expository preaching is and why it’s important and what it is not…

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Interview; Exposit the Word

One of the things that I’ve been convinced of over the last number of years is the benefit and necessity for expository preaching, preaching consecutively through books of the Bible and letting the text shape your sermon. One of the ministries that I’ve come to know in the past few months is Exposit the Word. Here is an interview with David Knight, the founder of Exposit The Word. I hope that this will help give you a behind the scenes look into Exposit the Word and an insight into the importance of Biblical teaching.

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Context keeps you right… or at least it should!

One of the blessings of being a native English speaker is that I have the Bible, God’s Word, in my own language and in so many different translations. This is a privilege that many people can take for granted. I worry that many Christians today have become numb to the joy and honour that it is to have the Bible in our own language and that we have the freedom to read it. There are many problems that come from this approach to Scripture, one of them is that we might be tempted to be over confident and look for what we want in the Bible, rather than trying to discern what it actually says. Why is this such a problem? Well, let’s have a wee think about that…

Continue reading “Context keeps you right… or at least it should!”

Hard Sayings… Malachi – “Jacob I have loved, Esau I have hated”

I recently had the privilege of opening up God’s Word and teaching from Malachi 1:1-5. This short passage, and the whole book, is wonderful but what we read in v2-3a can make some people feel uncomfortable. How do we tackle such difficult passages? Let’s have a very brief look at it together. This is not a comprehensive study, but just the ramblings of a servant trying to glorify the Lord. Continue reading “Hard Sayings… Malachi – “Jacob I have loved, Esau I have hated””

When marriage isn’t a bed of roses…

There are so many books out there on the topic of marriage. Some books are written about how to prepare for marriage and some about Scriptures teaching on marriage. But many books on marriage seem to give the idea that marriage is always perfect and happy. Here are two books on some of the difficulties of marriage. These books are very different; one is for couples to help them walk through the storms of life together, and the other is for pastors and church leaders to think about how to understand and deal with domestic abuse. Whilst these books are very different, I’ve put them in the one post because they are both about marriage and they both highlight the importance of having a marriage relationship that is rooted in Scripture.Continue reading “When marriage isn’t a bed of roses…”

Saturday Snippets (May 16)

Here are some of the articles that I’ve read recently and have found interesting, helpful, challenging and encouraging. I hope that they will be the same for you, my dear readers.

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Dear Pastor, Theologian & Author, simple is generally better!

I read tons of books of all kinds; some academic, some study books, some theological books for the ‘average Joe’ and some general Christian life books. I listen to lots of sermons; some conference addresses, some seminary graduation addresses, but the majority probably in the church service context. So often I hear pastors, theologians and authors use language that no other human being would ever dream of using in real life. Why do I think that this is a problem? Here are a few reasons…Continue reading “Dear Pastor, Theologian & Author, simple is generally better!”

Finding the Right Hills to Die On…

If you know me at all then you’ll know that I quite enjoy a good theological discussion, a good theological debate. I’ve spent hours over the years talking about, learning about and defending certain points of doctrine which has all been good fun. One of the interesting things over the years has been how my theology has changed, all of those changes have taken place because I was convinced by Scripture not because I was won over by a certain rhetoric. But this has meant that one of the phrases I’ve probably used a lot in recent years is “it’s not a hill I’m going to die on”.

Theology is hugely important and every single person who has thoughts about God is a theologian, the pressing issue then is that we all try to be the best theologians we can be! Continue reading “Finding the Right Hills to Die On…”

Saturday Snippets (May 9)

Here are some of the articles that I’ve read recently and have found interesting, helpful, challenging and encouraging. I hope that they will be the same for you, my dear readers.

Continue reading “Saturday Snippets (May 9)”