The
revelation of God gives meaning, purpose, context to time, space, and eternity,
to man and God. It gives meaning to sickness, hope, and even happiness in the
face of theodicy, and the questions of suffering.
6.
Expository Preaching is the Power of the Pastorate because it is Personally
Edifying.
The
call to preach the Word is a blessing. Each week we come to the text, and we
are fed by it, hopefully, before we give it to others. I know the James 3 warning
against being teachers, but we also know the words of Paul — this Word will
"make you wise for salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15). We will save ourselves
as well as those who hear us.
Advertisement
I
must say this, also. When we are about the work of expository preaching in the
pastorate, the work carries us along in a sense. Week-in and week-out, we develop
a discipline of study, for to preach the Word of God line-upon-line, precept-upon-precept,
demands time, struggle, and prayer. I know that in this room, your heads and
hearts are turning, perhaps not over this address, but over the portion of Scripture
that you must deliver this week. Is there anything as rewarding in life as unburdening
your soul in that movement when you approach the sacred desk and open up the
Bible? Expository preaching feeds my soul. I know of no other way to put it.
But more than that:
7.
Expository Preaching is the Power of the Pastorate because it is Constantly
Challenging.
To
present the mind of Christ in a text requires much of us, does it not? I once
heard a preacher say that every time he preached, a little piece of him died.
I am sure there are those for whom that is true because they are tired of preaching,
or they will know that they will get ripped to pieces at the front door of the
church. But this man was speaking about preaching in a way that I can identify
with. Like you, to preach the mind of God, to go through the necessary steps
to get there, then to emotionally discharge the holy calling on your life through
the act of expositing a text is the most challenging thing in the world. It
takes your very life.
I
was once in a seminar with Dr. D. James Kennedy where seminary students got
to ask him anything they wanted. One asked, "Dr. Kennedy, what is the most
challenging thing you have ever done in the ministry?" His answer was,
"Prepare next Sunday's sermon." Can I get an "Amen" on that?
We all know it is true. We all know that such rigorous preaching cut short the
life of John Calvin. It must be balanced with recreation and separation unto
God in quiet prayer and reflection. We all know that to constantly face the
Word of God each and every week, sometimes three or four times each week, is
overwhelming at times. But for those called to do so, it is a response to a
calling to an amazing love that demands my soul, my life, my all. Would you
really want it any other way.