Page 9 - Homiletics I Student Textbook

The Meaning of Expository Preaching

Consider the following definitions and descriptions of expository preaching. Note the common
themes of the message being sourced in the scriptures, derived carefully through sound exegesis,
and explained extensively with the goal of helping people to understand what God has said.

An expository discourse may be defined as one which is occupied mainly, or at any rate very
largely, with the exposition of Scripture. It by no means excludes argument and exhortation as to
the doctrines or lessons which the exposition develops. It may be devoted to a long passage, or to a
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very short one, even part of a sentence. It may be one of a series, or may stand by itself.

An expository sermon is one in which a more or less extended portion of Scripture is interpreted in
relation to one theme or central idea. The bulk of the material for the sermon is drawn directly
from the passage and the outline consists of a series of progressive ideas centered around that one
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main idea.

In summary, the following minimal elements identify expository preaching: 1) The message finds
its sole source in Scripture, 2) The message is extracted from Scripture through careful exegesis, 3)
The message preparation correctly interprets Scripture in its normal sense and its context, 4) The
message clearly explains the original God-intended meaning of Scripture, and 5) The message
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applies the Scriptural meaning for today.

. . . the technical definition of an expository sermon requires that it expound Scripture by deriving
from a specific text main points and subpoints that disclose the thought of the author, cover the
scope of the passage, and are applied to the lives of the listeners.
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Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted
through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy
Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through him to his
hearers.
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The Method of Expository Preaching

Expository preaching requires a thorough study of the passage of Scripture. An expository method
preaches the Bible in its natural divisions – sentences, paragraphs, and sections.

The preacher understands the historical context of the passage – what need or problem the original
recipients had. Expository preaching requires careful exegesis of the passage that enables the preacher
to understand what it meant to the original recipients. It attempts to comprehensively deal with the
passage. And it focuses on the main point of the passage stated with action verbs.

5 Broadus, John A., On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons, (New York: Harper and Row Publishers, 1944),
144.
6 Braga, James, How to Prepare Bible Messages, (Portland: Mulnoma, 1969), 36.
7 Mayhue, Richard L., “Rediscovering Expository Preaching,” Rediscovering Expository Preaching, (Nashville: W
Publishing Group, 1992), 12-13.
8 Chapell, Bryan, Christ-Centered Preaching, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002), 129.
9 Robinson, Haddon, Biblical Preaching, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981), 20.
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