Comments on: Stop Preaching Hot-Button Issues

By: Shayne Umana

Shayne Umana — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:09:20 +0000

I agree that “expository” preaching is important and necessary. However we cannot ignore the leading and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT in our ministration to GOD’s people. We must always remember that we can preach the word without the “unction” of the HOLY SPIRIT. He is the one who is “Lord” in the church. It is possible to preach the Word without the “unction”. 2 Cor 3:6. Also Isaiah 28:10 says “For precept must be upon precept….line upon line ….and here a little, there a little….” I believe we need to do what the whole counsel of the Scripture teaches. I have heard people emphasize expository preaching as if to say that is the only way to minister. Agreed that when ministers preach on hot topics to be relevant they are being led by the flesh. Now, there will be times when one will have no particular leading of the HOLY SPIRIT to minister along a particular line. At these times it is always good to preach the Scriptures.

By: Jeff Turner

Jeff Turner — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:28:05 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more! There is nothing more ackward to watch than pastors desperately trying to be “culturally relevant” whilst armed with nothing but wikipedia knowledge. I’m also a guilty party when it comes to this topic…I’m a youth pastor, what can I say? I’m not necessarily a mostly “expository” preacher, nor do I think it’s the best or the only way, but I do absolutely concur with you on this! Truth must be wielded and preached by the unction of the Spirit, in harmony with the testimony of Jesus and in it’s right and Biblical context. Anytime I’ve stepped out of those bounds and tried to “tackle cultural giants”, it’s seemed to be an epic fail! I was told my attempted “dating series”, given last February, was as refreshiung as licking sandpaper. Thanks for continually writing challenging and “against the grain” stuff to challenge us with!

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:52:21 +0000

Thanks, Mike. And thanks for your labor in the gospel over in Russia. So important.

By: Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:44:51 +0000

Just today at the drug rehab where I teach every week I had a young man say ” everything I know about Christ, I learned from you”. Wow this really frightened me. Am I preaching the Word or something else? Do I handle Scripture carefully and not just proof text?

In Russia I see a lot of proof texting out of context sermons – I am trying o pass on a legacy of expositional teaching of the Scriptures – thanks for this post Matt

By: Tammie

Tammie — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:48:58 +0000

Great point Matt, often we deal with the behaviors and God uses the Word to deal with the heart. Just thinking about a comment that Piper made how he preached once on the Holiness of God purposefully not giving any application. A family that was going through a really hard time (he didn’t know about it at the time). The dad came up later and said that was just what he needed to hear. However, not something he would have given had he known this family’s situation. Good words as I think of planning the women’s bible studies this fall.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:46:22 +0000

Ah, expository preaching! It makes one deal with the text (even the hard stuff). Keep the faith, Matt.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:01:03 +0000

Good advice – more Scripture, in context, less text proofing. The problem for most preachers is that this takes work/study

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:50:11 +0000

@Shaun: “This way, one only has to say if someone felt picked on, “It was not me, it was God’s timing to use the text as He chooses.”

Shaun, thanks for pointing this out. It was a point I forgot to make.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:47:04 +0000

Matt,

It is sound advice. On the one hand, you can damage relationships by always preaching at people or preach God’s truth in His time. This way, one only has to say if someone felt picked on, “It was not me, it was God’s timing to use the text as He chooses.

One does need to be careful with the use of illustrations though when it comes to explaining the text.

Shaun