What I’m Trying to Do When I Preach and How
Got to start with Definitions
Volumes and volumes have been written on preaching and what it is. Many recent discussions are centered around models of preaching—expository, textual, topical, etc. The TLDR version is that I tend to practice a dominantly exegetical, expository model.
To keep it short and sweet, I agree with H. B. Charles’s definition of expository preaching: “Expository preaching explains what the text means by what it says, seeking to exhort the hearers to trust and obey the God-intended message of the text. It is preaching in which the point of the message is rooted in, aligns with, and flows from the primary meaning of the sermon text.” This quote is from a very helpful blog post that he put together that defines expository preaching by what it is not. https://www.hbcharlesjr.com/2017/12/07/what-expository-preaching-is-not/.
The Goals of Preaching
When I preach, I have three main goals: understanding, application, and gospel-centeredness. I want to make sure that people hear the content of Scripture so that they will know God and His will better. I believe that understanding the Bible is the key to applying the Bible. There is one meaning but many applications. I tend to focus more on understanding so that the meaning of Scripture becomes plain and then provide some representative or relevant applications. Because each person may need to apply the Scripture with subtle nuances, I pray regularly and fervently that the Spirit will use what is explained to lead to what He would have applied in each person’s walk with Christ. Overall, I want to show how each text contributes to our understanding of and obedience to the gospel and its entailments. One of my great passions and concerns in preaching is to show Christ in all of Scripture so that people will worship and serve Him.
I believe that the best way to accomplish these goals is to preach systematically according to an expository model. Most often I will walk through a book of the Bible (typically alternating between Old and New Testaments) to give people a view to the context and coherence of the Bible as both a whole and in the parts. While this is my typical practice, I will often break for small periods to do something topical or according to the nature of the calendar (such as Easter or Christmas). If I do something topical, I still attempt to address that topic from a more biblical theological methodology moving through various passages from the canon to give people an idea of how the entire Bible teaches on said topic (an example of this can be seen in my sermons on Heaven).
When determining the content of an individual sermon the most important factor is of course what the text says and means. This must form the outline and content of what is preached. In addition, various quotes, illustrations, or examples will be used to provide variety in the delivery and to elucidate various points in a practical manner.
A method for Planning
When it comes to planning a sermon series, I think several factors may affect which text/book of the Bible is chosen.
The needs of the church
If the church is in need of hearing about the nature of the gospel, the elders might choose to preach through Romans or Galatians. If the church is in need of understanding creation or the beginnings of God’s plans of salvation and work in the world, the elders might choose to preach from Genesis. These needs may come from weaknesses in the church’s understanding on these issues or even a desire to understand more about a particular concept or teaching of Scripture.
Additionally, church need might affect more limited situations. During my time at First Bonham, a well-loved father and son who were both deacons passed away within week of one another. This was a major blow to the church emotionally. I took a week to preach from Job during this occasion as a reminder of God’s sovereign care even in times of difficulty and trouble. You can hear that sermon “Though He Slay Me” on the INDEPENDENT SERMONS page.
The nature of the calendar
When planning sermons for the year, I try to take into account the various aspects of the calendar. This may include special occasions or dates on the calendar, my absence from the pulpit for vacation or other obligations, the relative length of time I have been in a particular book or series. I also try to use such calendaring factors to address important topics. For example, I typically make use of Sanctity of Human Life Sunday in January to address topics and cultural issues related to human dignity.
The direction of the elders
If the elders and I are trying the cast a particular vision for the church or address a particular concept, this should be considered for any preaching plan. I believe that this is one way that collaboration between the elders and other pastoral staff can happen in the preaching ministry of the church.
The whole counsel of God
I think that the goal of preaching and teaching in the church should be to give as much exposure and explanation as possible to the entirety of God’s Word. I make every effort to avoid “soap box” preaching where just a few topics dominate the preaching ministry of the church. This is one reason for preaching through books of the Bible and alternating between Old and New Testament books. I find that these practices hold me accountable to working through the variety of the Scripture.
The leading of the Spirit
It may seem that this one should go first, but I have put it last because I think that the Spirit works through means like those listed above. Of course, all preaching planning should be done prayerfully and according to consistent study and work by the preaching pastor so that he is preaching what he is learning. I think that the Spirit will provide wisdom, discernment and direction as these various factors play together in the life of the pastor and of a church. The leading of the Spirit is not some mystical and inexplicable feeling that you get. Instead, it is the measured and thoughtful response that one has through Bible reading, prayer, maturity in godliness, and wise counsel from other mature believers.
Some Nuts and Bolts
The preparation process for each sermon/series typically begins several months out with me reading through the passage or Bible book many times over to gain a basic understanding of its content and to let it ruminate in my heart for a period of time. I spend a good deal of time in prayer for understanding and direction as I ask the Lord to teach me what His Word means and how I might apply it to my own life. At this time, I will also begin to do a basic outline of the book or passage and give tentative titles to the sermons in that series. As the weeks unfold, more clarity and precision will come as the passages are broken down into smaller units. This step sometimes revises the overall preaching plan, changes the titles or focus of the sermon, and generally tightens up the form and structure that I see each sermon taking. In the couple of weeks before I deliver a sermon, I am working on refining the preaching points and filling in other content (illustrations, examples, transitions, reworking application points). Usually, the day that I preach or teach the message, I will spend time praying through the message, putting down any last minute thoughts, and reviewing the content to be delivered.
As you can see, the preparation for each sermon is something that develops over a matter of months rather than a few days each week. Of course, much work is done in the week or two prior to delivery, but in many ways the sermon or teaching is in process over a significant amount of time. This helps to bring deep understanding and application to my own heart, keeps the context and cohesion of the Bible books in place, and helps to tie each sermon to one another in a more organic way. Ulimately, this produces sermons and teachings for the church messages that are thorough, passionate, meaningful, and wise.
