I definitely count myself in the camp of “expositional” preachers – in the Chapell sense of the term.  More specifically, not merely sermons that exegete a single passage clearly, but preaching multiple messages that move thoroughly through a book, long portion of one or a specific theme.  I see this preaching method as the necessary outgrowth of applying biblical theology to homiletics.  This is evidenced by the way I preach (chapter expositions for isolated methods and book studies for lengthier preaching opportunities) and the church I attend (primarily because of the consistent thorough expositional preaching.  In my estimation, this is the best (at least, the best for me) preaching philosophy.

Why might that not be the best?  Because, quite simply, everyone else isn’t just like me!  (And for everyone else’s sake, I’m glad!)  Some people (for a multitude of good reasons) simply don’t grow as well under the preaching I’ve described as under another good preaching method.  Some don’t yet have a depth of Scripture knowledge, others don’t have analytical minds that easily follow a lengthy explanation, and others may yet lack the wisdom to do much application on their own.  [Clarification: I’m not belittling all those “others” – not at all!  God’s grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit in all believers make it more than possible for any believer to grow under any solid preaching ministry.  I’m simply pointing out that different flowers grow better in different soils.]  In a town with multiple Christ-centered, Bible-preaching, God-glorifying churches, preaching style is definitely a factor to consider.

Another reason that I won’t dogmatically demand that all preachers preach expositional series’ is that I personally benefit from non-expositional messages.  The first church in which I was exposed to good preaching is one where I regularly heard sermons that I would classify as “textual” – the pastor derived his main points from a single passage or verse, then filled in his explanation with theology from across the Bible.  I still visit that church and profit from its pulpit ministry!  Other preachers I’ve heard have had a primarily topical preaching style.  Honestly, I find it more difficult to grow under most topical sermons.  Too frequently, I find that the average topical sermon relies heavily on keyword-containing proof texts and superficial exegesis.  To tell the truth, I strongly believe that a solid topical sermon may be harder to write than an expositional one.  To preach accurately on a topic, exegesis of each text cited really is necessary.  I rarely hear topical sermons that evidence such careful exegesis.  I still benefit from them; I just need to apply more effort!

A third reason for holding my position with a measure of tolerance is the silence of the Word of God on this issue.  I’m not aware of any passage that explicitly teaches the one and only preaching method.  On the one hand, you find Paul citing one OT verse in passing to make a point (Rom. 3.4); in other places, he spends time explaining an OT text (Gal. 3); the author of Hebrews strings together a number of OT texts to seal an argument (Heb. 1.5-14); Stephen preaches a salvation message based on a biblical theology overview of redemptive history (Acts. 7.2-53).  None of these styles is held up as the apex of preaching method.

A final reason for regarding differences in preaching method to be good and normal is the sovereignty of God.  Eph. 4.11-16 states that God gives preachers to churches.  And not accidentally!  He gives the gift of a minister so that the church members will be edified, equipped for service and knit together as a body.  No two churches have the same members, so I would suggest that no two churches need the same pastor.  This is a humbling and comforting thought.  Humbling, when you hear a preacher with whom you’ve previously disagreed or whose style is hard to follow or difficult to understand – my pride and self-concern need to take a back seat as I remember that God gave this preacher for my edification and equipping so that I can grow to be like Christ.  Comforting, when I struggle to make application or see practical value in a sermon – God is not making a mistake in giving me this sermon; if I don’t need it now, I will later, or someone to whom I minister will.

I am thankful for my pastor and for the preaching philosophy that I have learned; I am also thankful for the variety that the Lord gives, and for his gracious work done through all the imperfect vessels that he uses!