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Preparing Sermons
Expository

We have taken a short excusion into the preparation of a theme sermon, and have looked briefly at a text sermon. For this month we shift our thoughts to the preparation of an expository sermon. Here is what some men consider to be the most difficult kind of Bible preaching, yet virtually all will agree that it is here that the preacher will find the most satisfaction and his audience will find much of real interest. People who hear expository preaching and apply their minds will become good students of God's Word. The reason for that is because expository preaching is truly Bible centered. In this type of teaching a man takes a rather long text and gives an exposition of the text. He may take several verses, perhaps a paragraph or a chapter, or more, and present the prominent thoughts in relation to their larger context.

The Bible has an array of outlines made to order for expository teaching. For an example think with me of Eph. 4:11-16. I found an outline by C. W. Keiningham on this passage. I then studied some material from Jimmy Tuten and some from Mark Copeland, along with the set of notes I have compiled for the teaching of Ephesians. After many hours of prayerful changing and revising I finally held in my hand an outline that I think helps people get the main thoughts of Eph. 4:11-16. It may not answer all questions about the passage to everyone's satisfaction, so I present it to the hearers for their own study. The sermon centers on the thought of edifying the body of Christ. In the Introduction I say we all agree the church needs to be built up, and that we can grow by a process that is God-ordained. It is outlined in Eph. 4, and I read Verses 11-16. I then present two major points, as follows.

1. The Master Did His Work - Eph. 4:11-14. Here begins the exposition. Under this first point my outline has four sub-points, each one being one of the four Verses. The first sub-point is A. Verse 11: The Lord filled the church with a supply of gifts. The commas in the Verse were not in the original Greek. Reading the Verse without the commas gives the thought that Christ gave these men and their gifts to the church. B. Verse 12: Gifts serve the purpose of building us toward maturity. The early church did not have the written New Testament, so they had inspired men. Today we have the revelation that came through inspired men. C. Verse 13: The "easier" view may be to understand that the gifts are to bring all Christians to maturity. D. Verse 14: We are not to be childish, but are to grow up, and not be deceived by false doctrine. We have written revelation to guide us- 1 John 4:1; 1 Thess. 5:21.

  • 1. The Master Did His Work - Eph. 4:11-14.
    1. Verse 11: The Lord filled the church with a supply of gifts. The commas in the Verse were not in the original Greek. Reading the Verse without the commas gives the thought that Christ gave these men and their gifts to the church.
    2. Verse 12: Gifts serve the purpose of building us toward maturity. The early church did not have the written New Testament, so they had inspired men. Today we have the revelation that came through inspired men.
    3. Verse 13: The "easier" view may be to understand that the gifts are to bring all Christians to maturity.
    4. Verse 14: We are not to be childish, but are to grow up, and not be deceived by false doctrine. We have written revelation to guide us- 1 John 4:1; 1 Thess. 5:21.

2. Now We Are To Do Our Work (To Walk Toward Edification) - Eph 4:15-16. A. Verse 15: The basis for edification -- SPEAKING THE TRUTH. 1.Truth is the foundation for all growth - John 17:17. 2. Sound doctrine is the only way to reach the goal of Verse 13. B. Verse 15: The motivation for edification -- SPEAKING ... IN LOVE (Love for TRUTH and for SOULS - cf 1Ti 4:16). C. Verse 15: The direction of edification -- GROW UP INTO HIM (as we grow into following His teaching -- Which He practiced, and therefore we become like Him - 1 John 2:6. D. Verse 15: The scope of edification -- IN ALL THINGS - 2 Pet. 3:18. E. Verse 16: A necessity for edification -- WHOLE BODY JOINED. 1. WHOLE BODY: All, each, not just one, or a few; Every one feels responsibility -- In daily life, teaching, attendance, encouraging others. 2. FITLY JOINED: Made to fit together, bound closely together as bones are bound by the ligaments - cf 1 John 3:16. 3. COMPACTED: Knit together, Not just placed side by side, but grown together, blended, united so as to form one body. F. Verse 16: This also is a necessity for edification -- EVERY JOINT SUPPLIETH. 1. Each one joined to Christ receives life and strength - Jn 10:10. 2. Then each one loves others and cooperates according to ability. G. Verse 16: The goal of edification -- INCREASE...UNTO EDIFYING. 1. As the human body is held together by every supporting joint, so the contribution of each one builds up the church - cf Col. 2:19. 2. Responsibility: We can advance the church in spirituality, or we can retard its growth by our personal failure to grow.

  • 2. Now We Are To Do Our Work (To Walk Toward Edification) - Eph 4:15-16.
    1. Verse 15: The basis for edification -- SPEAKING THE TRUTH.
      1. Truth is the foundation for all growth - John 17:17.
      2. Sound doctrine is the only way to reach the goal of Verse 13.
    2. Verse 15: The motivation for edification -- SPEAKING ... IN LOVE (Love for TRUTH and for SOULS - cf 1Ti 4:16).
    3. Verse 15: The direction of edification -- GROW UP INTO HIM (as we grow into following His teaching -- Which He practiced, and therefore we become like Him - 1 John 2:6.
    4. Verse 16: A necessity for edification -- WHOLE BODY JOINED.
      1. WHOLE BODY: All, each, not just one, or a few; Every one feels responsibility -- In daily life, teaching, attendance, encouraging others.
      2. FITLY JOINED: Made to fit together, bound closely together as bones are bound by the ligaments - cf 1 John 3:16.
      3. COMPACTED: Knit together, Not just placed side by side, but grown together, blended, united so as to form one body.
    5. Verse 16: This also is a necessity for edification -- EVERY JOINT SUPPLIETH.
      1. Each one joined to Christ receives life and strength - Jn 10:10.
      2. Then each one loves others and cooperates according to ability.
    6. Verse 16: The goal of edification -- INCREASE...UNTO EDIFYING.
      1. As the human body is held together by every supporting joint, so the contribution of each one builds up the church - cf Col. 2:19.
      2. Responsibility: We can advance the church in spirituality, or we can retard its growth by our personal failure to grow.

CONCLUSION: 1. Are all of us who are members growing toward personal maturity? 2. The beginning place -- Become part of the body - 1 Cor. 12:13; H/B/R/C/B/F.

  1. Are all of us who are members growing toward personal maturity?.
  2. The beginning place -- Become part of the body - 1 Cor. 12:13; H/B/R/C/B/F.
- Derrel Shaw

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