1. Preaching Communicates Ideas, Not Just Words 🗣️
- Expository preaching is not about analyzing words alone—it’s about communicating the meaning of the passage.
- Some preachers focus too much on individual words because they believe that since Scripture is inspired, each word must be examined deeply.
- While it’s true that every word matters, words gain meaning only when connected into sentences, ideas, and concepts.
- Example: Reading a dictionary tells you word meanings, but it doesn’t give you understanding. The same applies to Scripture.
2. The Goal Is to Understand the Writer’s Intent 📖
- The expositor’s main job is to discover what the biblical writer meant—not just what each word means separately.
- Words are only tools to express concepts.
- Preaching becomes boring and ineffective if the sermon focuses only on word studies without explaining the overall message.
3. Preaching Is About Life-Changing Ideas 🔥
- Francis A. Schaeffer explains that the battle for people’s souls happens in the world of ideas:
- Ideas influence beliefs, decisions, values, and lifestyle.
- Music, art, culture, and relationships are shaped by ideas.
- Eternal destiny depends on whether people believe the truths of the gospel or reject them.
- Good preaching delivers “flaming ideas”—powerful truths from God’s Word that change how people think and live.
4. True Doctrine = Living Ideas, Not Dead Phrases ✝️
- Doctrines are not just theological terms or mechanical puzzle pieces.
- True doctrines are God-revealed ideas that:
- Fit into the real world God created.
- Make sense of human life and our struggles.
- Influence how we think, act, and live.
- Preaching should connect biblical truth to the real-life thought-world of people today.
Key Takeaway
Expository preaching is not just about explaining words — it’s about communicating God’s ideas clearly, accurately, and powerfully so that people’s thinking and lives are transformed.
