1. The Passage Controls the Sermon 📖
- In expository preaching, the message of the Bible passage decides what the sermon is about.
- The preacher’s ideas must come from the passage, not the other way around.
- Sadly, in many sermons today, the Bible is only read at the beginning—like the national anthem before a football game—and never mentioned again.
- True expository preaching starts and stays with the Bible text.
2. Expository Preaching Is a Philosophy, Not Just a Method 🎯
- Being an expositor is more about purpose than technique.
- You must ask yourself: “Do I adjust my thoughts to match the Bible…
or do I use the Bible to support my own thoughts?” - A sermon isn’t expository just because it sounds biblical or uses Bible verses.
- Even if you believe the Bible is God’s Word, you must still let the passage speak for itself.
3. The Preacher Must Be Willing to Change 🔄
- An expositor must re-examine his own beliefs when studying Scripture.
- If the passage contradicts your understanding, you must be willing to change your view.
- You may even need to set aside what your teachers taught if it doesn’t match the text.
- The goal is to discover the author’s original meaning, not force your own opinions into the passage.
4. The Right Attitude Toward Scripture ❤️
An expositor needs two attitudes:
(A) Simplicity – Like a Child 👶
- Approach the Bible with humility and openness.
- Read it to understand, learn, and experience God’s truth.
- Do not read it just to argue, prove a point, or find a sermon.
(B) Maturity – Like an Adult 🧠
- The Bible is deep and rich—it requires serious thought and study.
- Not all truths are on the surface.
- To find God’s treasures, you need hard work, careful study, and spiritual sensitivity.
- Understanding Scripture requires both the heart of a child and the mind of a thinker.
5. Key Lesson ✍️
- The passage must control the sermon.
- The preacher is a messenger, not the author.
- True expository preaching discovers the meaning in the text and delivers it faithfully to the people.
