b

16 Thumbnail Theology:
Resume
Expository Preaching
Five Stages
in
Preparing an Expository Sermon
Exegesis (informing the mind) in the study
The Task
Aim: To bring out the meaning intended by the writers then
of
Stage 1. Analysis of the passage (grammatical)
Exegesis


 Stage 2. Research of the background (historical)

Exposition (informing the mind with a view to in the pulpit in
affecting the heart)
Aim: To apply the message of the text to ourselves here and now Expository Preaching
 Stage 3. Expounding the text
(exposing the meaning of the passage )
 Stage 4. Application Five Stages in Preparing
(letting the text expose the hearts of its readers)
an Expository Sermon
The Appeal (challenging the will) Outlined for Study and Practice
Aim: To effect a change in behaviour
 Stage 5. Urging a response to the message of the text Example: Psalm 1
as a Word from God

The Power Point presentation (from which the contents of this *

outline have been taken) describes in detail the first two PCJB
stages of Expository Preaching – Analysis and Research – PP Presentation
that together are concerned with Exegesis, upon which all devised and prepared
true Exposition from the pulpit is built.
at
The exegesis of John 5 and of Psalm 1 given here, like any Gujranwala Theological Seminary
interpretation of Scripture, is open to debate. It is intended may be copied for non-commercial use only
to serve as an illustration of good exegetical method.
 2
January 2005 Five Stages
in
Preparing an Expository Sermon

Overview
 Preliminary Step: check the text is sound

Exegesis
 Stage 1. Analysis of the passage
 Stage 2. Research of the background

Exposition
 Stage 3. Expounding the text then
 Stage 4. Application to today

Appeal
 Stage 5. Urging a response

Expository Preaching

All effective preaching involves:

in the study

 The guidance of the Holy Spirit

 The preparatory study of the preacher

in the pulpit

 The anointing of the Holy Spirit

 The delivery of the preacher
 15 14
Stage 3 Step 4
Expounding the passage Study any key words
Key words
 Step 1 – Introduce the over-all subject  V.1 “walked”, “stood”, “sat” is an alternative translation of
 Step 2 – Explain the general context of the text the three verbs, marking a descent (in sinfulness)

 Step 3 – Outline what the passage has to say about the over-
subject
 Step 4 – Expound the main points (in turn) concerning this
subject
 Step 5 – Expound the “heart-beat“ of the message in the passage
 “scoffers“ – loose talkers
 V. 3 “riverbank” – running waters (not stagnant pool!)
suggesting the source of life (cf. Jesus: “streams of living
water”)
 V.4 “scattered chaff” – i.e. They are merely lightweights

Stage 4
Applying the passage 1 Oh, the joys of
those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, [Walk by]
 Step 1 – Explain the relevance of the over-all subject for today, or stand around with sinners
referring to one or more of the following: [Stand] or join in with scoffers. [Sit down] [Loose
 Society and the world today talkers]
………………………………………………………………………. ……………..
 The Church 2 But they delight in
 Probable individual states and situations doing everything the Lord wants;
instruction]
 Step 2 – Show any parallels with the situation then and now they think about his law day and night [Torah – Pentateuch –
 Step 3 – Make applications for all the main points 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, [Running
waters]
bearing fruit each season without fail.
Stage 5
Their leaves never wither,
The Appeal and they prosper in all they do. ………………………………………
Emphasize: …………………………………….
 The reality, 4 But this is not true of
the wicked.
 The significance, and They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. [lightweights]
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
 The urgency Sinners will have no place among the godly.
of the message ……………………………………………………………………………
(the heart-beat of the passage) 6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, [NB: Two paths]
 but the path of the wicked leads to destruction  Stage 5. Preparing a challenge to listeners to respond to
the message of the text
as
3 a personal Word from God himself
Preparing an Expository Sermon 4
Exegesis Preliminary Step
Aim: The Text
To bring out the meaning intended by the writers then
Check the text
“informing the mind”
Generally there is no problem (despite allegations that Christians
The Role of the Preacher in the study have changed the original text so our Bible cannot be trusted!)
 Stage 1. Analyzing the passage Occasionally there is manuscript evidence of additional “glosses”
(grammatically) (or comments) usually put in by a scribe as an explanation of some
 Stage 2. Researching the background assumed “difficulty“ in the text
(historically)
Exposition For reliability of the text consult:
 Study Bible footnotes
Aim:
 The commentaries*
(in the pulpit)
To apply the message of the text to ourselves here and now
*NB: Ignore other matters just now
“informing the mind
with a view to affecting the heart” Example
John 5:1-9 NKJV
The Role of the Preacher in the study
1. After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to
 Stage 3. Expounding the text Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool,
(exposing the meaning of the passage ) which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In
 Stage 4. Identifying the application these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed,
(letting the text expose [waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down
the hearts of its readers) at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then
The Appeal whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was
Aim: made well of whatever disease he had.] 5 Now a certain man was
To effect a change in behaviour there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw
“challenging the will” him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that
condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made
The Role of the Preacher in the study well?”
7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into
the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming,
 another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up  Judgement – here unlikely to refer to the final Day of
your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, Judgement; rather to the natural consequences of a life of
took up his bed, and walked. mis-behaviour
The New King James Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1982.
12
13
Research
4 But this is not true of
the wicked. Chaff
Step 1
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
Identify the literary genre
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Psalm 1
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
While this passage is recognisable as poetry, it also takes the form of the
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, PARALLEL B
sayings of wisdom literature.
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction Path
Research:
 Hebrew poetry often contains parallel lines, phrases and ideas –
Step 2
to bring out comparisons or contrasts
Consider the context
 It uses various kinds of imagery and figures of speech –
to invite deeper awareness of the significance of what is
The context
written.
 Psalm 1 opens the Psalter – with a blessing for Parallels
the person who delights in meditating on God‘s law  Main contrast: The godly / the wicked
 The joy of the godly / the destruction of the wicked
 Its position at the start emphasises the importance of  The flourishing prosperity of the godly / the fleeting
godly living existence of the wicked
 Parallel ideas: the wicked / sinners / scoffers
 In the context of Jesus’s teaching concerning the “narrow“ way
Images
and the “broad way“, Psalm 1 points to there being only
 The trees / the chaff
two possible life-styles in God‘s eyes: godly and wicked.
 The various paths

Psalm 1 – Parallels and Images

Step 3
1 Oh, the joys of PARALLEL A
Research the back-ground
those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, Parallels 1
or stand around with sinners 2
Background
or join in with scoffers. 3
 The Law – can refer to the Pentateuch (Law of Moses),
2 But they delight in
the Law given at Sinai, and also, most likely, instruction to
doing everything the Lord wants;
be found in the Scriptures generally
they think about his law day and night
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, Trees while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to
bearing fruit each season without fail. him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the
Their leaves never wither, man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
and they prosper in all they do.
5 6
Exegesis Stage 1
Preliminary Step Analyse the passage
Check the text
Analysis: Its Purpose and Use
Consulting a commentary reveals the following:
Analysing a passage helps us to
 5:3b-4. The earliest manuscripts omit these words which
appear to be a late insertion to explain why the pool water was  Clarify the relationship of the various parts
“stirred” (v. 7). People believed that an angel came and stirred it.  See links and contrasts between ideas
According to local tradition, the first one in the water would be
healed. But the Bible nowhere teaches this kind of superstition, a  Identify the over-all subject
situation which would be a most cruel contest for many ill people.
No extant [surviving] Greek manuscript before A.D. 400  Decide what are the main points being made about this subject
contains these words.  Find the “heart-beat“ (main thrust) of the passage
Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois:  Master the passage as a whole
Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

 Step 1 – Re-arrange the text

Therefore we may assume:
 Step 2 – Mark the text
The most likely original text
(before AD 400)
 Step 3 – Find the “heart beat“
1. After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to
Example
Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool,
Psalm 1
which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In
these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed…
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or
….
stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. 2 But they delight in
5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight
doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law.
years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each
had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you
season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they
want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have
prosper. 4 But this is not true of the wicked. They are like worthless
no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but
chaff, scattered by the wind. 5 They will be condemned at the time of  Step 3 Research the background
judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. 6 For the Lord What light can the history & culture of the times shed?
watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to
destruction.  Step 4 Study any key words
New Living Translation. What is the significance of their use in this passage?
11 10
Step 3 Analysis
Find the “heart beat”
(cont.) Step 3
The Heart Beat: Find the “heart beat”

To be happy and prosperous in this life  What is the situation in which this is written or spoken?
you have to follow
the way that God has directed  Decide the over-all subject* of the passage: what is it about?
or you will be doomed to
failure and destruction  What has the passage to say about this over-all subject?
What are the main points that are made about it?
Commentary on the “Heart Beat”:
 What is the dominant point – the “heart beat“ message of the passage
 The happiness of the godly and the doom of the righteous – that the writer intends to make?
are the natural outcome of the way of life each has chosen.
* The overall subject relates to the total passage, not just to a part
 The natural prosperity of the godly is due to the wisdom of of it. It applies to all involved. It can often be best expressed in
a life lived according to the plan of the Lord of life itself. different words from those of the text.

Psalm 1
Stage 2
Research the passage The (presumed) Situation:
 The godly need encouragement to avoid the wicked
(Commentaries and Dictionaries should be consulted at this stage)
The Over-all Subject (applying to all involved):
 Step 1 Identify the literary genre
What kind of literature is this piece of writing?  The two paths
How should it be read? The Key Points concerning the Subject:

 Step 2 Consider the context  There are two paths people can take:
What precedes and what follows?  The path taken by the godly
 The path taken by wicked
 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
 The godly avoid the path of the wicked and prosper accordingly Sinners will have no place among the godly.
 Their source of refreshment is God‘s law, not idle gossip 6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction
 The wicked follow a path that leads only to destruction 8
7 Analysis
Analysis
Step 2
Step 1 Mark the text
Re-arrange the text
What stands out?
Rewrite the passage to show
 the shape of its structure,  Underline all the significant verbs or verbal phrases
using indented* lines to show
 the relationship of
Who is doing what?
the various parts  Highlight all the main people involved
to
the whole passage. What is not clear?

* Indention: When you indent a word or line
you start further in from the margin
than when you start other lines.
Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of
those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners
or join in with scoffers.
2 But they delight in
doing everything the Lord wants;
they think about his law day and night
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season without fail.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But this is not true of
the wicked.
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
 Note down any words / phrases you want to research further
and add a question mark
Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of
those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners
or join in with scoffers.
2 But they delight in
doing everything the Lord wants;
they think about his law day and night law
=?
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season without fail.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But this is not true of
the wicked.
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Judgment=?
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction
……………………………………………………………………………..
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction

Where can you see links between similar ideas or themes?

Are any contrasts being made?
 Circle (or put in alics) connecting words that indicate either a
comparison or a contrast
Can the passage be divided into different sections to show a new topic?
 Draw a line (or create a gap) between the various sections
(i.e. where a new topic starts)

Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of
those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners
or join in with scoffers!
…………………………………………………………………………….
2 But they delight in
doing everything the Lord wants;
they think about his law day and night law =?
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season without fail.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
……………………………………………………………………………..
4 But this is not true of
the wicked.
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Judgment = ?
Sinners will have no place among the godly.