Catalyst 1: Lesson 10: Biblical Theology and Expositional Preaching

Biblical Theology

We have already studied the doctrine of God, doctrine of the Word, doctrine of Christ, Doctrine of sin and now we want to look at Biblical theology. In short, Biblical theology is seeing the bible as one whole. Its a unified story that God has divinely inspired by multiple authors, spanning centuries and cultures, and yet he is telling one unified story of his work of redemption that culminates and glorifies his Son Jesus Christ.

Systematic Theology is arranging the truth of God and his words in a systematic, topical form so that one better understands the whole of the Bible according to different subjects

Biblical Theology is the study of the Bible from a historical perspective, seeing the grand story of God’s redemptive work fro Genesis through Revelation, culminating in the work of and for the glory of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

Geerhardus Vos writes

The Idea of Biblical Theology as a Science and as a Theological Discipline (The Charge)

Biblical Theology stands in close relations both to Exegetical and Systematic Theology. If Systematic Theology is, as we may conceive it to be, the finished building, harmonious in its proportions, symmetrical and beautiful; then Exegetical Theology may be regarded as the quarry from which the material is taken; and Biblical Theology, as putting the granite blocks into form, not polished and graven, but shaped and fitted for the place they are to fill, as the structure grows in its vastness and beauty

What we want to walk away from in the study of biblical theology is seeing the grand-narrative of the bible that leads us to ultimately honoring and worshiping Jesus Christ as the central figure of all the bible.

Let’s look at some biblical passages today and see how historically God is carrying out his redemptive themes, leading us to see them fulfilled in Christ.

Look at the OT story of Israel:

See Chart and discuss with people

Expositional Preaching

Since God’s flows with the story of God, then it is natural for the people of God hear the Bible taught to them in an expositional style of preaching. This form of preaching acknowledges the importance of the Historical, grammatical and cultural aspects of the Scriptures that lead us to the proper interpretation of its original meaning.

Why Preaching? “The first mark of a healthy church is expositional preaching. It is not the only mark; it is far and away the most important of them all, because if you get this one right, all the others should follow” (Dever, 9 Marks, 39).

God has spoken and acts through His word: “The Word of God is the most powerful force in the universe” -Jonathan Leeman.

Creates: Genesis 1:1-3, Psalm 33:6, Hebrews 11:3, Job 26:14, 2 Peter 3:5-6, Psalm 19:1-3

Governs: Psalm 147:15-18, Psalm 29:3-9, Hebrews 1:1-3

Judges: Psalm 46:6, John 12:48, Hebrews 4:12-13

Saves: Genesis 1:26, 12:1-3, Exodus 19:5-6, Ezekiel 37:1-10, John 1:1, Luke 4:18-19, Romans 10:17, 1 Peter 1:23, James 1:18

Sanctifies: Acts 20:32, John 17:17

Disciples: John 8:31-32, 47, 51, 15:4, 7, 10

Presence: Deuteronomy 30:12-14, Romans 10:6-8

Builds: Ephesians 2:20, 4:11-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God has commanded us:

“Living as we do after the Fall but before the Heavenly City, we are in a time when faith is central, and so the Word must be central—because God’s Holy Spirit creates His people by His Word! We can create a people by other means, and this is the great temptation of churches” (Dever, 9 Marks, 50).

Danger of our Times: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 4:3-4

You will always battle with the world’s church, the church down the street or across the city that is booming with physical growth, masses of people attending, but they are all starving people in a food line that only receive dirt in a bowl. These so called churches are filled with sin, have a disdain for all of God’s word, and are more about entertainment than soul care.

Calling of our Times: 2 Timothy 4:2

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Why Expositional Preaching? If this is true, then whatever form of preaching that most clearly allows the Word of God to be heard deserves our commitment. “The first mark of a healthy church is expositional preaching. It is not the only first mark; it is far and away the most important of them all, because if you get this one right, all the others should follow” (Dever, 9 Marks, 42-43). What is Expositional Preaching

“Discussions about preaching divide it into three types: topical, textual, and expository. Topical messages usually combine a series of Bible verses that loosely connect with a theme. Textual preaching uses a short text or passage that generally serves as a gateway into whatever subject the preacher chooses to address. Neither the topical nor the textual method represents a serious effort to interpret, understand, explain, or apply God’s truth in the context of the Scripture(s) used.

By contrast, expository preaching focuses predominantly on the text(s) under consideration along with its (their) context(s). Exposition normally concentrates on a single text of Scripture, but it is sometimes possible for a thematic/theological message or a historical/biographical discourse to be expository in nature. An exposition may treat any length of passage.’ ( Macarthur, Rediscovering Expository Preaching)

1. Be prepared personally (prayer, holiness, growth)

2. Be prepared principally( hermeneutics, grammar, syntax, structure, etc)

3. Be prepared purposefully (organized and faithful delivery)

4. Be prepared post-preaching (trust in God’s sovereignty, give thanks for opportunity, follow up with God’s movement )