The introduction and first point can be read HERE. Points #2 and #3 can be read HERE.
Witmer's next two points are very practical. As a pastor who has preached expository sermons as my main approach to pulpit ministry, for over 30 years, I can tell you that these next two points are very real. There are areas that I've preached on that I would never have chosen in a million years!
In the Letter of Paul to the Romans, I would have gladly omitted Romans 9-11 in my exposition. In my recent series, I would have gladly overlooked John 6 in the series. I've preached on. For us as pastors, we need to come to grips with the reality that our inhibitions, our intuitions, our likes and dislikes may have no bearing on what the Holy Spirit wishes to feed the sheep with. Expositional, lectio continua, preaching removes the choice of subject out of human inventiveness and into the work of the Spirit.
Here's what Witmer writes,
Witmer's next two points are very practical. As a pastor who has preached expository sermons as my main approach to pulpit ministry, for over 30 years, I can tell you that these next two points are very real. There are areas that I've preached on that I would never have chosen in a million years!
In the Letter of Paul to the Romans, I would have gladly omitted Romans 9-11 in my exposition. In my recent series, I would have gladly overlooked John 6 in the series. I've preached on. For us as pastors, we need to come to grips with the reality that our inhibitions, our intuitions, our likes and dislikes may have no bearing on what the Holy Spirit wishes to feed the sheep with. Expositional, lectio continua, preaching removes the choice of subject out of human inventiveness and into the work of the Spirit.
Here's what Witmer writes,
4. It keeps the pastor from riding his favourite hobby
horses. We are all human and have our own interests and even our affinities
when it comes to biblical texts and doctrinal truth. You may have heard of the
preacher who, at the end of every sermon, regardless of the text would add,
“and now a few words about baptism.” Moving systematically through the
Scriptures will help provide a balanced diet for the flock and will also help
us to avoid our “pet peeves”!
5. It requires the pastor to preach the “difficult” or
obscure texts and “challenging” truths of the Bible. While there are truths
that we enjoy preaching, there are also those which are more controversial and
we (or our people) might like to avoid. For example, many are eager to preach
on the Lord’s order for the family in Ephesians five, but prefer to stay clear
of Paul’s direct preaching about predestination and God’s sovereignty in the
first chapter. Faithful expository preaching requires that these hard truths be
wisely fed to the flock. Your congregation will appreciate the fact that you
give them the milk and the meat.
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[1] Shepherd Leader (pp. 142-146). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.
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