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Encountering God through Expository Preaching: Connecting God’s People to God’s Presence through God’s Word
Preaching occurs when a holy man of God opens the Word of God and says to the people of God,
“Come and experience God with me in this text.”
“Come and experience God with me in this text.”
Encountering God through Expository Preaching ushers preachers of all levels of experience through the practical steps necessary to preach with power. The authors not only cover the exegetical skills and homiletical techniques necessary for sound preaching, but they also dive deeper to emphasize how a pastor’s character and reliance upon the Holy Spirit are essential to preaching God’s word effectively.
As the preacher encounters God in preaching, he will preach with spiritual power and see lives transformed and churches strengthened.
- GenresTheology
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2017
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53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 11, 2024
Preaching books are always hard to review. Some books feel like a how-to manual. Others zone in on a particular aspect of preaching. This book, however, feels like a manifesto on a certain philosophy of preaching. I largely agree with the authors and the kind of expository preaching they are advocating for. It’s a helpful push back against the sort of preaching that might get the text right but fail to celebrate Jesus and seek to behold him through the Spirit. I also appreciated the focus on the holiness of the man who preaches.
You can tell the book was written by three different authors, and the overall structure and tone of the book can feel a little disjointed at times. They often assert their positions instead of making good arguments. This was fine for me because I agreed with them on most things, but I don’t think someone coming with a different perspective on preaching would be swayed by the book.
We use this book for our men’s discipleship track and it does what we need it to do though. Finding a one-volume preaching book that hits all that you would want and stays under 200 pages is nearly impossible.
You can tell the book was written by three different authors, and the overall structure and tone of the book can feel a little disjointed at times. They often assert their positions instead of making good arguments. This was fine for me because I agreed with them on most things, but I don’t think someone coming with a different perspective on preaching would be swayed by the book.
We use this book for our men’s discipleship track and it does what we need it to do though. Finding a one-volume preaching book that hits all that you would want and stays under 200 pages is nearly impossible.
October 1, 2017
Before I begin, let me give a quick introduction. I pastored various churches from 1987 until 2006, when I stepped away from Pastoral ministry. I remain very involved in a local church serving as a Worship Leader and Elder. I still have the privilege of preaching and teaching as the opportunity arises. As I continue to be exposed to solid preaching and preaching resources I feel like I owe my previous congregations an apology for some of my sermons.
I am interested in this book because of the opportunities I am given to preach and the desire to be a better preacher and listener. I also have seen a deficit in Biblical preaching. Mohler expresses this phenomenon in the introduction. He notes how the preaching of the word is being replaced by singing, drama, and other avenues of entertainment.
This book is not a “how to book” as much as it is a “why you should book”. There are plenty of practical sections on preparing a sermon, but the strength of the book is in its defense of expository preaching.
I appreciate that the opening section starts with the preacher’s qualifications and a review of Titus 2 and other appropriate passages. While not all who will preach are elders, any who are going to preach should still meet these qualifications. There is also a strong emphasis on reliance on the Holy Spirit in the preparation and delivery of sermons. Another plus.
The authors are also quick to note that preaching entire books is the better method. However, there are times to preach topically and that a topical message can be an expository message.
This volume is a fully Christ and word centered presentation. It is summed up in the phrase “preaching occurs when a holy man of God opens the word of God and says to the people of God, ‘Come and experience God with me in this text.’”
The book contains 3 sections. The authors start with The Man, The Text and The Spirit. This is the right place to start. This is the heart of the book starting with a strong foundation for the building of a sermon.
The authors do a great job stressing the importance of a passages context. The passage’s place in the whole of Scripture, the specific book and its place in the book must all be considered. After that the context of both the original and current hearer must be addressed. In fact, the illustration of The Wizard of Oz and historical context is worth getting this book.
It is not until this solid foundation is laid, do the authors move to the mechanics of sermon preparation
Here they move to the Early Preparation of the sermon. I am encouraged that the authors stressed the importance of the public reading of Scripture, an often-overlooked skill. This section also includes another strong reminder of the importance of context.
Finally, the authors move to delivery and the decision to use manuscripts, outlines or no notes. This section again includes a strong emphasis on diligent study and desperate reliance on the Holy Spirit. Their conclusion is that the preacher should work to the point of going without notes.
For me, the one part of the book that missed was the section on outlining. This chapter was another strong chapter on expository preaching but not as strong as the chapters on manuscripts or no notes.
In the end this book is not primarily about hermeneutics or sermon preparation even though those areas are covered. This is a solid, healthy defense of Expository preaching, something sorely missing in today’s church.
For those of you who regularly preach this is a good refresher on the importance of expository preaching. If you are just beginning start with this book and be convinced of the value of expository preaching, and then dig deeper to hone your skill. This way hopefully you won’t feel the need to apologize for questionable sermons.
NOTE: The publisher provided a copy of this book for review.
November 12, 2017
Summary: An argument for expository preaching as the means by which the people of God encounter the living God through the word of God, and an explication of the practices in preparation that lead to this in experience through the preached word.
The authors of this book both define what preaching is and set out their purpose in an opening statement in answer to the question, “what is preaching.” They respond:
“Preaching occurs when a holy man of God opens the Word of God and says to the people of God, ‘Come and experience God with me in this text.’ Encountering God through Expository Preaching is an explanation of this sentence.”
This book accomplishes what it promises and more. It sets forth the high calling, privilege, and sheer joy of preaching. The writers begin with the “holy man” and assert that godly character, and particularly that one is progressing in one’s own growth is critical to preaching that leads people to experience God. Giftedness is not enough, and often will result both in the cult of the preacher, and disappointment.
Then they turn to the defense of expository preaching, and particularly expository preaching that gives careful attention to the context of the text within the passage, the book, and ultimately the whole Bible. Particular emphasis is given to situating the text within God’s unfolding covenant purposes. This is not mere verse by verse explanation but canonical and biblical theological exposition, where the themes of scripture and the whole of scripture shape the treatment of a particular passage. While preference is given to preaching through books of scripture, they allow that topical preaching is both warranted by scripture itself, and that it may be done expositorily.
The authors conclude the first part with three chapters on the importance of the Holy Spirit in preaching that invites people to experience God. Careful exegesis and good homiletic practice are insufficient to transform our listeners. The Holy Spirit illumines both us and those who hear the Word preached. He emboldens the preacher, particularly in the face of opposing powers, he lights us up, fills us with love and gives us words. Finally, we constantly rely on Him through relying upon His Word, upon the Lord’s gospel, upon God in prayer, and upon the prayers of our people.
They then focus on early preparation. What I found is that this did not concern exegetical practice or turning exegetical outlines into preaching outlines, as so many similar texts do. To some degree they already addressed this in the chapters on context, and will in broad outline in the following chapters. But they begin by focusing on the importance of delivery, and also the reading of the preaching text–itself a form of preaching when done well. One of the most trenchant observations made here is that good teachers are able to anticipate how their words sound in the ears of their hearers.
The next three chapters are built around a little rhyme suggesting four questions each sermon must answer:
How does it fit?
What does it say?
How is it built?
Why does it stay?
“How does it fit?” answers the question of how the text fits into the overall context of the Bible. “What does it say?” focuses on what needs to be said about the message of this particular text to one’s audience. “How is it built?” looks at the way a passage develops its main idea. “Why does it stay?” is about why this passage has lasting relevance and how it may be relevant in the lives of the preacher and the hearers.
The final three chapters weigh the respective advantages and disadvantages of preaching from a manuscript, preaching from an outline, and preaching without notes. While a manuscript provides for precision of utterance, and avoids rabbit trails, and an outline helps with remembering what one wishes to say, the writers come down preferring the practice of preaching without notes. They favor this both in terms of what it requires of the preacher in terms of personal holiness, an outline based on the text, a simple and memorable outline, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It also allows for better communication with and engagement with one’s audience, including more eye contact, and more natural movement and vocal variety.
What this book does is de-emphasize some of the more technical aspects of sermon preparation to focus on the spirituality of preaching–the character of the preacher, one’s own encounter with God in the text through the ministry of the Spirit, and reliance upon the Spirit in both preparation and proclamation.
While there is much of worth for anyone who aspires to preach, it should be noted that a premise of this book is that the office of preacher is limited to men–evident in references to “a holy man, ” and in the argument for preaching without notes that “it encourages masculinity” and that “for preaching to be effective, the preacher must be a masculine man” (p. 200).
While I do not agree with this premise, I found much of worth in this book, and particularly the strong argument for expository preaching, that this is really to expose God’s word under the power of God’s Spirit, so that the people of God may experience, worship, and obey the living God. It has been my joy to experience the living God under the expository preaching of both holy men and women of God, and I can’t imagine why those charged with preaching the Word of God would want anything less or else.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The authors of this book both define what preaching is and set out their purpose in an opening statement in answer to the question, “what is preaching.” They respond:
“Preaching occurs when a holy man of God opens the Word of God and says to the people of God, ‘Come and experience God with me in this text.’ Encountering God through Expository Preaching is an explanation of this sentence.”
This book accomplishes what it promises and more. It sets forth the high calling, privilege, and sheer joy of preaching. The writers begin with the “holy man” and assert that godly character, and particularly that one is progressing in one’s own growth is critical to preaching that leads people to experience God. Giftedness is not enough, and often will result both in the cult of the preacher, and disappointment.
Then they turn to the defense of expository preaching, and particularly expository preaching that gives careful attention to the context of the text within the passage, the book, and ultimately the whole Bible. Particular emphasis is given to situating the text within God’s unfolding covenant purposes. This is not mere verse by verse explanation but canonical and biblical theological exposition, where the themes of scripture and the whole of scripture shape the treatment of a particular passage. While preference is given to preaching through books of scripture, they allow that topical preaching is both warranted by scripture itself, and that it may be done expositorily.
The authors conclude the first part with three chapters on the importance of the Holy Spirit in preaching that invites people to experience God. Careful exegesis and good homiletic practice are insufficient to transform our listeners. The Holy Spirit illumines both us and those who hear the Word preached. He emboldens the preacher, particularly in the face of opposing powers, he lights us up, fills us with love and gives us words. Finally, we constantly rely on Him through relying upon His Word, upon the Lord’s gospel, upon God in prayer, and upon the prayers of our people.
They then focus on early preparation. What I found is that this did not concern exegetical practice or turning exegetical outlines into preaching outlines, as so many similar texts do. To some degree they already addressed this in the chapters on context, and will in broad outline in the following chapters. But they begin by focusing on the importance of delivery, and also the reading of the preaching text–itself a form of preaching when done well. One of the most trenchant observations made here is that good teachers are able to anticipate how their words sound in the ears of their hearers.
The next three chapters are built around a little rhyme suggesting four questions each sermon must answer:
How does it fit?
What does it say?
How is it built?
Why does it stay?
“How does it fit?” answers the question of how the text fits into the overall context of the Bible. “What does it say?” focuses on what needs to be said about the message of this particular text to one’s audience. “How is it built?” looks at the way a passage develops its main idea. “Why does it stay?” is about why this passage has lasting relevance and how it may be relevant in the lives of the preacher and the hearers.
The final three chapters weigh the respective advantages and disadvantages of preaching from a manuscript, preaching from an outline, and preaching without notes. While a manuscript provides for precision of utterance, and avoids rabbit trails, and an outline helps with remembering what one wishes to say, the writers come down preferring the practice of preaching without notes. They favor this both in terms of what it requires of the preacher in terms of personal holiness, an outline based on the text, a simple and memorable outline, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It also allows for better communication with and engagement with one’s audience, including more eye contact, and more natural movement and vocal variety.
What this book does is de-emphasize some of the more technical aspects of sermon preparation to focus on the spirituality of preaching–the character of the preacher, one’s own encounter with God in the text through the ministry of the Spirit, and reliance upon the Spirit in both preparation and proclamation.
While there is much of worth for anyone who aspires to preach, it should be noted that a premise of this book is that the office of preacher is limited to men–evident in references to “a holy man, ” and in the argument for preaching without notes that “it encourages masculinity” and that “for preaching to be effective, the preacher must be a masculine man” (p. 200).
While I do not agree with this premise, I found much of worth in this book, and particularly the strong argument for expository preaching, that this is really to expose God’s word under the power of God’s Spirit, so that the people of God may experience, worship, and obey the living God. It has been my joy to experience the living God under the expository preaching of both holy men and women of God, and I can’t imagine why those charged with preaching the Word of God would want anything less or else.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
October 22, 2019
Preaching is the greatest service to the church. This book does not spend time diving into complex preparation techniques. What I appreciate about this book is that is encourages the preacher to spend as much time in prayer as they do in other parts of sermon prep. It will challenge you to depend on the spirit in your preaching more than your manuscript or outline. It is worth a read for all those who teach the Bible.
November 3, 2017
This book investigates the importance of expositional preaching. The authors describe the methods of expositional preaching, its benefits, and how God is best glorified through that form of preaching. The authors even note that it is possible to deliver a topical message using expository tactics. Must read for preachers and laymen alike.
September 9, 2024
I’ve read other preaching books that really explain the process very well and this book does too. This book also enlightened me to the emotions and spirituality crucial to good preaching. As the title suggests this books helped me to think through how I can help people “encounter God” through preaching and not merely explain the text.
October 7, 2017
Excellent. I wish every pastor and seminary student would read this book.
March 31, 2021
Llegué a este libro por recomendación del pastor Sugel Michelén y ha sido una de las mejores lecturas de homilética que he tenido. Este libro es un gran tratado sobre predicación expositiva apuntando a servir de herramienta mientras recorre tres grandes secciones:
1. Asuntos preliminares (El hombre, el texto y el Espíritu)
2. Preparación (lectura, estudio, audiencia)
3 Exposición (uso/no uso de manuscritos, notas)
La autoría del libro la comparten tres autores que enseñan en el Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Su experiencia académica, pastoral y homilética permite que la teoría sea profundamente bíblica y las aplicaciones prácticas sean cercanamente reconocibles por cualquiera que enseñe las Escrituras.
Lo recomiendo a pastorea y maestros que deseen mejorar su predicación (tanto en la preparación como en la exposición), así como al miembro de iglesia que desee entender mejor un sermón al apreciar cómo llegó de las Escrituras al púlpito por gracia del Espíritu de Dios. La finalidad en ambos casos será resumida en el propio título del libro: Vengan y experimenten a Dios a través de la Predicación Expositiva. Este llamado correctamente aplicado conectará el pueblo de Dios a la presencia de Dios a través de la Palabra de Dios.
1. Asuntos preliminares (El hombre, el texto y el Espíritu)
2. Preparación (lectura, estudio, audiencia)
3 Exposición (uso/no uso de manuscritos, notas)
La autoría del libro la comparten tres autores que enseñan en el Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Su experiencia académica, pastoral y homilética permite que la teoría sea profundamente bíblica y las aplicaciones prácticas sean cercanamente reconocibles por cualquiera que enseñe las Escrituras.
Lo recomiendo a pastorea y maestros que deseen mejorar su predicación (tanto en la preparación como en la exposición), así como al miembro de iglesia que desee entender mejor un sermón al apreciar cómo llegó de las Escrituras al púlpito por gracia del Espíritu de Dios. La finalidad en ambos casos será resumida en el propio título del libro: Vengan y experimenten a Dios a través de la Predicación Expositiva. Este llamado correctamente aplicado conectará el pueblo de Dios a la presencia de Dios a través de la Palabra de Dios.
October 7, 2017
It was not the beginning of the book, or the end of the book, that stopped me in my tracks, but the middle. Jim Scott Orrick, one of the writers of Encountering God Through Expository Preaching, tells a quick story of surveying audiences about what mode helped lead them to Christ:
“How many of you were converted through a cold-turkey, one-on-one evangelistic encounter?” This is a question that I sometimes ask classes and congregations when I am about to make a point about the importance of preaching. In answer to my question maybe 1 percent raises their hands.
I ask again, “How many of you were converted through reading a gospel tract?” Occasionally someone will raise a hand.
“How many of you were converted through reading the Bible or a book about the Bible on your own?” Again, few hands are raised.
My final question is, “How many of you were converted as a direct result of preaching?” Consistently, over 90 percent of hands go up. (112)
Orrick goes on to acknowledge that this is not to minimize personal evangelism or books about the Bible, but only to assert this truth: our preaching deeply matters. It is time and time again the method God uses to melt the hearts of men and women everywhere. It is critical for preaching pastors to care about their preaching, to do it well and with excellence to God’s glory. We mustn’t waste our time in the pulpit, and the time of the audience listening. This is, more often than not, God’s way of giving His Word to His people.
Encountering God Through Expository Preaching by Orrick, Brian Payne, and Ryan Fullerton, is an important commentary on the ins and outs of expository preaching for the local church. These aren’t household names to most people, which is to the book’s advantage in my opinion. These are educated and experienced preachers, no doubt, but all hold different ministry roles and provide a well-balanced dialogue about what preaching is (or could be) to the common man.
It is not your typical homiletical book, though. Many new themes are discussed. Perhaps most important, the first chapter suggests that expository preaching can only be God-honoring when it is presupposed by a holy man. “When it comes to preaching, the man matters” (3). This is an important first step — how can we expect to preach with conviction, calling people to repent and pursue Christ-centered living, if we are not doing the same?
There are a variety of chapter topics discussed, some with theological emphases (“The Sermon and the Spirit”) and others with more practical emphases (“Preaching without Notes”). Encountering God moves beyond the normal “Observation, Interpretation, Application” formula to present a conversation answering the kinds of questions preachers are really asking. “Is all topical preaching off-limits?” “How should I go about preaching through books?” “Is caring about my delivery vain?” “Should I preach with a manuscript?” All of these questions and more will find answers in Encountering God.
Overall, I think it’s a great and updated resource for any kind of preacher in the local church to consider. Whether you are a senior or associate or youth pastor, or even a volunteer Sunday school teacher, you will benefit from this book! If you believe that preaching matters (and it does), you’ll no doubt find this book useful for your present and future preaching endeavors.
“How many of you were converted through a cold-turkey, one-on-one evangelistic encounter?” This is a question that I sometimes ask classes and congregations when I am about to make a point about the importance of preaching. In answer to my question maybe 1 percent raises their hands.
I ask again, “How many of you were converted through reading a gospel tract?” Occasionally someone will raise a hand.
“How many of you were converted through reading the Bible or a book about the Bible on your own?” Again, few hands are raised.
My final question is, “How many of you were converted as a direct result of preaching?” Consistently, over 90 percent of hands go up. (112)
Orrick goes on to acknowledge that this is not to minimize personal evangelism or books about the Bible, but only to assert this truth: our preaching deeply matters. It is time and time again the method God uses to melt the hearts of men and women everywhere. It is critical for preaching pastors to care about their preaching, to do it well and with excellence to God’s glory. We mustn’t waste our time in the pulpit, and the time of the audience listening. This is, more often than not, God’s way of giving His Word to His people.
Encountering God Through Expository Preaching by Orrick, Brian Payne, and Ryan Fullerton, is an important commentary on the ins and outs of expository preaching for the local church. These aren’t household names to most people, which is to the book’s advantage in my opinion. These are educated and experienced preachers, no doubt, but all hold different ministry roles and provide a well-balanced dialogue about what preaching is (or could be) to the common man.
It is not your typical homiletical book, though. Many new themes are discussed. Perhaps most important, the first chapter suggests that expository preaching can only be God-honoring when it is presupposed by a holy man. “When it comes to preaching, the man matters” (3). This is an important first step — how can we expect to preach with conviction, calling people to repent and pursue Christ-centered living, if we are not doing the same?
There are a variety of chapter topics discussed, some with theological emphases (“The Sermon and the Spirit”) and others with more practical emphases (“Preaching without Notes”). Encountering God moves beyond the normal “Observation, Interpretation, Application” formula to present a conversation answering the kinds of questions preachers are really asking. “Is all topical preaching off-limits?” “How should I go about preaching through books?” “Is caring about my delivery vain?” “Should I preach with a manuscript?” All of these questions and more will find answers in Encountering God.
Overall, I think it’s a great and updated resource for any kind of preacher in the local church to consider. Whether you are a senior or associate or youth pastor, or even a volunteer Sunday school teacher, you will benefit from this book! If you believe that preaching matters (and it does), you’ll no doubt find this book useful for your present and future preaching endeavors.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews