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Topical or Expository Preaching
Topical or Expository Preaching?
Topical preaching is often contrasted to expository preaching. While I prefer the latter, I find myself often doing the former. Let’s talk about this.
Expository preaching has its advantages because it should focus on context as the primary method. However, preachers can chase rabbits down many proverbial hobby-horse holes! (How’s that for a mixed metaphor!). Some expository preachers can get uppity thinking their style is best. Some even claim it is the only scriptural way. The problem with that is every expository text is written on a topic and therefore is topical! For example, the first sermon after Jesus’s resurrection is about Jesus as the prophesied resurrected king from God (Acts 2).
Topical preaching can be the biased choice of many in the pew and behind the pulpit because it is more specific to needs. But it has a weakness. Topical preaching can become so cross-reference reliant that the cross-references are solely focused on superficial similarities such as words. Words can be used differently based on context which is why even topical preaching needs to be expositorially researched.
We have our preferences. However:
1. Expository preaching can be ruined by forcing topics not found in the context because the preacher is really using the text to preach topically.
2. Topical preaching can be ruined by forcing connections between texts that are not inspired similarities because the preacher has already decided his points and then forces texts to make his point.
What is the solution? Whether expository or topical, let the context rule in your sermon.
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