Expository preaching

== Scriptural basis for exposition ==
For those who believe that the dominant source of Christian understanding is the Bible, it may seem obvious that expository preaching should be essential (though this is not the case with the seeker movement). Nonetheless the logic of their position demands that preaching itself should have a scriptural warrant.

The biblical basis for expository preaching can be found in many places in the Bible. [[2 Timothy]] 3:16–17 is perhaps the most important, for it states that Scripture is breathed out by God, which means that the Bible is actually God's words. The phrase breathed out is also a link to the Holy Spirit, which shows a link between the work of God's Spirit, and the work of God's Word. The verse also goes on to explain that Scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. This shows that the Bible is not theoretical, but practical in its application. Finally, it states that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. This has been claimed to show the sufficiency of scripture – that it is all that a Christian needs to understand his faith and how to live his life.

Another primary passage of Scripture that expositors point to is 2 Timothy 4:1–2. In this passage, Paul commands the young pastor Timothy to "preach the Word." These three simple words in their context are a strong argument for the necessity of expository preaching. The word for "preach" is a word meaning to herald. Here the preacher is commanded to be a herald, someone who communicates a message not their own. The content of the heralding that they are to do is "the Word." The task of the preacher, therefore, is to communicate the Word of God. This passage is a central argument for the biblical mandate for expository preaching.

Another important verse is [[Ephesians]] 6:17, which states that the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. This indicates again the link between the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of God's word. It shows that when the word of God is read, examined and applied, there also works the Holy Spirit.

A third important verse is found in [[Epistle to the Hebrews|Hebrews]] 4:12, which says that The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. This second picture of God's word as a deadly sword is deliberate, not because of the violence it implies, but because of the change it can bring to those who listen to God's word. Here also the word of God is almost given a personality of its own – which implies, again, the hidden work of the Holy Spirit as it works with the word of God to change people's lives.