"When an "expository" sermon seems uninteresting, many times it is because the preacher has failed to personalize the message to himself. Though the preacher may speak forth wondrous truths and believe the veracity and infallibility of each word, much will be lost if the man and the message have never embraced. Yes, the verbs were parsed and the outline was alliterated, but the preacher never preached the sermon to himself.
Unless a man has taken the time to reflect on the meaning of the message in his own life, his preaching will seem unmoving and disengaging. That is not to say that each sermon reveals a personal story or insight from the pastor's life. The use of personal anecdotes must be used sparingly if they are used at all. Yet, even though the sermon is never to be about the preacher on a personal level, it must always be a personal matter to him before it can ever be an effectual matter to others. A lack of personal application, meditation, and evaluation communicates louder than words; but the man who has personally pondered the truth he is about to proclaim will be able to grip the hearts of even the most critical of listeners. When he speaks they will sense that his own heart has been gripped by the truth he proclaims.
Though it is vital that the Bible be explained accurately it must also be proclaimed passionately. Lifeless sermons have no place coming from the living Word of the living God. Genuine expository preaching is powerful, persuasive, purposeful, practical, and personal. Conversely, preaching that is boring, tedious, or dull is not truly expository—no matter what label is placed on it.
A "boring expositor" should be an oxymoron in the church. The genuine exposition of Scripture inevitably lights people's hearts on fire (Jer. 23:29)."
- Tom Patton
Tom Patton is the pastor of Pastoral Care at Grace Community Church. He is married to Lori, his bride of 16 years, and has three wonderful sons that keep them very busy.
This is from www.gty.org
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