Christ-
Centered
Preaching

Redeeming the

Expository Sermon

Second Edition

Bryan
Chapell

Baker Academic

Grand Rapids, Michigan

© 1994, 2005 by Bryan Chapell

Published by Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakeracademic.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Chapell, Bryan.

Christ-centered preaching : redeeming the expository sermon / Bryan Chapell.—2nd ed.

p.       cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-8010-2798-7

ISBN 0-8010-2798-5 (hardcover)

1. Preaching. 2. Bible—Homiletical use. I.Title.

BV4211.3.C48  2005

251—dc22 2004018671

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973,1978,1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified kjv are from the King James Version of the Bible.

To
my wife, Kathy,
for the love, family, home, and friendship the Lord has graced us to share

Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Acknowledgments

Part 1 Principles for Expository Preaching

1 Word and Witness

2 Obligations of the Sermon

3 The Priority of the Text

4 Components of Exposition

Part 2 Preparation of Expository Sermons

5 The Process of Explanation

6 Outlining and Structure

7 The Pattern of Illustration

8 The Practice of Application

9 Introductions, Conclusions, and Transitions

Part 3 A Theology of Christ-Centered Messages

10 A Redemptive Approach to Preaching

11 Developing Redemptive Sermons

Appendixes

1 A Philosophy of Delivery and Dress

2 A Philosophy of Style

3 Methods of Preparation

4 Methods of Presentation

5 Divisions and Proportions

6 Wedding Messages

7 Funeral Messages

8 Evangelistic Messages

9 Study Resources

10 Reading Scripture

11 Sample Sermon Evaluation Form

12 Sample Sermon

Bibliography

Index

Figures

1.1 Components of a Gospel Message

4.1 An Information-Priority Message

4.2 An Exposition-Priority Message

4.3 Balanced Exposition Double Helix

4.4 Exposition Component Variations

5.1 Examples of Grammatical Outlines

5.2 Traditional Mechanical Layout of 2 Timothy 4:1–2

5.3 Alternative Mechanical Layout of 2 Timothy 4:2

6.1 The “Moves” of Communication

6.2 Traditional and Mass Communication Sermon Comparisons

7.1 Double Helix Illustration Perspective

8.1 The Sermon as Application Leverage

8.2 Application as Expositional Target

8.3 Main-Point Application Development

8.4 Application Magnified

8.5 Focusing Application with Situational Specificity

8.6 The Application Breaking Point

9.1 The Introduction Chain

9.2...