What is expository pastoral preaching? Many years ago, I heard @JohnStott_ answer as follows: "To open up the inspired text with such faithfulness and sensitivity that God's voice is heard and God's people respond appropriately."

He went on to explain...
"This shows two convictions about the text, two requirements of the preacher, and two expectations of the message. First, the text is A) in need of being opened - as Philip did with the Ethiopian Eunuch, and B) inspired - it is God's Spirit-breathed word via man to mankind."
"Second, the messenger must show fidelity to the text, saying what it says, but must also do so in a way that meets those who hear where they are, in their culture and language, amid their concerns and true needs. At the intersection of fidelity and sensitivity, we would expect..
... first, that God's voice is clearly heard speaking by what he has already spoken, clearly, lovingly, and boldly. Second, we would expect that, with the Spirit thus working with the word in the heart & mind of those who hear, people will respond to the message as needed."
I don't think I've come across a better explanation of the work and hope of preaching in pastoral ministry. Perhaps you know of others, equally helpful or even superior. Please share them.

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More from @dpcassidyC3

26 Jan
Loved singing this hymn @RedeemerATX - great joy welled up & overflowed with every verse.
#hymns #Praise

1 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord:
unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.
2 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name:
make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name the Lord, the Mighty One.
3 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might:
pow'rs and dominions lay their glory by;
proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Read 4 tweets
26 Jan
I'm going to be dealing out some TS Eliot 'Choruses from the Rock' over the next few nights. Let's get this started.

The Eagle soars in the summit of Heaven,
The Hunter with his dogs pursues his circuit.
O perpetual revolution of configured stars...
O perpetual recurrence of determined seasons,
O world of spring and autumn, birth and dying!
The endless cycle of idea and action,
Endless invention, endless experiment,
Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness;
Knowledge of speech, but not of silence;
Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word.
All our knowledge brings us nearer to our ignorance,
All our ignorance brings us nearer to death,
But nearness to death no nearer to God.
Where is the Life we have lost in living?
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Read 4 tweets
25 Jan
1 Rejoice, the Lord is King:
your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing,
and triumph evermore.

Refrain:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
2 Jesus the Savior reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above. [Refrain]

3 His kingdom cannot fail,
he rules o'er earth and heav'n;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus giv'n. [Refrain]
4 He sits at God's right hand
till all his foes submit,
and bow to his command,
and fall beneath his feet. [Refrain]

5 Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord, the Judge, shall come,
and take his servants up
to their eternal home. [Refrain]
Read 4 tweets
24 Jan
All human life is precious to God, fashioned by his hand, created in his image, and designed for eternal communion with him. From our mother's wombs, through the struggles of our years, and down to old age, he is guiding and caring for us.
So yes, as Christians we have sought to cherish the pre-born, rescue the orphan, feed and clothe the needy, protect those differently-abled and wounded, and likewise the elderly from neglect and abuse. We seek justice for all as image-bearers of the Almighty...
...and none of these issues may be Scripturally separated from each other.

From Rachel carrying 'nations' in her womb (Genesis 25) to Mary nourishing Christ in hers; from Mephibosheth's seat at the table to supper at Simon the Leper's house...
Read 7 tweets
17 Jan
The 'median' Christian in the world is not male but female, not white but brown, black, or Asian, 22 years old, in the developing world rather than the first world—and far more Pentecostal than Presbyterian. She has not been to a Passion conference; she has not read CS Lewis...
... or Christianity Today; she has not read your blog, nor mine, and does not go to Starbucks to work on her sermons, and really isn't too worked up over whether the latest lyric from Hillsongs agrees with the Westminster Confession. She's not afraid to suffer either.
Over 215 million believers are persecuted with intimidation, prison, and even death for their faith in Jesus Christ across the world, Open Doors USA lists the top 10 persecutors of Christians: Islamic Extremists, Hindu Nationalists, North Korean & Chinese Government…
Read 6 tweets
17 Jan
How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
"Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed;
for I am your God, and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
"When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
Read 6 tweets

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