The preaching and proclamation of God’s word is vitally important in the church. We have been given the thoughts and truth of God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to wonder what God is like, because He Himself has told us. We don’t have to wonder what God wants, because He Himself has told us. We don’t have to wonder how we can know Him or please Him, because He Himself has told us.
We have no greater authority than God Himself. Therefore, we have no greater authority than the word that He has given us. His word is sufficient in that it is enough for us to know God, to know His salvation, and to know His will for our lives.
Therefore, the primary task of the preacher is to tell God’s people what God said about Himself, about them, and about their world, and to shepherd them wisely to apply the truth to their lives.
In part 1, we looked at seven caricatures the preachers can embrace, and we looked at their effects on the church. This week I would like to look at one more caricature and its effects on the congregation.
The Shepherd-Expositor
This pastor understands his primary task, and seeks primarily to tell God’s people what God Himself has revealed through His word. He will seek to eliminate distractions from that task, and will do everything that he can do to point people to the Scriptures.
The second word is “Expositor.” The word “Expositor” simply means: One who “exposes.” In the case of the preacher, it is one who “exposes” the word of God from the pages of Scripture. Rather than reading into the text his own interpretive preferences or using the Scripture to say what he wants to say, the expositor is bound in conscience to expose the actual meaning of God’s word as God’s word presents it. To expose what is there.
The first word is “Shepherd.” This is an important part of the calling of this pastor as he seeks to guide the congregation to be able to wisely apply God’s truth to their lives. In other words, this pastor will seek to faithfully deliver God’s truth through the Scripture as he seeks to help them to apply it faithfully. This pastor seeks to know the flock well, care for the flock carefully, and pray for the flock persistently.
In part 1, we asked the question, “What is Your Pastor Doing to You?” And, for each of the seven caricatures of the pastor, we looked at the effects for the congregation. In part 2, we are going to look at 3 effects for the congregation under a Shepherd-Expositor.
First, we grow as expositors
As a congregation is able to see and experience the word of God exposed before them, they will begin to grow in their ability to better handle the Scriptures. In other words, expository preachers develop expositors.
Second, we grow as shepherds
As the congregation is able to see the way that the Shepherd-Expositor applies God’s truth to life, the congregation will grow in their ability to do the same. As a result, the congregation will grow in their ability to shepherd and care for each other, engaging in the “pastoral duties” in which the Scriptures call the body of Christ to engage.
Third, we grow in our love for the message (not just the messenger)
The greatest compliment for a Shepherd-Expositor to hear after a sermon is not; “Wow, you are a great communicator!” Or, “Wow, you were hilarious today!” Instead, the single greatest compliment is, “Wow… Our God is so good!” Or, “Wow, our God is so much bigger than I thought!” The Shepherd-Expositor seeks to draw the attention of the church to the God of the Bible in order that affections are stirred and grow for HIM… not for them. As a result, the congregation will grow in their love for God and His word.
Up to this point, we have looked at what our pastor is doing to us. Next week, we will look at what we can do for our pastors.