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John MacArthur Pastor's Library
Preaching: How to Preach Biblically
John MacArthur and other distinguished teachers of preachers respond to the apostle's mandate in this comprehensive treatment of expository preaching. Dr. MacArthur's well-known passion for the Scriptures is combined with the vision and expertise of other faculty members at The Master's Seminary to produce a definitive statement on how to unfold the meaning of God's Word effectively to today's congregation. Other contributors James F. Stitzinger, James E. Rosscup, Robert L. Thomas, George J. Zemek, Donald G. McDougall, Richard L. Mayhue, Irvin A. Busenitz, and David C. Deuel.
364 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
165 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
John F. MacArthur Jr.
1,344 books1,949 followersJohn F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 23, 2020
El libro es una mezcla de conceptos variados de predicación. El problema en general es que hay capítulos muy básicos que hacen pensar que el libro es para pastores sin educación teológica; pero por otro lado te habla de diagramar desde el texto original, cosas que sólo un estudiante de teología con unos tres años entenderá.
A pesar de ello, hay elementos a destacar del libro. Creo que no había leído un libro sobre predicación que le dedicara un capítulo a la oración como este. Tampoco uno con tantos recordatorios sobre la importancia del carácter del predicador.
Lo podría recomendar como un libro de referencia para pastores con experiencia ministerial y capacitación teológica.
A pesar de ello, hay elementos a destacar del libro. Creo que no había leído un libro sobre predicación que le dedicara un capítulo a la oración como este. Tampoco uno con tantos recordatorios sobre la importancia del carácter del predicador.
Lo podría recomendar como un libro de referencia para pastores con experiencia ministerial y capacitación teológica.
December 6, 2021
This book has all the disadvantages, and a few of the advantages, that come with a book of essays by different authors. PREACHING has a lot of really good, practical wisdom for those seeking to grow as expositional preachers, but it also feels at times especially uneven, imbalanced, and repetitive.
If you really want a deep-dive into JMac's approach to preaching, this is a great book for you. If you want a well-rounded and engaging handbook on preaching, there are other, better books.
If you really want a deep-dive into JMac's approach to preaching, this is a great book for you. If you want a well-rounded and engaging handbook on preaching, there are other, better books.
May 6, 2019
This Ought to Be the Magna Carta of Preaching.
If there is one book on preaching that every preacher needs to read and apply, it is this one. MacArthur and the other contributors have produced a comprehensive theological resource which equips, challenges and convicts one to labor tirelessly and pray fervently throughout the entire sermon preparation and delivery process.
The book doesn’t merely discuss the mechanics of a sermon, but addresses the godliness of the preacher (character); the ability of the preacher (studying and exegetical skills); the skill of the preacher (moving from exegesis to exposition); and the dynamics of the preacher (convicting and convincing proclamation of his exposition).
The focus of the book is not on the preacher but rather of God and His Word (the preacher’s weapon). MacArthur’s high view of God and His Word influences every page. It is sobering to consider that God “the perfect judge will render perfect judgment on the quality, accuracy, zeal, and effort of the preacher.” It is the preacher’s task “to know and proclaim the mind of Christ,” which require diligent study of His Word. After all, only God can change the sinner, and He does so “by His Spirit through the Word,” therefore the preacher is to “preach the Word.” MacArthur exposes and contrasts the error, danger and utter deception of the “modern approach to ministry,” with those who faithfully study and preach the Word.
This book effectively differentiates between expositional preaching and experience-centered, pragmatic, topical preaching. One way that MacArthur accomplishes this is by providing 10 explanations of what expository preaching is not; and then explains and demonstrates what it is and how to be a faithful expositional preacher. MacArthur shows how expositional preaching is modeled in Scripture, by men such as Jesus, Philip, Stephen, etc.
Every aspect of the sermon is discussed in great detail, such as the title, outline, introduction, conclusion, illustrations, application, the gospel. The various authors who write a chapter on each component also provide many examples and recommended resources to consult in order to prepare and preach expositional sermons for a lifetime of ministry, without being perceived as repetitive. He also discusses the differences in studying and effectively preaching through the many different genres of the Bible, such as historical narrative, wisdom, law, poetry, epistolary, didactic, homilies, etc. And in case the preacher was not convinced, MacArthur provides 15 compelling advantages of expositional preaching, leaving one convinced that there is no other approach to faithful preaching.
MacArthur explains the essential tools that must be employed such as, the text—translating and studying from the original Hebrew and Aramaic (OT) and Greek (NT); sound and consistent literal, grammatical, historical hermeneutic seeking to understand authorial intent and significance in relation to systematic theology, biblical theology, church history, philosophy of religion, apologetics, homiletics, counseling, Christian education, administration, missions, evangelism, contemporary society, ethics, etc. in reliance upon the Spirit’s enablement; and then bridging the gap to the church today and declaring the message to the people.
This book also includes many phenomenal quotes for other expositors—men who loved God and His Word and faithful preached it, such as Baxter, Spurgeon, Flavel, Edwards, Luther, Calvin, etc., whilst at the same time providing us with many treasures through their own writing—MacArthur, Mayhue, Rosscup, Busenitz, Deuel, Dougall, Stitzinger, Thomas, Zemek etc.
These men remind preachers of the privilege and magnitude of this glorious calling, leaving one refreshed and motivated to zealously press forward in God’s strength, for the edification and salvation of God’s people and for the praise and glory of His Name.
If there is one book on preaching that every preacher needs to read and apply, it is this one. MacArthur and the other contributors have produced a comprehensive theological resource which equips, challenges and convicts one to labor tirelessly and pray fervently throughout the entire sermon preparation and delivery process.
The book doesn’t merely discuss the mechanics of a sermon, but addresses the godliness of the preacher (character); the ability of the preacher (studying and exegetical skills); the skill of the preacher (moving from exegesis to exposition); and the dynamics of the preacher (convicting and convincing proclamation of his exposition).
The focus of the book is not on the preacher but rather of God and His Word (the preacher’s weapon). MacArthur’s high view of God and His Word influences every page. It is sobering to consider that God “the perfect judge will render perfect judgment on the quality, accuracy, zeal, and effort of the preacher.” It is the preacher’s task “to know and proclaim the mind of Christ,” which require diligent study of His Word. After all, only God can change the sinner, and He does so “by His Spirit through the Word,” therefore the preacher is to “preach the Word.” MacArthur exposes and contrasts the error, danger and utter deception of the “modern approach to ministry,” with those who faithfully study and preach the Word.
This book effectively differentiates between expositional preaching and experience-centered, pragmatic, topical preaching. One way that MacArthur accomplishes this is by providing 10 explanations of what expository preaching is not; and then explains and demonstrates what it is and how to be a faithful expositional preacher. MacArthur shows how expositional preaching is modeled in Scripture, by men such as Jesus, Philip, Stephen, etc.
Every aspect of the sermon is discussed in great detail, such as the title, outline, introduction, conclusion, illustrations, application, the gospel. The various authors who write a chapter on each component also provide many examples and recommended resources to consult in order to prepare and preach expositional sermons for a lifetime of ministry, without being perceived as repetitive. He also discusses the differences in studying and effectively preaching through the many different genres of the Bible, such as historical narrative, wisdom, law, poetry, epistolary, didactic, homilies, etc. And in case the preacher was not convinced, MacArthur provides 15 compelling advantages of expositional preaching, leaving one convinced that there is no other approach to faithful preaching.
MacArthur explains the essential tools that must be employed such as, the text—translating and studying from the original Hebrew and Aramaic (OT) and Greek (NT); sound and consistent literal, grammatical, historical hermeneutic seeking to understand authorial intent and significance in relation to systematic theology, biblical theology, church history, philosophy of religion, apologetics, homiletics, counseling, Christian education, administration, missions, evangelism, contemporary society, ethics, etc. in reliance upon the Spirit’s enablement; and then bridging the gap to the church today and declaring the message to the people.
This book also includes many phenomenal quotes for other expositors—men who loved God and His Word and faithful preached it, such as Baxter, Spurgeon, Flavel, Edwards, Luther, Calvin, etc., whilst at the same time providing us with many treasures through their own writing—MacArthur, Mayhue, Rosscup, Busenitz, Deuel, Dougall, Stitzinger, Thomas, Zemek etc.
These men remind preachers of the privilege and magnitude of this glorious calling, leaving one refreshed and motivated to zealously press forward in God’s strength, for the edification and salvation of God’s people and for the praise and glory of His Name.
May 26, 2022
Homiletic on exposition preaching. This book introducing many insights how to do exposition and exegesis, including other books reference.
June 1, 2020
Definition of average. Helpful in some spots, not helpful in others.
April 9, 2021
This book provides helpful advice for preaching. The majority of the book is spent on the heart of the preacher and emphasizes his need to know the Word of God. This kind of exhortation is helpful, but not if you are seeking a book on proper sermon structure. This resource does exactly what it intends to do by arguing for faithful biblically teaching that seeks to magnify Christ. Ultimately, it does not provide any great “how to” advice but is still helpful.
May 6, 2024
This was a helpful book put together by the Master’s Seminary, but it is not the only book one should read on preaching.
It raised a number of important points about preaching and exposition, but it was kind of a strange mix of chapters though. Some were strangely fined tuned for specific parts of exegesis or sermon prep and some were extremely broad. Both extremes made some of the chapters less helpful than others. It is not a one and done kind of book, but it is helpful in establishing some preaching categories.
Regardless, John MacArthur, though he is growing into his controversialness with his hot takes, is a great expositor and there were a number of good nuggets of wisdom to take from this book.
It raised a number of important points about preaching and exposition, but it was kind of a strange mix of chapters though. Some were strangely fined tuned for specific parts of exegesis or sermon prep and some were extremely broad. Both extremes made some of the chapters less helpful than others. It is not a one and done kind of book, but it is helpful in establishing some preaching categories.
Regardless, John MacArthur, though he is growing into his controversialness with his hot takes, is a great expositor and there were a number of good nuggets of wisdom to take from this book.
February 3, 2026
Una excelente herramienta para cualquier predicador (yo lo leí en el programa del Seminario), aunque es fundamental ajustar las expectativas sobre su estructura. No estamos ante un manual sistemático, sino ante una valiosa recopilación de artículos independientes.
Lo mejor es que cada capítulo va directo al grano, ofreciendo perlas de sabiduría homilética sin el relleno habitual de los tratados largos. Su formato permite una lectura fragmentada, ideal para buscar inspiración rápida antes de preparar un sermón. Sin embargo, esa misma naturaleza de "mosaico" hace que se pierda un poco el hilo conductor y que algunas transiciones resulten sueltas.
Le doy 4 estrellas porque la calidad del contenido es excepcional y compensa con creces la falta de cohesión interna.
Lo mejor es que cada capítulo va directo al grano, ofreciendo perlas de sabiduría homilética sin el relleno habitual de los tratados largos. Su formato permite una lectura fragmentada, ideal para buscar inspiración rápida antes de preparar un sermón. Sin embargo, esa misma naturaleza de "mosaico" hace que se pierda un poco el hilo conductor y que algunas transiciones resulten sueltas.
Le doy 4 estrellas porque la calidad del contenido es excepcional y compensa con creces la falta de cohesión interna.
April 6, 2019
A phenomenal read covering the whole gamut of topics related to preaching. I would place it somewhere between "beginner" and "intermediate" on the spectrum of intended audience. Even if you've been preaching for many years, reading this book will reinvigorate and renew your passion for expository preaching. If I ever have the blessing and privilege of training budding pastor-teachers, this book will certainly be assigned early on in that process.
January 1, 2021
The pastors library Collection is an asset that I can’t help but deeply recommend. This volume is no exception. It’s not necessarily a how to preach but more so what is expected when you grow through experience. It helps to adapt to your own particular style. It’s from the masters seminary faculty although MacArthur does have a good portion of the chapters. I highlighted quite And will probably refer to it often
May 4, 2024
A good introduction to preaching.
If you have read or studied extensively in hermeneutics, the biblical languages, and exegetical studies, many of these chapters will be a helpful review to you.
The most impactful points of this book are the whole of Part II - on prayer, the preacher as the man of God, and the Holy Spirit in preaching. These chapters gave great insight and clarity to preaching before one steps into the pulpit.
If you have read or studied extensively in hermeneutics, the biblical languages, and exegetical studies, many of these chapters will be a helpful review to you.
The most impactful points of this book are the whole of Part II - on prayer, the preacher as the man of God, and the Holy Spirit in preaching. These chapters gave great insight and clarity to preaching before one steps into the pulpit.
October 16, 2020
Excelente libro que aborda temas esenciales para estar muy preparados en cuanto a la predicación, me ha sido de mucha bendición, cada tema, cada capitulo ha sido muy interesante y de mucha edificación para mi vida espiritual y para mi ministerio en cuanto a la predicación.
January 20, 2021
MacArthur and TMS faculty hit another home run with this volume! Essential for any man preaching expositionally or who wants to learn how to do so. Buy it. Read it. You won't be sorry. Very highly recommend for the pastor!
February 9, 2022
It is a good overview of expository preaching from the guy who helped put it back on the map. It's not incredibly comprehensive, nor is it meant to be.
It is a good start though for guys who want an overview of expository preaching and what it would look like in their everyday life.
It is a good start though for guys who want an overview of expository preaching and what it would look like in their everyday life.
May 18, 2022
Its strength is its weakness: the book is black and white on issues. This convictional attitude is great when applied to clear first-tier issues, but too dogmatic when applied to less important issues 3rd tier issues. Worth the read. Read for preaching class with Jason Allen.
January 25, 2019
Very helpful. Recommended reading for anyone in pastoral ministry.
February 28, 2019
Muy útil!
Consejos muy útiles y aplicables expuestos de manera clara para crecer en la tarea de la predicación de manera expositiva.
Consejos muy útiles y aplicables expuestos de manera clara para crecer en la tarea de la predicación de manera expositiva.
December 2, 2019
This is a mixed bag of contributed chapters on preaching. Some are great, others not so much.
February 25, 2020
Excelente libro. Te muestra la importancia de la predicación Expositiva y te da la herramientas para ella 👍👍
February 24, 2022
I love this book, the one that really got me into serious exposition of Scripture. Doesn't deal a whole lot on "How to" of exposition but more on "Why should we".
May 20, 2022
This was really an outstanding read. Honestly, as just a general introduction to Biblical preaching, there's really not a stone left unturned. I cannot recommend it more.
March 21, 2025
Util
Está é uma tremenda obra sobre exposição Bíblica. É essencial que todos os pastores adquiram este livro para que preguem com mais precisão, poder e paixão.
Está é uma tremenda obra sobre exposição Bíblica. É essencial que todos os pastores adquiram este livro para que preguem com mais precisão, poder e paixão.
August 7, 2025
Fantastic book. Chapter 10 is a gem
July 18, 2025
I approached this book as one already committed to expository preaching. It's a discipline that I grew into from my training at the E.K. Bailey Preaching Conferences in Dallas, back in the late 1990s.
I'm convinced of its validity, and it's hard to overstate the case for it - but that is something these gentlemen do in this volume. They are very rigid thinkers, and they treat expository preaching as if it's the only way to go. Of course, in order to do this they have to discount centuries of other kinds of Christian preaching through history - and at least in the historical sections they are honest about it. (Their method is to hearken back to the pre-Constantinian era as a golden age of the church, discounting everything that followed by the corruption afterward ensued. So most everything since before the Protestant Reformation is treated like an aberration.)
In a compilation piece like this one, the quality always varies from chapter to chapter. There are multiple authors. MacArthur's entries are the most quotable ones. Robert L. Thomas has a really good chapter on exegesis and expository preaching. Some of it is dragged down with technical information - either with linguistic details and/or bibliographic lists.
On the other hand, one of its strengths is the commitment to having good study/research behind every sermon. These authors are not susceptible to cheap proof-texting. There are a few places, however, where the need to alliterate seems to make their interpretations a bit contrived. This was especially true with George J. Zemek's chapter on grammatical analysis.
I was also struck by how sexist these guys are. I'm not typically shocked by the common complementarian-type of views. (If we include the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox strands of Christendom, they're the most common type out there.) But the fellows in this book couldn't even include a single female author of a biblical commentary. One wonders if the racial tilt isn't likewise slanted towards white males. This is unacceptable for me; if we're preaching to diverse audiences in a diverse world, that requires diverse input - regardless of one's take on gender in the pulpit.
On the positive side: MacArthur's transparency about his method was helpful. He opens up to his audience about the details of it. Acknowledging that each preacher is different and that each one of us has to discover what works for us, it's helpful to see how someone as renowned as MacArthur does it. He even included a set of hand-written sermon notes (in his own handwriting) at the end of the book, to give us an idea of what he actually takes into the pulpit. No single preacher should ever be emulated scrupulously, but it's unquestionably helpful to see one good example of how it gets it done.
In spite of all the excesses of this book, it was still a useful read. It's helpful to learn from a well-disciplined approach to proclamation.
I'm convinced of its validity, and it's hard to overstate the case for it - but that is something these gentlemen do in this volume. They are very rigid thinkers, and they treat expository preaching as if it's the only way to go. Of course, in order to do this they have to discount centuries of other kinds of Christian preaching through history - and at least in the historical sections they are honest about it. (Their method is to hearken back to the pre-Constantinian era as a golden age of the church, discounting everything that followed by the corruption afterward ensued. So most everything since before the Protestant Reformation is treated like an aberration.)
In a compilation piece like this one, the quality always varies from chapter to chapter. There are multiple authors. MacArthur's entries are the most quotable ones. Robert L. Thomas has a really good chapter on exegesis and expository preaching. Some of it is dragged down with technical information - either with linguistic details and/or bibliographic lists.
On the other hand, one of its strengths is the commitment to having good study/research behind every sermon. These authors are not susceptible to cheap proof-texting. There are a few places, however, where the need to alliterate seems to make their interpretations a bit contrived. This was especially true with George J. Zemek's chapter on grammatical analysis.
I was also struck by how sexist these guys are. I'm not typically shocked by the common complementarian-type of views. (If we include the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox strands of Christendom, they're the most common type out there.) But the fellows in this book couldn't even include a single female author of a biblical commentary. One wonders if the racial tilt isn't likewise slanted towards white males. This is unacceptable for me; if we're preaching to diverse audiences in a diverse world, that requires diverse input - regardless of one's take on gender in the pulpit.
On the positive side: MacArthur's transparency about his method was helpful. He opens up to his audience about the details of it. Acknowledging that each preacher is different and that each one of us has to discover what works for us, it's helpful to see how someone as renowned as MacArthur does it. He even included a set of hand-written sermon notes (in his own handwriting) at the end of the book, to give us an idea of what he actually takes into the pulpit. No single preacher should ever be emulated scrupulously, but it's unquestionably helpful to see one good example of how it gets it done.
In spite of all the excesses of this book, it was still a useful read. It's helpful to learn from a well-disciplined approach to proclamation.
July 27, 2024
I think the book made a strong case for how preaching should be done without a lot of practical help for how you actually do it. Lots of space was given to scripture interpretation which I understand is part of the process, but I was hoping for more help on the craft and delivery of sermons, how to handle the congregation afterward, the pastor himself after the sermon, etc.
Probably the most helpful chapter was Macarthur’s chapter on his own process including what he does during the week and night before sunday.
Probably the most helpful chapter was Macarthur’s chapter on his own process including what he does during the week and night before sunday.
October 16, 2014
Good, though at times I feel as though they are writing as though you already know what they are talking about and how to do it. Not for the lay preacher, but certainly good for those already schooled in preaching to a certain degree. Personally I preferred Power in the Pulpit by Vines & Shaddix better.
November 5, 2010
Fantastic book centered around expository preaching. Great tips and information for pastors.
June 5, 2018
If you want to be a preacher this is an excellent book. It has great advice that will come helpful for preachers, even if they had preached before.
July 21, 2022
Outdated, disorganized, and difficult to follow due to every chapter having a different author. Will probably never return.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews