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Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages
This bestselling text by Haddon Robinson, considered by many to be the "teacher of preachers," has sold over 300,000 copies and is a contemporary classic in the field. It offers students, pastors, and Bible teachers expert guidance in the development and delivery of expository sermons. This new edition has been updated throughout and includes helpful exercises.
Praise for the Second Edition
Named "One of the 25 Most Influential Preaching Books of the Past 25 Years" by Preaching
"[An] outstanding introduction to the task of preparing and presenting biblical sermons. More than any other book of the past quarter century, Biblical Preaching has profoundly influenced a generation of evangelical preachers."--Preaching
Praise for the Second Edition
Named "One of the 25 Most Influential Preaching Books of the Past 25 Years" by Preaching
"[An] outstanding introduction to the task of preparing and presenting biblical sermons. More than any other book of the past quarter century, Biblical Preaching has profoundly influenced a generation of evangelical preachers."--Preaching
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
Haddon W. Robinson
53 books44 followersHaddon W. Robinson (PhD, University of Illinois) was the Harold John Ockenga Distinguished Professor of Preaching and senior director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He authored numerous books, including It's All in How You Tell It and Making a Difference in Preaching.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
September 14, 2010
I have mixed feelings on this book. Having just finished Preaching 601 I have mixed feelings on Dr. Robinson's class in general.
Positives:
- Very practical
- Does not overspiritualize the process of preaching - brings in a lot of basic communication theory and applies it to preaching.
Negatives:
- I'm unconvinced that a sermon can have only one basic idea and that it needs to be reduced to a slogan-like title.
- I'm unconvinced that preaching without a manuscript (as we had to in class) is necessary or even helpful.
- Book and class often felt like an undergraduate public speaking class because of Robinson's de-emphasis on specific theological content.
Positives:
- Very practical
- Does not overspiritualize the process of preaching - brings in a lot of basic communication theory and applies it to preaching.
Negatives:
- I'm unconvinced that a sermon can have only one basic idea and that it needs to be reduced to a slogan-like title.
- I'm unconvinced that preaching without a manuscript (as we had to in class) is necessary or even helpful.
- Book and class often felt like an undergraduate public speaking class because of Robinson's de-emphasis on specific theological content.
July 1, 2022
Robinson seeks out in his work to lay forth the case for expository preaching as being the form of preaching which “best carries the force of divine authority.” This is because true expository preaching has no pre-planned “agenda,” but simply seeks out to present passionately, contextually, and applicably the very words and ideas in a unit of biblical text (p. 4). He identifies dangers to clear preaching such as fragmentation of unrelated ideas that do not unify within “the Big Idea” of the sermon (p. 16-17). He likens good preaching to be more akin to a bullet rather than buckshot (p. 17). The central theme then should be the central idea of the unit of Scripture from which a preacher is preaching, and the sermon should be limited to the literary unit of biblical thought (p. 30). The primary purpose of the work is to define and present the great need for expository preaching in the church and then detail the development and delivery of faithful Bible sermons.
The final two chapters transition from the development of sermons to the delivery of the message. These chapters are richly filled with practical admonitions for the preacher seeking to sharpen his craft.
This book is a great example of a thorough, content-rich treatise on the development and delivery of sermons. Even though every suggestion may not be followed or even encouraged by other homiliticians, the overall practical nature of this work is profound. It is clear that Haddon Robinson knows and loves good preaching, but even more clear is that he loves the source of preaching, the Scriptures, which alone has the power to effectuate real life change.
The final remarks of the book are especially significant to personal ministry. He recounts the story of the feeding of the five thousand and illustrates that every preacher, like the lad, stands with a sermon, no matter how well developed and delivered, with an inadequate “meal” for the crowds. However, the difference will always be Jesus. Jesus through the Spirit can feed crowds. Robinson concludes, “You must give your sermon to Him. Preaching is ultimately His work,” (p. 169).
The final two chapters transition from the development of sermons to the delivery of the message. These chapters are richly filled with practical admonitions for the preacher seeking to sharpen his craft.
This book is a great example of a thorough, content-rich treatise on the development and delivery of sermons. Even though every suggestion may not be followed or even encouraged by other homiliticians, the overall practical nature of this work is profound. It is clear that Haddon Robinson knows and loves good preaching, but even more clear is that he loves the source of preaching, the Scriptures, which alone has the power to effectuate real life change.
The final remarks of the book are especially significant to personal ministry. He recounts the story of the feeding of the five thousand and illustrates that every preacher, like the lad, stands with a sermon, no matter how well developed and delivered, with an inadequate “meal” for the crowds. However, the difference will always be Jesus. Jesus through the Spirit can feed crowds. Robinson concludes, “You must give your sermon to Him. Preaching is ultimately His work,” (p. 169).
January 10, 2025
Really good. This book has a strong bend towards practical help for sermon writing and delivery. Robinson’s clarity of steps for crafting a sermon have been easily the most helpful I’ve encountered. Big thumbs up for me.
That said, this book is not sufficient for all the information a man will need if he aspiring to be a preacher. Robinson can sometimes appear to rely too much upon practical tips in his description of the task of preaching. So I don’t think this book can serve well as a book to inspire. But simply to equip, my favorite so far.
That said, this book is not sufficient for all the information a man will need if he aspiring to be a preacher. Robinson can sometimes appear to rely too much upon practical tips in his description of the task of preaching. So I don’t think this book can serve well as a book to inspire. But simply to equip, my favorite so far.
November 10, 2021
A must read if you want to improve at preaching. This is the book I’ve been longing for, immensely practical, yet committed to the supremacy of Gods word.
“Seminary takes 3 years to complete and 10 years to get over. Use simple language.”
“Seminary takes 3 years to complete and 10 years to get over. Use simple language.”
August 18, 2026
The best way I know to review this book is to compare it with Lloyd-Jones’ Preaching and Preachers. The commanding image in Preaching and Preachers is the man on fire. He emphasizes that powerful preaching emerges from the powerful work of the Spirit of God — in the Spirit-anointed preacher (the man on fire), through the Spirit-inspired Word, and among the Spirit-indwelled congregation. In contrast to this, Robinson’s Biblical Preaching reads like a science textbook on preaching, complete with diagrams of the human diaphragm! While it does include plenty of helpful principles, it certainly lacks the spiritual emphasis that so clearly characterizes Preaching and Preachers. This is Biblical Preaching’s greatest weakness.
February 10, 2024
Extremely helpful. I will definitely return to this book often.
September 22, 2026
Biblical Preaching is an extremely comprehensive and all-encompassing treatment of expository preaching. It is an excellent book that every expositor and aspiring expository preacher should read.
One aspect of *Biblical Preaching* that I found particularly helpful was Robinson’s insistence that accurate exegesis, while indispensable, does not by itself constitute a sermon. After determining the exegetical idea, the preacher must continue asking the developmental questions: What does this mean? Is it true? Do I believe it? So what? What difference does it make? Robinson’s framework helped me think more carefully about the movement from the author’s intended meaning to the theological idea, the homiletical idea, and finally to a clearly defined purpose for the sermon.
I found this particularly useful because there can be a temptation in expository preaching to assume that if the exegesis is accurate and the structure follows the text, the sermon is essentially complete. Robinson reminds us that the preacher must also wrestle with why this particular truth matters for these particular hearers. This does not mean imposing contemporary concerns upon the text, but faithfully carrying the author’s intended meaning through to its legitimate implications and application for the congregation.
This challenged me to give greater attention in my own preparation to articulating not merely what the text says, but what, by God’s grace, I am seeking for the hearers to understand, believe, or do because of what the text says.
I think that final sentence gives it a particularly good doctoral-discussion-board feel: appreciative, reflective, and personally applicatory without sounding as though Robinson introduced you to expository preaching for the first time.
One aspect of *Biblical Preaching* that I found particularly helpful was Robinson’s insistence that accurate exegesis, while indispensable, does not by itself constitute a sermon. After determining the exegetical idea, the preacher must continue asking the developmental questions: What does this mean? Is it true? Do I believe it? So what? What difference does it make? Robinson’s framework helped me think more carefully about the movement from the author’s intended meaning to the theological idea, the homiletical idea, and finally to a clearly defined purpose for the sermon.
I found this particularly useful because there can be a temptation in expository preaching to assume that if the exegesis is accurate and the structure follows the text, the sermon is essentially complete. Robinson reminds us that the preacher must also wrestle with why this particular truth matters for these particular hearers. This does not mean imposing contemporary concerns upon the text, but faithfully carrying the author’s intended meaning through to its legitimate implications and application for the congregation.
This challenged me to give greater attention in my own preparation to articulating not merely what the text says, but what, by God’s grace, I am seeking for the hearers to understand, believe, or do because of what the text says.
I think that final sentence gives it a particularly good doctoral-discussion-board feel: appreciative, reflective, and personally applicatory without sounding as though Robinson introduced you to expository preaching for the first time.
July 8, 2015
We used this as our textbook for our Bible institute class on preaching. It is just the right length and depth for a semester-long class, and I just can't use other formats—this is the one I cut my teeth on and the method I still use today.
Bro. Sam Davison used to always say tongue in cheek, "The Bible sure messes up a lot of good preaching!" It's funny because it's true. Is that sermon what God intended to say or what you intended to say? I am not on the hyper-exclusive train, as if God CAN'T move in someone's heart if it's an "unbiblical" sermon. In fact, looking back, I've made a lot of great spiritual decisions for Christ sitting under what I would now consider questionable sermons, but I believe God knows what he's doing with all of that.
I just want to preach the Bible and help people know God through His Word. This book helps with that. It encourages the preacher to plant his sermon firmly in God's Word, and get ALL his ideas from the text. There's plenty there... why do we feel like we need to go somewhere else for ideas? Why get creative when we have the Creator's own words?
I also love the emphasis on big-idea preaching. Sunukjian sharpens the format perhaps a little better, but Robinson was my first exposure, so I'm sticking with it. I just love the way it encourages a rifle, not a shotgun. One sermon, not many sermons lumped into one speech. One point with many supporting thoughts, not many thoughts with weirdly-alliterated (obliterated?) points.
Perhaps this review is a big philosophical and doesn't deal with the book very much, but I've loved the book for 20 years. Huge fan. Check it out. :)
Bro. Sam Davison used to always say tongue in cheek, "The Bible sure messes up a lot of good preaching!" It's funny because it's true. Is that sermon what God intended to say or what you intended to say? I am not on the hyper-exclusive train, as if God CAN'T move in someone's heart if it's an "unbiblical" sermon. In fact, looking back, I've made a lot of great spiritual decisions for Christ sitting under what I would now consider questionable sermons, but I believe God knows what he's doing with all of that.
I just want to preach the Bible and help people know God through His Word. This book helps with that. It encourages the preacher to plant his sermon firmly in God's Word, and get ALL his ideas from the text. There's plenty there... why do we feel like we need to go somewhere else for ideas? Why get creative when we have the Creator's own words?
I also love the emphasis on big-idea preaching. Sunukjian sharpens the format perhaps a little better, but Robinson was my first exposure, so I'm sticking with it. I just love the way it encourages a rifle, not a shotgun. One sermon, not many sermons lumped into one speech. One point with many supporting thoughts, not many thoughts with weirdly-alliterated (obliterated?) points.
Perhaps this review is a big philosophical and doesn't deal with the book very much, but I've loved the book for 20 years. Huge fan. Check it out. :)
August 13, 2014
This book is a classic. Haddon Robinson does a solid job explaining what expository preaching is, why it is important, and how to do it. The weakness of Biblical Preaching is that it tends to be a little stiff in its format of sermon development, but you won’t go wrong in following Robinson’s advice!
December 9, 2025
Haddon Robinson's Biblical Preaching is an excellent primer on the spirit and mechanics of Biblical preaching. As someone who has learned preaching largely by observation and careful analysis, this book was helpful to me because it crystallized some of the things I already believed about preaching and illuminated areas where I can grow. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, even with some minor quibbles.
Chapters one and two are essentially on the philosophy of expository preaching. Robinson offers his own views as well as robust Biblical support for his methods. He is often more balanced in his view of topical and textual preaching than the modern social media crowd, and that is refreshing. He recognizes the appropriateness of a topical sermon, but rightly stresses that it should still be explanatory in nature, rightly interpreting and applying the Scriptures. The rest of the book is concerned with the mechanics of sermon construction and delivery, all of which is helpful to the one wishing to learn and sharpen the craft of preaching.
While I have notes and highlights throughout the book, this quote stood out to me as especially pertinent. Robinson wrote, "We must preach to a world addressed by the novelist, the columnist, and the playwright. If we do not, we will have Chearers who are orthodox in their heads but heretics in their conduct." I wrote in the margin of the book, "and so we do," because this plague is rampant in Western Christianity today. I would add we must also preach to the heart, for we have those who are orthodox in both thought and conduct, but heretics in their hearts.
Most people should read this book, as indicated by my rating, but preachers and teachers will find it especially helpful. It will be most beneficial to the thoughtful beginner. Much of the book is basic, so the experienced reader will not find much of value. It is neither a long nor complicated book, however, and thus the person in the pew who listens to preaching and wants to develop a more discerning ear will find some useful tools in it.
Chapters one and two are essentially on the philosophy of expository preaching. Robinson offers his own views as well as robust Biblical support for his methods. He is often more balanced in his view of topical and textual preaching than the modern social media crowd, and that is refreshing. He recognizes the appropriateness of a topical sermon, but rightly stresses that it should still be explanatory in nature, rightly interpreting and applying the Scriptures. The rest of the book is concerned with the mechanics of sermon construction and delivery, all of which is helpful to the one wishing to learn and sharpen the craft of preaching.
While I have notes and highlights throughout the book, this quote stood out to me as especially pertinent. Robinson wrote, "We must preach to a world addressed by the novelist, the columnist, and the playwright. If we do not, we will have Chearers who are orthodox in their heads but heretics in their conduct." I wrote in the margin of the book, "and so we do," because this plague is rampant in Western Christianity today. I would add we must also preach to the heart, for we have those who are orthodox in both thought and conduct, but heretics in their hearts.
Most people should read this book, as indicated by my rating, but preachers and teachers will find it especially helpful. It will be most beneficial to the thoughtful beginner. Much of the book is basic, so the experienced reader will not find much of value. It is neither a long nor complicated book, however, and thus the person in the pew who listens to preaching and wants to develop a more discerning ear will find some useful tools in it.
January 18, 2025
This book was a classic in its day, focusing on finding the Big Idea in the passage and using the "subject with a complement" sermon proposition. If this had been the only book on expository preaching for decades when I read it, I'm sure my review would have a different focus. While chapter 2 (on the Big Idea) and especially chapter 6 (on different types of sermons and outlines) was helpful, overall the book felt more like a college class on public speaking for Bible teachers than specifically for preachers. Also, the pithy little aphorisms mentioned throughout left me pondering what was actually be said about the author's bibliology. This book is helpful to the preacher to read through, but I recommend he continue on to other, more advanced works, like Albert Martin's Pastoral Theology, Vol 2:...Preaching and Teaching Labors, or Preaching: How to Preach Biblically (MacArthur Pastor's Library), or Lloyd-Jones' Preaching and Preachers.
January 27, 2023
Very good. His "Case for Expository Preaching" in Chapter 1 is excellent, and definitely the best part of the book. The rest is more basic, but good, with some good quotes along the way.
September 28, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, and it excited me to be a better communicator of the Bible! Very practical and helpful.
March 18, 2026
It's been six years since I've read this book. Six years later, it still holds up and is essential reading for anybody who desires to preach God's Word.
April 25, 2020
I enjoyed several aspects of this book on the practical level. Much to be gained from the technical study aspects presented. My hiccup is due to my belief about the danger of multiple Bible versions. All in all, it is a book that I would recommend to any student of the craft of preaching.
November 4, 2025
A short and sharp how-to for organizing and delivering expository sermons, but the categories seemed muddled and unhelpful.
•••
The bulk of the book discusses organizing the main point of a text into a sermon, along with the style and delivery necessary to get the point across.
The book is most useful when it gets practical, the type of advice on thinking and speaking you don't think of until you do it a while. There is very little fluff, he gets to the point and moves on, which is refreshing.
The book is at its worst, however, when it tackles complex concepts. His categories for the central point of the sermon, subject and complement, are at best vague — it boils down to "what is the topic" and "what is being said about the topic," which is just the long way of asking all over again "what's the point?" without offering much guidance. Furthermore, I wasn't a big fan of his 10-page case for expository preaching, since it felt like it spent too much time complaining about bad preaching and not enough time actually considering alternatives or commending his expository method.
•••
As a concise book on one preaching method, this basically meets its goals, but I would much rather have another book.
•••
The bulk of the book discusses organizing the main point of a text into a sermon, along with the style and delivery necessary to get the point across.
The book is most useful when it gets practical, the type of advice on thinking and speaking you don't think of until you do it a while. There is very little fluff, he gets to the point and moves on, which is refreshing.
The book is at its worst, however, when it tackles complex concepts. His categories for the central point of the sermon, subject and complement, are at best vague — it boils down to "what is the topic" and "what is being said about the topic," which is just the long way of asking all over again "what's the point?" without offering much guidance. Furthermore, I wasn't a big fan of his 10-page case for expository preaching, since it felt like it spent too much time complaining about bad preaching and not enough time actually considering alternatives or commending his expository method.
•••
As a concise book on one preaching method, this basically meets its goals, but I would much rather have another book.
March 12, 2025
While I read the third edition I can’t find it. This book is amazing for anyone who will be doing public speaking but specifically preaching, from what you say, to body movements it is all very useful. Coming from someone who has trouble getting ideas across and just the other day had major miscommunication in saying my thought on a Bible verse, it’ll be one I keep around and periodically read through to work on speaking more clearly.
October 3, 2025
Pretty alright. Nothing earth shattering. Can’t fault it for being right down the middle. The best part was last chapter where he acknowledged that even the best exegesis and sermon construction is nothing apart from the Spirit
January 7, 2026
Good book. Not a ton of new things that I learned but remembering a lot of things that I have already been taught. I think that just goes to show the level of preaching that happens at Veritas. Shoutout Veritas pastors that have taught me how to preach.
November 7, 2018
Quick read that covers the basic principles every preacher should know.
Draw a conclusion from the text, don’t use the text to prove your predetermined conclusion.
Draw a conclusion from the text, don’t use the text to prove your predetermined conclusion.
April 2, 2021
Good, central approach to expositional preaching.
May 12, 2024
Really enjoyed reading this classic while on vacation. Probably the best single book I’ve read on kindle unlimited. Robinson’s writing on preaching stands the test of time.
June 5, 2026
Un alfabet al predicării - pornind de la verset și până la prezentare, totul într-o manieră care transformă slujirea predicării la nivel de artă!
March 20, 2021
Creatively communicating the word of God fires me up. This book gives a lot of sound advice about how to do that effectively. I don't think it will end up being as formative as Keller's book on preaching has been for me, but I do think it will be a helpful resource for me for years to come.
At first, I was skeptical of the concept of an "exegetical idea" as if each passage only has one main idea to unpack. However, as the book continued, I began to understand his point more and even though I don't know if I fully agree, I definitely find it more helpful than problematic.
At first, I was skeptical of the concept of an "exegetical idea" as if each passage only has one main idea to unpack. However, as the book continued, I began to understand his point more and even though I don't know if I fully agree, I definitely find it more helpful than problematic.
April 27, 2021
Very practical, indeed a manual addressing almost every issue pertaining to preaching. Must read for all students of preaching
September 23, 2025
More in depth than the last book I read on preaching. Very helpful if your looking for more dense understanding
August 30, 2026
3.5/5
Not because it's not thorough in explaining what preaching is and how to do it, but because I've read Keller's, Reeves, Stotts and ML-Js ones on it. So Robinson's isn't too revolutionary. However, the part on speech was helpful and a part I didnt see as thoroughly in the other 5 books.
Not because it's not thorough in explaining what preaching is and how to do it, but because I've read Keller's, Reeves, Stotts and ML-Js ones on it. So Robinson's isn't too revolutionary. However, the part on speech was helpful and a part I didnt see as thoroughly in the other 5 books.
August 28, 2024
Read for school. Thought it’d be outdated and irrelevant but there is some gold in here.
July 8, 2020
Although originally written in 1980, the principles in this book are timeless to the Bible student desiring to improve his ability in communicating God’s Word.
Robinson answers the question “What makes a preacher interesting and sermon effective?”
“Preaching” as we know it has been abandoned in many circles and replaced with “pragmatic” alternatives. Robinson restates the need to once again make the “effective” preaching of God’s Word, front and center, in the worship service.
“Ministers can proclaim anything in a stained-glass voice at 11:30 on Sunday morning following the singing of hymns. Yet when they fail to preach the Scriptures, they abandon their authority.”
Robinson writs a great introduction to the task of both sermon preparation and sermon presentation. I wholeheartedly recommend this book as a worthwhile and necessary read.
Robinson answers the question “What makes a preacher interesting and sermon effective?”
“Preaching” as we know it has been abandoned in many circles and replaced with “pragmatic” alternatives. Robinson restates the need to once again make the “effective” preaching of God’s Word, front and center, in the worship service.
“Ministers can proclaim anything in a stained-glass voice at 11:30 on Sunday morning following the singing of hymns. Yet when they fail to preach the Scriptures, they abandon their authority.”
Robinson writs a great introduction to the task of both sermon preparation and sermon presentation. I wholeheartedly recommend this book as a worthwhile and necessary read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews