New Testament Exposition: From Text to Sermon

by Walter L. Liefeld

Expository preaching is an elusive ideal. Many preachers aspire to it, few are acknowledged masters. For most a gap exists between the sermon that addresses the needs of the hearers and one that methodically plumbs the depths of Scripture. New Testament Exposition is written to bridge this gap and bring together the disciplines of preaching and exegesis. In this book Liefeld addresses the three main concerns of expository preaching: What is the text saying? How can its message be communicated in ways that are appropriate to the passage, the seeing, and the goals of the sermon? How can the message meet the real needs of the congregation in a way that is consistent with the purpose and function of the text? This book demonstrates how these concerns can be brought together in a sermon, and it is this thoughtful, practical approach that makes the book so valuable to preachers and seminarians. The book is divided into three parts. Part I explores the characteristics of expository preaching. Part II deals with preparing the text and addresses such areas as practical exegesis, exegetical outlines, narratives and compositional patterns, semantic patterns, and underlying assumptions of the text. Part III discusses application of the text by asking, What is the function of the text? What are the needs of the congregation? How can one preach to inner heart needs as well as to the external circumstances facing the congregation? New Testament Exposition is not vague theory, nor is it esoteric study beyond the grasp and time of the busy pastor. Throughout the book Dr. Liefeld reflects his experience in the classroom and pulpit, and his concerns as scholar and pastor are clearly seen in thefinal chapters of this volume. Chapter 9 examines preaching from difficult texts: How might one handle parables, miracle stories, obscure passages, culturally related texts? The final chapter provides a demonstration of all that is discussed throughout the book by walking the road through the actual preparation for a sermon.

Author Biography: Walter L. Liefeld (Ph.D., Columbia and Union Universities) is distinguished professor emeritus of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is the author of The Expositor's bible Commentary on Luke, Interpreting the Book of Acts, New Testament Exposition, and the IVP New Testament Commentary on Ephesians.

180 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

For several years I had the privilege of working with a team that led training workshops for staff in our organization on the practice of expository preaching--that is giving a message that exposes or explains the meaning of a biblical text such that those who listen can understand and apply what they've heard to their lives. Several of our team members were Trinity Evangelical Divinity School graduates and reading this book, I understand now where much of the framework we used came from.

This is not a new work, first published in 1984. But it is a helpful guide to the step by step process of preparing biblical expositions. Like any good professor, Liefeld begins by defining what we mean by exposition and gives helpful clarifying examples of what is and is not exposition and what characterizes good expository preaching.

Part II focuses on preparing the text, the work of exegesis, noticing compositional and narrative factors, attending to semantic patterns and even matters of emotional tone in the text.

Part III, titled "Applying the text" focuses on preparing a message based on good exegetical work. Some of his most helpful comments for me were found in chapter 7 on determining the application and the essential and challenging work of discerning the main applicative thrust of the passage in its original setting and then considering the situation of those one is speaking to and addressing the hearts and minds of those who listen. He also provides good instruction on structuring sermons and shows various ways a sermon from the same text can be structured that are faithful to the text. He also addresses how to handle difficult New Testament texts and concludes with a sample of how he would prepare a message based on the text of Romans 6:1-14.

What I missed (and perhaps was assumed) was much discussion of the spirituality of preaching, of what is involved in listening to the text so that one hears and is personally addressed by the word of God. What I also missed was any thoughtful discussion on the role of engaging the imagination in preaching. This all seemed very "workman-like". It is true that the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages Timothy with the words, "do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (ESV). Anyone who cares deeply about living up to this exhortation will find Liefeld's book an indispensible aid. My only encouragement would be to complement these books with ones like John Stott's Between Two Worlds or D Martyn Lloyd-Jones Preaching and Preachers. Both of these writers were gifted expository preachers and their books fill out the elements of preaching not found in this slim volume.

[Randy Corn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book is “from text to sermon.” I recall Garnett saying that Liefeld had done for the NT what Kaiser had done for the OT. I would have to agree. That is part of the reason why I read this book on the heels of Kaiser. I would have to say that Kaiser has more really funny observations, but Liefeld does have some. I suppose the difference that I picked up on more than any other is that Kaiser seems like a seminary professor while Liefeld comes across like a seasoned pastor.

The contention of this work is that while many a seminary graduate knows how to exegete passage, they don’t really know how to turn that into a sermon which is relevant to the congregation and faithful to the text. It is clear that the author favors expository preaching, but he is not a snob about it.

[Jeremy Tetreau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liefeld exhibits mastery of his subject material and his individual treatment of key texts is illuminating. It's a technical volume -- and therefore appropriately dry. It will be a helpful reference book to revisit on occasion.

[David Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful & practical book for preachers, with focus on the expository method of preaching

[Bro · Rating 3 out of 5]

a must read for expositors