Expository Preaching

Blessings of the Faith

by David Strain

Did you know that the preaching of the Word of God has unique sin-killing, life-giving power—and brings great blessing to those who hear and receive it? In this helpful primer for congregations, Pastor David Strain establishes the basic biblical and theological foundations of preaching, highlights historical examples, and responds to questions, fears, and objections about expositional preaching in a Reformed church.

Written for the church, the Blessings of the Faith series introduces and celebrates Reformed doctrine and practice—each book features a brief and practical overview of its topic with discussion questions and an extensive Q&A section.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2021

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearing the Word of God preached in the assembly of the saints on the Lord's Day is more important for your spiritual health than you private devotional time. I remember being taken aback when I first heard someone say that, but it's true.

"Preaching is cruciform and heraldic."
"Boring preaching is sinful."

A great little book lovingly written for his flock by a pastor who practices "logic on fire" in the pulpit every Sunday.

[Abram Danielson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first of the Blessings of the Faith series. It started out a little slow, but by the end I was encouraged and excited about expository preaching. Dr. Strain successfully spurred me on to the pursuit of better preaching, not only in my listening but, hopefully, in my own sermons down the line. Good work.

[Sarah Kroese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bible study book! I enjoyed it. I agree that expository preaching is the best way to learn from the whole bible. However, the writer annoyed me. He seemed slightly self righteous and defensive. I agree with you, but be chill dude.

[Jacob Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent little book about the nature and importance of expository preaching. I think that this book would be helpful for any church member, but I would almost suggest it first to anyone who wants to be a preacher. It bolsters trust in the word of God generally and the preached word of God specifically. He also made his case for expositional preaching from the Bible, which might sound like an obvious move, but I’m grateful for books that show me the biblical rational and not just good vibes. I was a little skeptical at first about this being a book for every church member when the first chapter quoted Latin, but the rest of the book convinced me. Very encouraging and would highly recommend.

[Sean Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title is somewhat misleading, as you might think this is a book for preachers. It is not. It is a book for the person in the pew, an excellent book which will help them understand and listen to sermons better.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical, concise, helpful guide for Christians to best benefit from the preaching of their pastor. This books equips Christians to hear the Word preached and center their Sundays around the proclamation of God’s Word.


Great quote:
“If we have won people through extraordinary events and spectacular shows, by strategies of our own invention and clever techniques we have devised, coming to church and sitting under the steady and straightforward exposition of the Bible every week will likely seem to many rather anticlimactic.”

So win people by God’s ordinary means of grace, the preaching of the Gospel, not by your own ideas.

[Colby Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great explanation of the theology of preaching. It is short, concise, and clear. The argument of the book rests on the idea that the preaching of God’s Word IS the word of God itself (1 Thess 2:13 and Rm. 10). Therefore we must rightly prepare our hearts to hear the word of God. His chapter on how to listen to sermons was particularly helpful and challenging. I would highly recommend this book for a new Christian or a church library.

[J.T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's rare to get two stars from me. But while the content was good and more of an introduction to expository preaching, the writing was bland and I barely finished it. It needed more plea and less explanation. Not sure I can quite put my finger on it, but there are so many better books trying to do what this book attempted.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, there is nothing wrong with this book. It is good. It is solid on all aspects of expository preaching. It gives the foundations for expository preaching and argues why this form of preaching is most effective. I like it. 3 stars like it.

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply excellent little book on the what, why, and how (to listen) or expository preaching. The Q & A chapter is immeasurably valuable for preachers and elders, as Pastor Strain gives clear and thoughtful answers to many common questions.

[Nathan Douthit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful little book. Makes clear the importance of this practice.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on the importance of preaching.

[Collin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read a short book to encourage me about the necessity of expository preaching. This did just that.

[Peyton Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Great introductory book on the benefit of expository preaching and the centrality of preaching itself in the life of the church. Shoutout to David Strain for being a 601 homie 🫡

[Ben Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward, nothing new here but of course theologically grounded overview of the topic.

[Andrew Canavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! I can see this being useful for a new members class or for putting in the hands of people who have questions about expository preaching.

[Coleson White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical, engaging, and effective

[Zac Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful introduction to expository preaching and the Reformed view of the ministry of the word.

[Amy Kate Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good, quick, and thorough read on the importance, beauty, and biblical purpose of expositional preaching!

[Lisa Snead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to read more books in this series!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our digital, fast-paced information age, why should we center our Christian lives on the weekly reading and exposition of the Bible? In Expository Preaching, David Strain shows the basic biblical and theological foundations of preaching.

Sola Scriptura
Beginning with the claim that the Bible is the Word of God, Strain furthers that it must be also be inerrant, authoritative, sufficient, clear. Moreover, it is Christ-centered -- as Jesus is the only way of salvation for sinners. In the Old Testament, preaching and teaching were central to the health of Israel. The dawn of the New Covenant era was heralded by a great renewal of preaching in the New Testament. When it comes to the Reformation, the championing of Sola Scriptura means that the Word of God must rule in the life and teaching of the church.

In Chapter 2, Why Exposition Preaching?, Strain shares 11 reasons why pastors should pursue expositional preaching: (1) Expositional preaching honors God by respecting how he has revealed himself to us, (2) it highlights the coherence and unity of the Bible, (3) it best promotes the work of Christian formation, (4) it shows that the power is in the Word, (5) it submits to the authority of the Word, (6) it offers respite from the concerns and burdens of the world, (7) it models how to read the Bible, (8) it guards against hobby horses, (9) it bonds pastor and flock over time, (10) it follows the best examples of Christian history, and (11) it meets our need to know Christ.

Preaching is Worship
I was most interested in seeing Strain describe expository preaching as spiritual “slow food.” I also appreciated the short section on Chrysostom, Calvin, and Lloyd-Jones -- historical heroes that modeled expository preaching. I loved the bluntness and boldness in the following statement from Chapter 4 regarding preaching and the church: "In Reformed churches, preaching is both the center and the high point of worship." I learned that preaching is God’s primary instrument of evangelism as well as the principle means of discipleship. I saw that preaching is worship, and it is intimately connected to evangelism and discipleship.

The book gets practical in Chapter 4 in showing how the pastor and congregation can get the most out of expositional preaching. We should prepare to hear the word, become active listeners, and begin to bear fruit. In the Q&A section, Strain is quick and eager to say that there is a place for topical sermons. I was challenged to see that topical sermons still have the ability to be expository.

How are They to Hear?
As I am writing this review, I am planning to begin preaching monthly in our youth service at church. I feel the weight of the ministry of the Word. But I also see the privilege that comes with preaching. This book has helped me to feel better prepared. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

I received a media copy of Expository Preaching and this is my honest review.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very straightforward book on "Why expository preaching?" that would be helpful for both preachers and congregants to appreciate the need for faithful Gospel preaching.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful defence for expository preaching, with many insightful and Biblical arguments for this form over topical (whilst seeing the usefulness of the odd topical sermon). Though firm in his argument, Strain also provides balance and care when providing wisdom for those in Biblical churches that don’t provide expository preaching. Some may see his points as glaringly obvious, but not coming from a Reformed or Presbyterian background myself, I found many of his points new and refreshing.

[Todd Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Blessings of the Faith series. These short books are good resources to give away. This section on how to prepare for and listen to sermons was excellent. Nothing strange in the questions and answers section.