As one who is throughly convinced that biblical exposition is the best method of preaching, I do not have to be convinced of the value of simply taking a text of Scripture and explaining what it says. The power in preaching is not in my words but in God's Word. But, that still leaves another issue unsettled. Is it enough to just say what God has said and sit down? Is application something we should just leave to the individual and the Holy Spirit? Or, was Haddon Robinson right when he said, "Explanation without application is abortion"?
In order to answer that question to my own satisfaction I asked myself two more questions. The first was, "What is the ultimate goal of preaching?" If simply imparting biblical truth is the ultimate goal in preaching then perhaps we need not focus so much on application. Now, imparting biblical truth is most definitely a goal in preaching, apart from biblical truth we as preachers have nothing to say. However, the question is, is that the ultimate goal in preaching. Are we teaching the Bible just so people can be biblically literate? Romans 8:29 says that the divine destiny of all believers is to be conformed to the image of the Son of God. Somehow preaching must help believers move in that direction. Conforming to the image of Christ is not just about knowing. It's about doing. James spoke of the dangers of hearing the Word but not doing the Word. I am convinced the biblical goal of preaching is changed lives to the glory of God. That requires biblical truth. But, it also requires application of biblical truth. It doesn't matter how much biblical knowledge you have, you are not glorifying God unless you live out that truth.
I also asked myself another question. "What would the examples of preachers in the Bible reveal?" Jesus preaching was theologically rich and deep, but it was also intensely practical. How about Paul? The first half of many of his letters focus on teaching doctrine and theology. This is true, but the second half of most of his letters focuses on the application of that theology. His letters are not just doctrinal. They are also very practical. The same is true of Peter and his preaching of the gospel at Pentencost. He finished his message with a call to action. "Repent and be baptized." The prophets of the Old Testament also called the people of God to action saying essentially, "In light of what God has said your are to do this." It seems pretty clear, at least to me, that the preaching of those in the Bible included both explanation of truth and application of truth.
There are those who might say, "You are not leaving room for the Holy Spirit to apply the Scripture in a person's individual life in His own way." That's ridiculous. There are certain ways we know the Scripture should be applied. Certain applications are obvious. We should point those out. That does not mean the Holy Spirit cannot speak to a person in a more specific way. If I know a text of Scripture calls for a specific action on the part of hearers, I am negligent if I fail to point that out.
People tend toward extremes. Many preachers are either deeply theological but not very practical or intensely practical but shallow theologically. My conviction is that preachers should strive to be both deeply theological and intensely practical at the same time. I want my people to know the Scripture inside and out. But, my goal is not to produce armchair theologians. My goal is to produce disciples who walk, talk and think like Jesus. Being both deeply theological and intensely practical may not be easy. But, who ever said preaching was supposed to be easy?
