A Moment With Pastor Fred

A pastor read his Christmas text, Rev 11:10, Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents. Sounds promising until we finish the verse, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.  This verse has nothing to do with Christmas – speaks of God’s enemies celebrating the death of his prophets. And have yourself a very Merry Christmas indeed!

 Throughout my 30+ years of pastoral ministry I have devoted myself to what is called systematic expository preaching. I take a book in the Bible and work my way thru it verse by verse.  Today we begin Colossians.

The word ‘expository’ comes from the Latin meaning ‘to open or to unfold.’ Expository preaching opens the meaning of Scripture.  The opposite of exposition is imposition where a pastor imposes his own opinion into the text. Exposition restricts the preacher to what God said. J.I. Packer said, “Preaching is letting the text talk.”  I love expository preaching.  One of my greatest joys is to feed God’s flock. I relish the study. I enjoy the delivery.  I also love sitting under expository preaching myself.

Nehemiah led God’s people back to Jerusalem after nearly a century of exile. In chapter 8 he was responsible for a massive worship service. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading, 8:8.  When the Word of God is clearly proclaimed, the voice of God is clearly heard.  Did you come to church this morning expecting to hear from the living God?