Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages
Book Summary • Haddon W. Robinson, Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages, 3rd edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014), Kindle, 355 pp. $17.
Read time: 8 min
Introduction: The Recovery of Expository Preaching
The Need for Expository Preaching
In Biblical Preaching, Haddon W. Robinson calls for the revitalization of preaching by recovering a biblical, Spirit-empowered, and text-governed model. Writing amid a cultural climate that no longer prizes the sermon as a meaningful act, Robinson contends that preaching retains a unique place in God’s redemptive work. The loss of confidence in preaching today is partly due to the saturation of modern culture with trivial media, leaving many skeptical of the theological authority of sermons. However, Robinson asserts that effective preaching occurs when a preacher, personally transformed by Scripture, speaks God’s Word with clarity and conviction into the lives of others. As he warns, “The audience does not hear a sermon; it hears a person” (21).
Expository Preaching as God’s Means of Confrontation
Robinson’s central conviction is that expository preaching is the means by which God confronts His people with His Word through a faithful herald. For Robinson, the task of preaching is not just technical but deeply theological. It is through expository preaching that God’s voice is heard, transforming individuals through Scripture’s application to the preacher and subsequently to the congregation.
What Is Expository Preaching?
At the heart of Robinson’s thesis is a robustly theologically definition:
“Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher, applies to the hearers” (16).
This definition grounds preaching in both divine initiative and human responsibility. It is not merely the delivery of information but the communication of a biblical concept that has been applied to the preacher and is then passed on to the hearers.
Preaching as a Vessel for Divine Truth
The preacher is more than just a conveyor of information; he must be shaped by the Word he proclaims. Robinson emphasizes that the authority of preaching is derived not from the preacher’s rhetorical skill or emotional delivery, but from the Word of God, rightly interpreted and passionately delivered. Thus, the task of preaching is both intellectual and spiritual, requiring the preacher to be a student of the text, a servant of the Spirit, and a shepherd to the congregation.
The Centrality of the Big Idea
A key element of Robinson’s method is the development of a singular, coherent message—the “big idea.” He criticizes sermons that lack conceptual unity: “Sermons seldom fail because they have too many ideas; more often they fail because they deal with too many unrelated ideas” (32). Preaching is an art of clarity, and the big idea serves as the central thread running through the sermon.
Structuring the Sermon Around a Unified Message
The big idea is composed of two parts: a subject (what the sermon is about) and a complement (what the preacher is saying about the subject). This conceptual focus sets expository preaching apart from fragmented moral advice or devotional commentary. No matter the genre of the passage—whether narrative, epistle, or poetry, etc.—the preacher must discover and communicate the central theological message intended by the biblical author.
The Path from Text to Sermon
A Sequential Process
Robinson outlines a sequential process from Scripture to sermon that includes rigorous study, spiritual formation, and rhetorical clarity. The first stages involve selecting a text based on its literary coherence, rather than arbitrary verse divisions, and conducting contextual exegesis using a range of scholarly tools such as lexicons, grammars, and commentaries (56–70). These tools help determine the genre, theological purpose, and linguistic nuances of the passage.
Stage 1 – Select the Passage: Choose a passage that constitutes a complete literary and thought unit. The text should be small enough to manage but large enough to reflect a coherent biblical idea. Topical sermons are acceptable but must still be rooted in contextual exegesis (p. 50).
Stage 2 – Study the Passage: Engage in a detailed study of the text using historical, grammatical, and literary tools. Begin with context, and make use of language resources such as lexicons, concordances, grammars, and commentaries to grasp the passage’s original meaning (p. 56).
Stage 3 – Discover the Exegetical Idea: As you examine the passage, determine the biblical writer’s subject and complement—that is, the main idea he conveys. This yields the "exegetical idea," the foundational theological truth of the text (p. 64).
Stage 4 – Ask the Developmental Questions: Refine the exegetical idea by asking three key developmental questions: What does this mean? (explanation); Is it true? (validation); What difference does it make? (application). These questions clarify meaning, establish credibility, and ensure relevance (pp. 77–100).
Stage 5 – Formulate the Homiletical Idea: Translate the exegetical idea into a clear, memorable, and oral-ready statement of truth tailored to your audience. This becomes your "homiletical idea," the sermon’s central thesis (p. 106).
Stage 6 – Determine the Sermon’s Purpose: Define what you want to happen in your hearers as a result of the sermon—what they should know, feel, or do. The purpose is distinct from the idea; it targets behavioral or spiritual change (p. 118).
Stage 7 – Decide How to Accomplish the Purpose: Choose a sermon structure—deductive, inductive, or semi-inductive—that best communicates the idea and achieves the purpose. The structure must suit both the text and your listeners (p. 120).
Stage 8 – Outline the Sermon: With the structure selected, outline your points to progressively develop the idea. The outline should clearly support the homiletical idea and guide the hearer through the sermon (p. 138).
Stage 9 – Fill in the Outline with Supporting Material: Add content that explains, proves, applies, or illustrates your points—definitions, statistics, stories, analogies, and quotations. These elements make abstract ideas vivid and concrete (p. 147).
Stage 10 – Prepare the Introduction and Conclusion: Craft an introduction that captures attention, introduces the subject, and creates need. Write a conclusion that urges response and provides closure. Both bookend the sermon and carry disproportionate weight in effectiveness (p. 178).
Refining the Exegetical Idea into a Homiletical Idea
Once the exegetical idea is clear, it must be refined into a homiletical idea suitable for oral proclamation. The preacher must carefully consider the sermon’s structure, its intended purpose, and the response he wishes to elicit from the congregation. Robinson emphasizes that the idea is like an arrow, while the purpose is the target. Effective preaching, therefore, is not only faithful in content but intentional in its outcome (110).
The Three Developmental Questions
Explanation, Validation, and Application
To ensure that a sermon is faithful, compelling, and transformative, Robinson proposes that every sermon must answer three essential questions: “What does this mean?” “Is it true?” and “What difference does it make?” (78–100). These correspond to explanation, validation, and application. Explanation involves clarifying the biblical idea and its logical structure. Validation defends the truth of that idea using Scripture, theology, or experience. Application connects the biblical message to the lives of the hearers, addressing their spiritual and practical needs.
Connecting Imperatives to the Gospel
Robinson warns against moralistic or pragmatic application divorced from the gospel. He states, “[Textual] imperatives are always connected to the [gospel] indicative. The effect should be traced to its cause” (104). In other words, behavioral change must flow from the gospel’s theological truths, not from mere ethical exhortations. Preaching must bring the hearer into a deeper understanding of God’s Word, which then leads to spiritual transformation.
Sermon Structure and Style
Structuring the Sermon for Impact
Robinson devotes several chapters to shaping the sermon for effective oral delivery. He explores three primary structures: deductive (where the main idea is stated first), inductive (where the idea is developed and revealed later), and semi-inductive (a blend of both) (120–129). The preacher must choose the structure that best suits the nature of the text, the purpose of the sermon, and the needs of the congregation.
The Importance of Clear and Vivid Language
Robinson emphasizes the need for clear and vivid language in preaching. Sermons should use strong nouns and verbs, avoiding vague or overly complex language. Illustrations, metaphors, and concrete details should bring theological truths to life, making them accessible and memorable for listeners (199–214). The style should serve the truth, not distract from it.
The Role of the Preacher
Robinson is deeply concerned with the spiritual life of the preacher. He argues that preachers must be shaped by the Word they proclaim, as preaching is “truth poured through personality” (27). A preacher who does not allow Scripture to shape his own life becomes a hollow messenger. Preachers must listen to God’s Word before they speak it to others.
Integrity and Authenticity in Preaching
Robinson insists that integrity and authenticity are vital for effective preaching. Application must begin with the preacher’s own life. Transformation in the preacher precedes proclamation to the congregation. The goal of preaching is not performance but spiritual confrontation—leading people to encounter God through His Word.
Delivery and the Living Word
The Role of Movement and Gesture
In the final chapter, Robinson addresses the delivery of sermons. He emphasizes that the preacher’s voice, eyes, and body must communicate the truth with conviction and urgency (217–237). Thoughtful pauses, varied tone, and natural gestures help listeners not only hear but feel the message. Delivery is not theatricality but incarnational communication, where the preacher embodies the truth he proclaims.
Rehearsal and Feedback
Robinson stresses the importance of rehearsal and feedback in sermon delivery. A preacher must not only prepare the content of his sermon but also practice delivering it with naturalness and confidence. Listening to recordings or receiving feedback from others helps the preacher refine his delivery, ensuring that the message is both clear and impactful.
Conclusion
Biblical Preaching is an earnest call for preachers to return to theologically rich, spiritually vibrant, pastorally grounded preaching. Robinson challenges preachers to submit to the authority of the Word, think clearly, communicate faithfully, and allow the Spirit to work in their lives and the lives of their hearers. His model of preaching is not merely technical but doxological—it is an act of worship and divine proclamation. When practiced faithfully, expository preaching becomes not only a sermon heard but an encounter with God through His saving Word. ❖
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Footnote: Timothy J. Harris, “Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages,” Practical Theologian, March 29, 2025, https://www.practicaltheologian.com/blog/bookreview-dpmpd.
Bibliography: Harris, Timothy J. “Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages.” Practical Theologian, March 29, 2025. https://www.practicaltheologian.com/blog/bookreview-dpmpd.
