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Anointed Expository Preaching

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It seems that many preachers enter their weekly duties withacademic credentials and a certificate of ordination, but littleknowledge of "how" to preach the Word. It is one thing to hear the charge of Scripture to "Preach the Word!" (2 T. 4:2)yet quite another to implement it in practice.

"Anointed Expository Preaching" points out that if we would be followers of Jesus, the Prince of preachers, then we must understand 1) the walk we are to pursue as men of God, 2) the work we are to perform in both preparation and sermon delivery, and 3) the breadth of the Word we are proclaiming. "Anointed Expository Preaching" offers every preacher a primer for his God-appointed task.

The four appendices alone at the close of the book are worth the price of the book as the critical subjects of worship, music, evangelism and the message of Romans as a model for the preacher are addressed.

"Whether a young man is just starting out in 'the work of ministry' or is seasoned with experience, he will find "Anointed Expository Preaching" a useful tool for both life and pulpit." -- Dr. Phil Newton South Woods Baptist Church Memphis TN

Renowned expository preacher Dr. Stephen Olford, and his son, Dr. David Olford, have collaborated on a book made up of lectures and lessons from the "Stephen Olford Center for Biblical Preaching." Its purpose is "to equip and encourage pastors and lay leaders in expository preaching and exemplary living, to the end that the church will be revived and the world will be reached with the saving Word of Christ." Throughout the book the authors are clearly committed to biblical revelation, biblical exposition, and biblical proclamation.

"Anointed Expository Preaching" is divided into three sections. First, "The Walk to Pursue" concerns the preacher's life, emphasizing that God is more concerned with what we are than what we do. He investigates the preacher's relationship to God's Word, his need for the spirit-filled life, and the requirements of being a man of God. He also investigates the preacher's work in the context of the pastoral ministry. Second, "The Work to Perform" examines the method of preaching. Here you learn the "how to's" of expository preaching. I found this the most helpful and the strongest segment of the book. Clear instruction is given on the methodology of preparing an expository message from beginning to end. Third, "The Word to Proclaim" looks at the message that is to be proclaimed. Emphasis is placed on the preacher's need for God's anointing to carry out his calling. You will also learn how to apply the sermon to your audience, how to effectively present an invitation, and methods of conserving the evangelistic harvest.

The greatest value of the book is as an encyclopedia of information detailing the process of expository sermon composition and delivery. The authors' passion for the subject is clearly sensed and the organization of the text makes it a quality resource manual. Portions of the book read much like a sermon. Perusal of this work provides a lesson on effective alliteration. It does have somewhat of an "old time" feel to it, as if you are reading something written in another generation. The 396-page book includes an appendix and extensive endnotes. "Anointed Expository Preaching" is a valuable resource for anyone desiring to improve his understanding of expository preaching and skill as an expository preacher.

This is a great book for anybody who has been called to the pulpit ministry! This book by Olford takes you to the Bible to learn how to preach. This great work has taught me the importance of not only the messages the preacher preaches, but also the life the preacher lives. This book teaches the reader about both!

Summary of Purpose

Anointed Expository Preaching grew out of Olford's many years of advocating expository preaching through the Stephen Olford Center for Biblical Preaching. The book's purpose parallels that of the Olford Center, that is, "to equip and encourage pastors and lay leaders in expository preaching and exemplary living..." (1). Much of the book comprises lectures and lessons from Stephen Olford's work at the Olford Center.

The book is divided into three sections. First, "The Walk to Pursue" deals with the preacher's life, emphasizing that how a preacher lives effects how he preaches. He investigated the preacher's relationship to God's Word, his need for the spirit-filled life, and the requirements of being a man of God. He also investigates the preacher's work in the context of the pastoral ministry. Second, "The Work to Perform" examines the method of preaching. It is here that Olford presented the mechanics of preparing an expository message. Olford gave detailed instruction on the methodology of preparing an expository message from beginning to end. Third, "The Word to Proclaim" is a broad-brush look at the act of expository preaching. He placed emphasis on the preacher's need for God's anointing to carry out his calling. Olford underscored how to apply the sermon to the audience, how to effectively present an invitation, and methods of conserving the evangelistic harvest.

Analysis of Strengths

The strength of Anointed Expository Preaching resides in the second major division. "The Work to Perform" can stand independently as its own book. Olford deftly navigated the task of conceiving, constructing, and preaching an expository message. Olford was not shy about proclaiming expository preaching as the only biblical and apostolic sermonic form. To Olford, only expository preaching truly captures and communicates biblical truths. He did admit that there may be times that call for a topical sermon, but they are rare. Expository preaching feeds the soul of the church.

Olford readily acknowledged that expository preaching is hard work. He conceded that many preachers do expository preaching poorly. These preachers are not inept; they are simply untrained or ill trained. To Olford's credit, he recognized that much of so-called expository preaching is nothing more than an exegetical lecture. Bible study for its own sake has a place in the life of the church, but the sermon time must deliver a message from God. Exegesis can help the preacher determine what God said within the context of the scriptural text, but without a homiletic application, there is no message for the contemporary audience.

One of Spurgeon's students once asked how many points should a sermon have. Spurgeon's classic reply was, "At least one." Olford, like many other homileticians, advocated the "big idea" approach to sermon development. The big idea, or dominant theme, serves as the basis for the sermon's central thesis. The author urged readers to define the literary and theological boundaries of a passage and from there extract the main thesis. All the major points of the message must support and under gird that one dominant theme.

Olford did for his readers what many other books on expository preaching do not. Olford provided detailed examples of how to determine and develop the dominant theme of a passage. He gave his readers a wonderful overview of the exegetical process. He helped readers organize a passage's themes and sub-themes. He cautioned preachers to consider the broader context, purpose, and theological structure of the book in which the passage is found. He agreed with Fee and Steward that a passage can never mean what it never could have meant.

Olford's work goes beyond the basics of exegesis, hermeneutics, and homiletics. As the title implies, Olford advocated for "anointed" expository preaching. Preaching is a spiritual activity. Olford emphasized the essential nature of the Holy Spirit's work in the preaching event. For example, one transitional statement read: "We move from the preparation of an expository sermon to the dynamics of incarnational preaching. Only the Holy Spirit can transform a manuscript into a message" (214). Just as Jesus needed the Spirit's anointing for his ministry as the Word Incarnate, preachers need the Holy Spirit in order to preach with power, authority, and effectiveness. Preachers do not deliver sermons, they deliver messages-God's message to God's people through God's herald enabled by God's Spirit to glorify God's Son.

Analysis of Weaknesses

There is a reason Anointed Expository Preaching is out of print whereas others books on the same subject have stood the test of time. First, Olford's writing style is old fashioned. The book reads as if it was written toward the turn of the twentieth century, not the twenty-first century.

Second, Olford's penchant for alliteration is oppressive. He is a robust advocate for alliteration in preaching. The structure and outlines of each chapter reflect his love for the literary devise. Olford insisted that alliteration is helpful to both the listener and the preacher. Alliteration, he contended, helps listeners remember the point of the message. He lamented that alliteration had fallen out of favor with some preaching professors. However, this reader was unconvinced of alliteration's value beyond the cleverness needed to use it. At times, Olford's alliterations in the book were strained, forced, and even inappropriate. On average, people retain only five percent of what they hear. This reviewer believes that five percent should focus on application-the "so what" of preaching. (If preachers were honest about it, many do not remember their own alliterated points from one week to another. Why should we expect listener to remember them or benefit by them.)

Implications for Twenty-first Century Preaching

Stephen and David Olford do not address the problem of postmodernism directly, but they acknowledge that listeners who do not have a high view of biblical authority populate many congregations. Preachers should not be deterred from expository preaching. God's word is authoritative even if people do not consider it so. The preacher must believe that God empowers the preacher and the preaching event to accomplish his Kingdom's purposes. Properly done, expository preaching delivers not only God's message, but also draws listeners into an encounter with God through the preached word. God has spoken through his word, and he continues to speak through his word. The preacher serves as the conduit for a divine-human encounter.

While the strength of the book rests with the author's discussion on the mechanics of sermon preparation, the overarching implication for successful preaching is the preacher himself. Olford recognized this in the first section. The preacher stands in the pulpit as God's ambassador and herald. As such, the preacher has a duty to exemplify Christian living. The preacher's authority for preaching the word arises from his or her ability to live the word. If listeners do not see the effects of applying biblical truths in the life of the preacher, they will be disinclined to live according to the biblical mandate.

While the first division is misplaced in a book on expository preaching, the lessons are essential for those who do preach. Postmodern congregants desire authenticity. They seek relevancy. Olford calls the preacher to live as Christ's exemplar. Additionally, Olford's call for prophetic boldness clearly cuts against the grain of those who think that preachers ought to present a profile of a fellow struggler. Preachers may struggles with applying biblical truths, but when one stands in the pulpit, he must declare a clear and compelling message. From the first steps behind the pulpit to the last Amen, the preacher must audaciously proclaim, "Thus saith the Lord."

This book is extremely well written and very easy to understand and apply. Stephen and David Olford obviously have studied and practiced the art of preaching thoroughly and they share their expertise here. May God bless them for sharing and you as you read.

Ideal for Pastor's Library as refreshing reading material and essential tool for preaching fresher as well as veteran.
Stephen O Akinkuolie.

Let me put a plug in from a layman's point of view: Great book!

Ok, now why would a layman even be interested in this book? Simple, with all the experiental preaching going on these days my search for: "what makes a good preacher?" and "how do you know what good preaching is?" has led me to this book.

I have known about expository preaching (and have been priveledged to have listened to preachers who actually preach consistantly from the Word) of course, but wanted to learn more. The Olford's book does a fabulous job. First and foremost they define the role of a preacher (the Call of God, The Word, living the life of a Godly man; being a man of God, and doing the work of God). Secondly they go into the preparation of the sermon (I have listened to many preachers that sound as if they prepared their sermon the night before, and I have had some even confess to me that that was precisely what they had done!). Lastly they explain delivery of the sermon (proclamation of the Word AND Salvation).

This book describes that preaching the Word should be an exciting experience (in the preparation, delivery and expectation of change in individuals by the Lord)! I especially like the author's emphasis on fearless preaching (i.e. speaking on how today's happenings compare to the Word). Definitely no P.C. preaching here!

It now holds a prominent spot on my bookshelf! Definitely worth the purchase price.