Practical Application in Christ Centered Preaching

Date of Award

5-1-2009

Document Type

Major Applied Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Exegetical Theology

First Advisor

David Larsen

Abstract

"Preach the Word," Paul exhorted young Timothy (2 Tim 4:2), in order that he might build up and expand the church in Ephesus that was under Timothy's care. Heralding God's Word is a pastor's high priority when it is remembered that the Scriptures are "breathed out by God" (2 Tim 3:16). God uses the preaching of His Word as a primary means to convert unbelievers as well as to purify, strengthen, and mobilize, His Church for His purposes. To be effective in this pastoral calling, a preacher of God's Word must handle well both the text of Scripture (2 Tim 2: 15) and the people to whom he speaks (2 Tim 4:2).

This project demonstrates that in handling well the people under his care, a preacher must not only explain the meaning of a text, but also apply and exhort fitting responses to the revelation of God found there. The application of a message is indeed key to what differentiates a sermon from a lecture. At the same time, this project summarizes the case for seeing that the backdrop of every passage of scripture in its broader context is the unfolding meta-narrative of God's redemptive plan that leads ultimately to His work in Christ. It is through this Christ centered meta-narrative that God's glory is clearly seen.

This project bring these two values of a Christ centered hermeneutic and the primacy of practical application together. After first summarizing the case for the meta-narrative of the Scriptures, this project trances how that revelation leads to fitting application for the hearer. This anchors the necessary application exhorted in any sermon in the highest revelation of the text, therefore bringing a message to Christ centeredness in focus and practical application in purpose.

Comments

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