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Biblical Exposition and Extrabiblical Examples in Preaching

Biblical exposition in preaching involves the careful explanation and application of Scripture, a practice central to Christian ministry. Preachers are exhorted to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction" [10]. This emphasis on the word of God means that the primary content of a sermon should derive directly from biblical texts.

The New Testament provides examples of such exposition. Jesus himself, after his resurrection, "beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" [17]. This suggests a method where the entirety of Scripture is brought to bear on understanding Christ. Similarly, the Apostle Paul's ministry involved "preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance" [12]. Adam Clarke notes that Paul's preaching was not characterized by "excellency of speech" or "arts of rhetoric," but by the supreme excellence of the message concerning Christ and salvation [13]. John Gill emphasizes that proper preaching requires a "mission," which includes qualifications for the ministerial work [15].

While biblical exposition forms the core, the use of extrabiblical examples can serve to illustrate and apply biblical truths. The Bible itself frequently uses examples to convey moral and theological lessons. For instance, Christ is presented as an example in various aspects: in suffering (1 Pet. 2:21), in prayer (John 13:15, Luke 22:32), in liberality (2 Cor. 8:9), in sincerity (1 Pet. 2:22), and in communion with God (Luke 19:41-42) [1, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Pastors are also called to be examples to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3) [1]. The Old Testament figures, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, and David, are cited as examples of early rising for devotion and duty [2]. The Jews are presented as a warning (Heb. 4:11), and the prophets as examples of suffering affliction (James 5:10) [1].

These biblical precedents for using examples suggest that extrabiblical illustrations, when carefully chosen, can enhance the clarity and impact of a sermon. However, the primary focus remains on the biblical text. The "Treasury of Scripture Knowledge" and "Torrey's Topical Textbook" demonstrate how biblical concepts are cross-referenced and exemplified within Scripture itself, connecting themes like God's holiness (Revelation 15:4) [7], the establishment of God's kingdom (Revelation 11:15) [8], the nature of redemption (Ephesians 1:7) [9], and the control of the tongue (James 3:5) [11] to numerous other passages.

The balance between biblical exposition and extrabiblical examples is crucial. The goal of preaching is not merely to entertain or inform with anecdotes, but to communicate God's truth from God's word. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown highlight that even when addressing external worship, the emphasis is on the "homage of the heart, and faith, penitence, and love" [16]. The "demonstration of the Spirit" is paramount in preaching, rather than "enticing words" [14]. While extrabiblical examples can make abstract truths more relatable, they must always remain subservient to the authoritative teaching of Scripture. The ultimate aim is to ensure that the sermon's content is rooted in and faithfully represents the biblical message.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
  7. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 15:4 cross-references: Exodus 15:14, 1 Samuel 2:2, Psalms 22:3, Psalms 22:23, Psalms 22:27, Psalms 86:9, Psalms 89:7, Psalms 97:8, Psalms 99:5, Psalms 99:9, Psalms 105:7, Psalms 111:9, Psalms 117:1, Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah 24:15, Isaiah 25:3, Isaiah 26:9, Isaiah 45:23, Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 60:5, Isaiah 66:18, Isaiah 66:22, Jeremiah 5:22, Jeremiah 10:7, Jeremiah 16:19, Hosea 3:5, Habakkuk 1:12, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 8:20, Zechariah 14:16, Malachi 1:11, Luke 12:4, Romans 15:9, 2 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Peter 1:16, Revelation 3:7, Revelation 4:8, Revelation 6:10, Revelation 11:15, Revelat”
  8. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 11:15 cross-references: Exodus 15:18, Psalms 2:2, Psalms 22:27, Psalms 72:11, Psalms 86:9, Psalms 89:15, Psalms 110:4, Psalms 146:10, Isaiah 2:2, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 27:13, Isaiah 44:23, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 49:22, Isaiah 55:5, Isaiah 60:3, Jeremiah 16:19, Ezekiel 37:25, Ezekiel 47:5, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:14, Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:22, Daniel 7:27, Hosea 2:23, Amos 9:11, Micah 4:1, Micah 4:7, Zephaniah 3:9, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 8:20, Zechariah 14:9, Malachi 1:11, Matthew 6:13, Luke 1:33, Luke 15:6, Luke 15:10, Hebrews 1:8, Revelation 8:2, Revelation 8:12, Revelation 9:1, Revelati”
  9. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:7 cross-references: Exodus 34:7, Job 33:24, Psalms 32:1, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 130:4, Psalms 130:7, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 31:34, Daniel 9:9, Daniel 9:19, Daniel 9:24, Jonah 4:2, Micah 7:18, Zechariah 9:11, Zechariah 13:1, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 20:28, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 1:77, Luke 7:40, Luke 7:47, Luke 24:47, John 20:23, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38, Acts 20:28, Romans 2:4, Romans 3:24, Romans 4:6, Romans 9:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:19”
  10. II Timothy “II Timothy 4:2 (BSB) — Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.”
  11. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “James 3:5 cross-references: Exodus 5:2, Exodus 15:9, 2 Kings 19:22, Job 21:14, Job 22:17, Psalms 10:3, Psalms 12:2, Psalms 17:10, Psalms 52:1, Psalms 73:8, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 15:2, Proverbs 18:21, Jeremiah 9:3, Jeremiah 18:18, Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 29:3, Daniel 3:15, Daniel 4:30, 2 Peter 2:18, Jude 1:16, Revelation 13:5”
  12. Acts “preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. -- Acts 28:31”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:3: I--the preacher: as Co1 2:2 describes the subject, "Christ crucified," and Co1 2:4 the mode of preaching: "my speech . . . not with enticing words," "but in demonstration of the Spirit." weakness--personal and bodily (Co2 10:10; Co2 12:7, Co2 12:9; Gal 4:13). trembling--(compare Phi 2:12). Not personal fear, but a trembling anxiety to perform a duty; anxious conscientiousness, as proved by the contrast to "eye service" (Eph 6:5) [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].”
  15. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 10:15: And how shall they preach, except they be sent,.... There is no proper, rightful, regular, and lawful preaching of the word without a mission, which is either extraordinary, or ordinary; extraordinary mission was such as the apostles themselves had; who, as they were called to extraordinary service, had extraordinary qualifications, and were sent forth in an extraordinary manner, with a power of doing miracles, and immediately by Christ himself. Ordinary mission is of men to be pastors and teachers, which includes qualifications for the ministerial work; for whom Chr”
  16. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 50:8: However scrupulous in external worship, it was offered as if they conferred an obligation in giving God His own, and with a degrading view of Him as needing it [Psa 50:9-13]. Reproving them for such foolish and blasphemous notions, He teaches them to offer, or literally, "sacrifice," thanksgiving, and pay, or perform, their vows--that is, to bring, with the external symbolical service, the homage of the heart, and faith, penitence, and love. To this is added an invitation to seek, and a promise to afford, all needed help in trouble.”
  17. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 24:27: Beginning at Moses, etc. - What a sermon this must have been, where all the prophecies relative to the incarnation, birth, teaching, miracles, sufferings, death, and resurrection of the blessed Jesus were all adduced, illustrated, and applied to himself, by an appeal to the well known facts which had taken place during his life! We are almost irresistibly impelled to exclaim, What a pity this discourse had not been preserved! No wonder their hearts burned within them, while hearing such a sermon, from such a preacher. The law and the prophets had all borne testimony,”
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