This comprehensive and engaging manual aids preachers in keeping the transformative meaning and impact of the biblical text intact through all hermeneutical and homiletical processes. While this approach applies to all sermon structures, the book focuses on the less familiar one-point expository message rather than the more common three-point sermon, or verse-by-verse approach.
Drawing upon the strengths of their backgrounds as homiletic and biblical studies professors, the authors help the reader identify which biblical texts fit the one-point expository sermon structure, explain how to develop the sermons, and provide sermon samples that illustrate the approach. The authors explore the features of each major literary genre and how it helps to shape the sermon. With their shared expertise in biblical studies and homiletics, they offer a book brimming with insights and usefulness.
“They approach the text to discover meaning that will flow through them to their congregations in a three-phase communication process: (1) extract meaning from the text, (2) submit to the work of the Holy Spirit as he applies the text to the preacher and then the congregation, and (3) communicate that meaning to the listeners.” (Page 20)
“Preaching involves teaching people the Bible so they can encounter God and live transformed lives. For this to take place, the listeners will need to do more than understand biblical teachings. They will need to integrate them into their lives. This requires preachers to identify the transformative truth in the text and develop a transformative point based upon the truth.” (Page 52)
“Preachers must know what they want their listeners to do and they must call them to do it. The transformative point is clear, direct, and life changing.” (Page 56)
“Preaching is teaching the people the truth of the Scripture, it is not teaching the Scripture.” (Page 54)
“Remember, movements are the journey, while the point is the destination.” (Page 44)
Jim L. Wilson (D.Min, Golden Gate Theological Seminary) is a former pastor and is now professor of Leadership Formation and the director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Golden Gate. He is an award-winning writer who has authored, co-authored or contributed to more than a dozen books.
R. Gregg Watson (Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Associate Dean at Gateway Seminary. Watson served as a translator for the Holman Christian Standard Bible project, working on one of the Old Testament translation committees. He also served as pastor of Brandon Baptist Church in Brandon, Texas.
Michael Kuykendall (Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Professor of New Testament Studies at Gateway Seminary. He is the chief editor of Bible Review Journal, and serves as the president of the Northwest Baptist Historical Society.
David Johnson (Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, D.Min., Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary) is executive director for the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. He co-teaches homiletics in Gateway’s D.Min. program with Professor Wilson.