MIN-430 Topic 7 - DQ 2
October 13, 2023
Elias Ruiz
Professor and Classmates,
Merida says that the functional elements of a sermon are explanation, illustration, and
application, though he says that an illustration is not necessarily needed (Merida, 2009, p. 119). The first
one,
Explanation,
is the process of making an issue clear and understandable. It is better to start with
this one as the others are 'servants' of Explanation (p.119). Application is asking 'what does this text say
to hearers?' It is putting something to use.
Chapell, in 'Christ-Centered Preaching' explains that without
application, a preacher has no reason to preach because truth without actual potential application fulfills
no redemptive purpose (Chapell, 2018, p.188). Illustration, 'To Enlighten or Make Clear" (p. 127). An
illustration is that which brings light and life to biblical truth.
My preferred functional element for my expository sermon would be Explanation, walking
through the text by explaining what it meant to its original hearers. It will include an exegetical work
through the structure and the meaning of the text. It is essential because the other three elements are
servants and are subjected to the others. The passage needs to be explained to be understood or not
misunderstood. Be careful of going into much detail so as not to confuse or bore the people. Giving the
right explanation will prepare and excite the people expecting the main message.
Sometimes the text in the Old Testament is typological. It is a Biblical idea that crosses both
testaments. More specifically, a type in Scripture is a person or thing in the Old Testament that
foreshadows a person or thing in the New Testament. For example, the flood of Noah's day (Genesis 6—
7) is used as a type of baptism in 1 Peter 3:20-21. The word for "type" that Peter uses is figure.
(
www.Gotquestions.com
). Jesus' own disciples, both before and after Pentecost, frequently didn't
understand what the Master was doing. Although they had a perfect Teacher, they often failed to
understand him correctly. Nevertheless, Jesus used them. This demonstrated that the disciples' success
resulted from God's work, not human achievement.
"
Crux
" is Latin for Cross. A "crux" is also the
most important point of any topic. For Christianity, the Cross of Christ is the
crux
; the most
important point, the decisive issue.
Pastor Eli
Chapell, B. (2018). Christ-Centered preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. Baker Academic.
https://books.google.ie/books?id=yL2wtAEACAAJ&dq=isbn:9780801099748&hl=&cd=1&source=gbs_api
