The Spurgeon Fellowship Journal

Book Review
Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon
by Bryan Chapell

Pastors occupy a unique position in our society. Where else do people voluntarily come, sit, and listen to the same person speak uninterrupted for thirty to forty minutes, fifty times a year? In light of this unparalleled practice, it is not surprising that the viability and validity of preaching is under scrutiny in evangelical Christian circles. Is it necessary to replace sermons with “conversations” in order to impact people in our culture? In a culture with little tolerance for authority and certainty, what characterizes Christian preaching? These questions lie at the heart of Bryan Chapell’s .

The subtitle of the book, Redeeming The Expository Sermon, tips Chapell’s hand even before the cover is opened. However, his aim is not primarily to build an irrefutable case for expository preaching. Rather, he aims to teach pastors how they can remain true to their convictions regarding the efficacy of expository preaching. Chapell himself admits that not all caricatures of expository preaching are unfair (p. 19). Sadly, even pastors who are committed to “expository preaching” can fail in their task, not through poor delivery but by using their preaching to treat the sickness of sin as if it can be cured through a change in human behavior. According to Chapell, “Preaching that is faithful to the whole of Scripture not only establishes God’s requirements but also highlights the redemptive truths that make holiness possible” (p. 19). In other words, redeeming the expository sermon means rescuing preachers and their sermons from “well-intended but ill-conceived legalism.”

In Part 1 of the book, Chapell presents the “Principles for Expository Preaching.” Part 2 addresses the “Preparation of Expository Sermons,” and Part 3 expounds “A Theology of Christ-Centered Messages.”

In laying a foundation for expository preaching, Chapell draws a clear distinction between word and witness. The word is the unchanging text that is the authority over our lives. No preacher possesses this authority in and of himself. He is the witness to this authority, and he must be a faithful witness. Chapell acknowledges that his congregants remember little from the vast number of sermons he has preached. However, “they will remember us and whether our lives gave credence to the message of Scripture” (p. 38, emphasis in original).

Both the nature of the word preached and the character of the one preaching are vital, but they only comprise a portion of the foundation of a Christ-centered sermon. It is crucial that preachers translate correct exegesis into a redemptive sermon. In order for the preacher’s exegesis to grow into a redemptive sermon, Chapell contends, he must place the passage under consideration in its redemptive context. In other words, where does this passage fit in the unfolding of God’s eternal plan (p. 40)? Next, Chapell highlights the qualities of unity, purpose and application (p. 42). He spends the remainder of Part 1 giving an overview of the foundational mechanics of sermon preparation.

In Part 2, Chapell delves into the actual components of the Christ-centered sermon. He presents six practical questions to help preachers sort through exegesis, isolate the pertinent information and identify what must be presented to the congregation (pp. 104-105). He wisely admonishes preachers to “share the fruit, not the sweat, of [their] exegetical labor” (p. 124). In addition to organizing the exegetical insights, a preacher must be able to craft his sermon around a useful but not distracting outline. Chapell spends considerable time demonstrating the process of creating sermon outlines by providing examples. Finally, he provides a defense for the use of illustrations, discussing right and wrong motivations for incorporating them, and practical instruction regarding their effective use (p. 190 ff.). Chapell concludes Part 2 by discussing application, introduction, closing, and transition. He identifies the introduction, conclusion, and transitions between the various parts of the message as the final components of sermon preparation. As with the other sermon elements, Chapell identifies the purpose, the practical construction, and pitfalls to avoid.

Part 3 of Christ-Centered Preaching moves away from mechanics and “how-tos” and returns to the theology of preaching. The preacher’s responsibility is to put his people in touch with God’s grace through His word because only He can “make us what we could not be on our own” (p. 269). In this final section, Chapell seeks to spell out the considerable difference between moralistic preaching and redemptive preaching.

One of the strongest contributions Chapell makes to the discussion of Christian preaching is the concept of the “Fallen Condition Focus (FCF)” (pp. 48 ff., 269 ff.). He defines the FCF as “the mutual human condition that contemporary believers share with those to or about whom the text was written that requires the grace of the passage for God’s people to glorify and enjoy him” (p. 50). Chapell sees this as the purpose for the text being written, as well as the driving purpose behind the resulting sermon. The advantage of this approach is that it helps the preacher demonstrate God’s grace as displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. If the preacher remains true to the FCF of a passage he will be guarded from letting his sermon degenerate into “Do/don’t do X” or “Be/don’t be like so-and-so.” The FCF allows the preacher to point to God’s grace as the only solution for the problem revealed in the text (p. 273). This concept leads the preacher to examine what the text reveals about us that requires redemption and what the text reveals about God that provides redemption (p. 284).

Though the FCF is a helpful and challenging guiding principle for sermon construction, one wonders if there aren’t places in the Bible in which the application of this presupposition may cloud the original author’s intent. No sin is present in Genesis 1 and 2, so can one truly identify a Fallen Condition Focus in these texts? What about other texts such as Psalm 93 which address God’s majesty and make no mention of humanity at all? These texts do not invalidate the FCF principle but should caution one against trying to force every text to fit into this rubric.

Committed Bible expositors of all evangelical stripes can ultimately benefit greatly from this book. Chapell presents a good balance of theory, theology, and practice. Those serious about practicing the principles he presents will appreciate the exercises at the end of each chapter. His material is well-organized, including outlines at the beginning of each chapter for easy reference. The Appendices address a variety of odds and ends related to preaching, including suggestions for wedding and funeral sermon structures. This book will be a welcome addition to any preacher’s library and will serve as a useful reference work for years to come.

Scott Gassoway is a Master of Divinity student at Western Seminary
and serves as Middle School Pastor at Beaverton Christian Church in Beaverton, Oregon.


	Book Review Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon by Bryan Chapell Pastors occupy a unique position in our society. Where else do people voluntarily come, sit, and listen to the same person speak uninterrupted for thirty to forty minutes, fifty times a year? In light of this unparalleled practice, it is not surprising that the viability and validity of preaching is under scrutiny in evangelical Christian circles. Is it necessary to replace sermons with “conversations” in order to impact people in our culture? In a culture with little tolerance for authority and certainty, what characterizes Christian preaching? These questions lie at the heart of Bryan Chapell’s . The subtitle of the book, Redeeming The Expository Sermon, tips Chapell’s hand even before the cover is opened. However, his aim is not primarily to build an irrefutable case for expository preaching. Rather, he aims to teach pastors how they can remain true to their convictions regarding the efficacy of expository preaching. Chapell himself admits that not all caricatures of expository preaching are unfair (p. 19). Sadly, even pastors who are committed to “expository preaching” can fail in their task, not through poor delivery but by using their preaching to treat the sickness of sin as if it can be cured through a change in human behavior. According to Chapell, “Preaching that is faithful to the whole of Scripture not only establishes God’s requirements but also highlights the redemptive truths that make holiness possible” (p. 19). In other words, redeeming the expository sermon means rescuing preachers and their sermons from “well-intended but ill-conceived legalism.” In Part 1 of the book, Chapell presents the “Principles for Expository Preaching.” Part 2 addresses the “Preparation of Expository Sermons,” and Part 3 expounds “A Theology of Christ-Centered Messages.” In laying a foundation for expository preaching, Chapell draws a clear distinction between word and witness. The word is the unchanging text that is the authority over our lives. No preacher possesses this authority in and of himself. He is the witness to this authority, and he must be a faithful witness. Chapell acknowledges that his congregants remember little from the vast number of sermons he has preached. However, “they will remember us and whether our lives gave credence to the message of Scripture” (p. 38, emphasis in original). Both the nature of the word preached and the character of the one preaching are vital, but they only comprise a portion of the foundation of a Christ-centered sermon. It is crucial that preachers translate correct exegesis into a redemptive sermon. In order for the preacher’s exegesis to grow into a redemptive sermon, Chapell contends, he must place the passage under consideration in its redemptive context. In other words, where does this passage fit in the unfolding of God’s eternal plan (p. 40)? Next, Chapell highlights the qualities of unity, purpose and application (p. 42). He spends the remainder of Part 1 giving an overview of the foundational mechanics of sermon preparation. In Part 2, Chapell delves into the actual components of the Christ-centered sermon. He presents six practical questions to help preachers sort through exegesis, isolate the pertinent information and identify what must be presented to the congregation (pp. 104-105). He wisely admonishes preachers to “share the fruit, not the sweat, of [their] exegetical labor” (p. 124). In addition to organizing the exegetical insights, a preacher must be able to craft his sermon around a useful but not distracting outline. Chapell spends considerable time demonstrating the process of creating sermon outlines by providing examples. Finally, he provides a defense for the use of illustrations, discussing right and wrong motivations for incorporating them, and practical instruction regarding their effective use (p. 190 ff.). Chapell concludes Part 2 by discussing application, introduction, closing, and transition. He identifies the introduction, conclusion, and transitions between the various parts of the message as the final components of sermon preparation. As with the other sermon elements, Chapell identifies the purpose, the practical construction, and pitfalls to avoid. Part 3 of Christ-Centered Preaching moves away from mechanics and “how-tos” and returns to the theology of preaching. The preacher’s responsibility is to put his people in touch with God’s grace through His word because only He can “make us what we could not be on our own” (p. 269). In this final section, Chapell seeks to spell out the considerable difference between moralistic preaching and redemptive preaching. One of the strongest contributions Chapell makes to the discussion of Christian preaching is the concept of the “Fallen Condition Focus (FCF)” (pp. 48 ff., 269 ff.). He defines the FCF as “the mutual human condition that contemporary believers share with those to or about whom the text was written that requires the grace of the passage for God’s people to glorify and enjoy him” (p. 50). Chapell sees this as the purpose for the text being written, as well as the driving purpose behind the resulting sermon. The advantage of this approach is that it helps the preacher demonstrate God’s grace as displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. If the preacher remains true to the FCF of a passage he will be guarded from letting his sermon degenerate into “Do/don’t do X” or “Be/don’t be like so-and-so.” The FCF allows the preacher to point to God’s grace as the only solution for the problem revealed in the text (p. 273). This concept leads the preacher to examine what the text reveals about us that requires redemption and what the text reveals about God that provides redemption (p. 284). Though the FCF is a helpful and challenging guiding principle for sermon construction, one wonders if there aren’t places in the Bible in which the application of this presupposition may cloud the original author’s intent. No sin is present in Genesis 1 and 2, so can one truly identify a Fallen Condition Focus in these texts? What about other texts such as Psalm 93 which address God’s majesty and make no mention of humanity at all? These texts do not invalidate the FCF principle but should caution one against trying to force every text to fit into this rubric. Committed Bible expositors of all evangelical stripes can ultimately benefit greatly from this book. Chapell presents a good balance of theory, theology, and practice. Those serious about practicing the principles he presents will appreciate the exercises at the end of each chapter. His material is well-organized, including outlines at the beginning of each chapter for easy reference. The Appendices address a variety of odds and ends related to preaching, including suggestions for wedding and funeral sermon structures. This book will be a welcome addition to any preacher’s library and will serve as a useful reference work for years to come. Scott Gassoway is a Master of Divinity student at Western Seminary and serves as Middle School Pastor at Beaverton Christian Church in Beaverton, Oregon.

Home About Archives Search Contact Meetings From The Editor Feature Article Interview Excerpts From A Sermon Reviews Future Issues Quotes Historical Reflection Resources Western Seminary