August 6, 2023 we began a series preaching through the Book of John, the Gospel. Wow has it been a great blessing and challenge as we are now eight sermons in. It will take us after our Christmas Series into 2024 and we are not going to hurry and rush.
For the early years I preached mostly topical sermons and it was often in a series as we will do this Christmas during advent. Yet over the past thirty years I have also preached through many books verse by verse. Expository preaching seems to be such a great learning tool for us as a congregation and for me as preacher. It makes the preacher study, to dig in and I love that. You have to deal with the tough text. I have not enjoyed preaching anymore than I do right now. FSBCamden is a preacher's church. We love the Word!
There are those who say it isn't expository preaching unless you are preaching book by book, verse by verse. I subscribe to the Adrian Rogers philosophy that this type of preaching comes in different ways and presentations. Breaking down and presenting the passage whether through a book, part of a book or chapter, It can be an expository sermon. I agree with him. The key is to preach the Bible.
What I love about preaching through a book of the Bible is I know where I will be next week as soon as I am finished with the second message each week. That takes a lot of pressure off of the preacher.
The above Bible reminds me of the statement, "A Bible that is falling apart usually represents a life that is not falling apart."
The Bible gives us more than enough for this lifetime to preach. It has been some kind of year here in Camden. Lord I pray You do not take Your hand of goodness and mercy from us.
Thank you Church for being faithful.
