Honing Exposition

In my ongoing quest to be better preacher - and by better I don't necessarily mean more likeable or more adept at public speaking or more interesting, although these things have their value - I've been taking a closer look at what constitutes good, expository preaching.

Although perhaps not possible in every setting or sermon, I think an ideal message from a pastor to his people will include exposition (exposing the meaning of the passage), evangelism (revealing and proclaiming the Gospel in the passage), application (what decision and/or action is called for) and an apologetic (why this is Truth with a capital "T").

In regard to evangelism, I like what J.I. Packer says in Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God:

"So, in the last analysis, there is only one method of evangelism: namely, the faithful explanation and application of the gospel message.  From which it follows - and this it he key principle which we are seeking - that the test for any proposed strategy, technique or style of evangelistic action must be this:  will it in fact serve the word? Is it calculated to be a means of explaining the gospel truly and fully and applying it deeply and exactly?  To the extent to which it is so calculated, it is lawful and right; to the extent to which it tends to overlay and obscure the realities of the message, and to blunt the edge of their application, it is ungodly and wrong."