Topical Versus Expository Sermons?

[bobinfaith]

Good morning, brothers and sisters;

I listen to Pastor's sermons on Christian talk radio when I'm driving and noticed most are topical sermons, a subject theme using various Scriptures. I also noticed very few preachers give expository sermons, a series of books, for example, a week to week message on Exodus, or Acts.

I don't recall the Pastor's name but he gave close to a 54 hour expository sermon in Florida about 11 years ago. Another Pastor in the 19th century gave an expository sermon, week to week that lasted 18 years! I will try to find the names unless someone else already knows.

What is your experience of sermons given? I know it's "as the Lord leads," that's a fundamental given, but what is your personal preference and why?

This is not a gotcha question. I'm interested in knowing your thoughts and how has listening to the message affected you?

God bless everyone.

Bob

 

[BibleLover]

Good morning, brothers and sisters;

I listen to Pastor's sermons on Christian talk radio when I'm driving and noticed most are topical sermons, a subject theme using various Scriptures. I also noticed very few preachers give expository sermons, a series of books, for example, a week to week message on Exodus, or Acts.

I don't recall the Pastor's name but he gave close to a 54 hour expository sermon in Florida about 11 years ago. Another Pastor in the 19th century gave an expository sermon, week to week that lasted 18 years! I will try to find the names unless someone else already knows.

What is your experience of sermons given? I know it's "as the Lord leads," that's a fundamental given, but what is your personal preference and why?

This is not a gotcha question. I'm interested in knowing your thoughts and how has listening to the message affected you?

God bless everyone.

Bob

I prefer expository preaching because I enjoy plumbing the depths of Scripture.

 

[cocoa]

From my experience topical preaching can sometimes be self-centered (what you can do to get God to make your life better). Expository preaching dive deep into scripture and is a really a study of our God and who He is... it's so much more satisfying.

 

[Major]

Good morning, brothers and sisters;

I listen to Pastor's sermons on Christian talk radio when I'm driving and noticed most are topical sermons, a subject theme using various Scriptures. I also noticed very few preachers give expository sermons, a series of books, for example, a week to week message on Exodus, or Acts.

I don't recall the Pastor's name but he gave close to a 54 hour expository sermon in Florida about 11 years ago. Another Pastor in the 19th century gave an expository sermon, week to week that lasted 18 years! I will try to find the names unless someone else already knows.

What is your experience of sermons given? I know it's "as the Lord leads," that's a fundamental given, but what is your personal preference and why?

This is not a gotcha question. I'm interested in knowing your thoughts and how has listening to the message affected you?

God bless everyone.

Bob

I was comfortable with both and I did both of them.

It was my practice to do topical sermons on Sunday morning and expository teaching on books of the Bible on Sunday evenings.

I usually placed a questionnaire in the Sunday bulletin on a regular basis asking the congregation if there was a "Topic" or a Bible Book that wanted to hear and allowed them to tell me.

 

[bobinfaith]

I prefer expository preaching because I enjoy plumbing the depths of Scripture.

From my experience topical preaching can sometimes be self-centered (what you can do to get God to make your life better). Expository preaching dive deep into scripture and is a really a study of our God and who He is... it's so much more satisfying.

For the last three years we joined a Church that didn't have Pastor. Each week we would have a guest preacher (including myself) on the rotating pulpit supply. In this case most sermons were topical.

The problem I have with topical preaching is the topic can be used at almost any Church. Most Pastors know better that each Church such as BibleLover's, Cocoa's and others are prepared (taylored) for the "personality" of that respective Church. This is where much prayer to the Lord is imperative. One sermon fits all is usually not a good practice.

For example, one Church may be dealing with drugs and reconciliation whereas another Church may be dealing with infidelity and riches over God.

Whenever I get asked to preach at a Church I'll speak with their Pastor (who may not be available on that Sunday) or the leaders without a permanent Pastor. This helps me prepare what the Lord is calling me to preach.

For the permanent Pastor he should know the personality of the Church he serves and as Major shared in his post, can provide both topical and expository.

In 2025 after a long vetting process our Church hired a permanent Pastor and we hope when he gets settled he will preach more on expository series of the Bible in many areas that is beneficial to hear and study, but spread out weekly.

 

[Dave F.]

Our Pastor just went to be with the Lord. While he was in the hospital, I filled in for him. I covered Isaiah 47 and 48, going into detail for each. Sunday I plan to give a sermon "The devil is a liar, an accuser, and a prosecutor without a case. " Showing how he lies and deceives and accuses us of sin. Then finishing with Jesus standing for us and God declares us not guilty. Pastor Dave Duncan did both deep study and topical sermons, and I plan on doing so as well. I think topical is probably best if you're not familiar with the congregation. The deep dive into scripture is more beneficial in giving people a better understanding of the Bible.

 

[bobinfaith]

Our Pastor just went to be with the Lord. While he was in the hospital, I filled in for him. I covered Isaiah 47 and 48, going into detail for each. Sunday I plan to give a sermon "The devil is a liar, an accuser, and a prosecutor without a case. " Showing how he lies and deceives and accuses us of sin. Then finishing with Jesus standing for us and God declares us not guilty. Pastor Dave Duncan did both deep study and topical sermons, and I plan on doing so as well. I think topical is probably best if you're not familiar with the congregation. The deep dive into scripture is more beneficial in giving people a better understanding of the Bible.

Hello Dave F.;

I'm sorry your Church's Pastor Duncan passed and am rejoicing the Lord's embrace on him. We will be praying for your Church family. We're also praying for you when you deliver the message this Sunday.

You made good point about topical being best if the preacher is not familiar with the congregation.

God bless you, Dave.