Teaching as Worship

This text is for the Spirit-filled Bible teacher seeking to preach expository sermons in a manner that honors the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition. It seeks to accomplish two crucial tasks: reclaim the office of teacher in the local Pentecostal pulpit, and provide a model for expository preaching that is faithful to Pentecostal preaching distinctives and the unique approach with which Pentecostals interpret Scripture. Jesus gave the church five offices: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher (Eph 4:11). The office of teacher, though well represented in Pentecostal Bible schools, seminaries, and universities around the world, struggles to find full acceptance in local church pulpits. Some Pentecostal Bible-teaching pastors have probably noticed this and may even wonder if they belong in the Pentecostal movement. They do! The Pentecostal Bible-teaching pastor is deeply concerned about biblical fidelity in the pulpit. They’re proud of their libraries and word studies, and they enjoy conducting research. The expository sermon is the primary tool for such Bible teachers. The model for such put forward in this book posits expository preaching not as a method for congregational learning (though it will function this way), but for the unapologetic, unabashed, exultative worship of Jesus Christ.