The Christ-Centered Expositor—Merida

INTRODUCTION

A survey of homiletical book titles, preachers’ podcasts, and online articles show a recent resurgence in emphasis on expository preaching among conservative evangelicals. It would seem by the popularity of these resources that many ministers, young and old, desire to be known as expositional in their preaching methods. One could reason that it is trendy to preach expositionally — that has not always been the case. The regained interest in expositional preaching is a testimony of God’s grace to local churches. However, many contemporary preachers claim the title of expositor when, upon observation, their pulpit ministry bears little resemblance to historical exposition. This “light exposition” from their pulpits reflects a loosely held conviction to what has become a faddish claim. Although book-by-book preaching series have grown in popularity, worldly wisdom, self-help, and moralism remain sprinkled throughout many so-called expository sermons.

Expositional preaching is more than a faddish title. It is a deeply held commitment to a definable practice of word-driven sermon development. Tony Merida’s contribution to the plethora of writings on biblical exposition contains both an argued defense and a developed strategy for faithful preaching. Merida’s work, The Christ-Centered Expositor, is pitched by the author as “a field guide” for the expositional practitioner. As such, this practical book both defines and describes Bible exposition for the would-be expositor. If a minister cannot explain exposition, he will undoubtedly struggle to practice exposition.

Faithful preaching is expositional as it exposes God’s message and Christ-centered as it declares the Glory of God in the person of Christ.

The Christ-Centered Expositor is anchored in a biblically defined and historically held pattern for Bible exposition. The author, Tony Merida, has gained popularity as a passionate practitioner and advocate for Christ-centered expository preaching. As a pastor of a thriving church, Imago Dei, in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina, Merida approaches his writing from experience, not theory. However, the credibility for the priority and pattern in The Christ-Centered Expositor is not solely his own. Instead, the authority is derived from the documented insights of contemporary and historical expositors. More importantly, the expositional pattern of preaching is supported in the text of Scripture —especially the New Testament.

Merida’s purpose and thesis for the Christ-Centered Expositor are contained in the title and subtitle of the book. His big idea is that faithful preaching includes an explanation of “what God has said in his Word,” a declaration of “what God has done in his Son,” and an application “of this message to the hearts of people” (33). Therefore, faithful preaching is expositional, as it exposes God’s message. Furthermore, faithful preaching is Christ-centered as it declares the Glory of God in the person of Christ. As the sub-title clarifies, the Word of God is how the Spirit of God makes true disciples. Therefore, “Christ-centered preaching is Word-centered, Word-driven, and Word-saturated preaching” (33).

THE CHARACTER OF A CHRIST-CENTERED EXPOSITOR

The field guide for Word-driven disciple makers gets personal in part one. The expositor must first allow his heart to be exposed to the life-changing power of the Word before he is fit to expose—or exposit— that Word to a congregation. I was convicted and encouraged by Merida’s insights on the preacher’s character. Character matters. Merida rightly claims that the expositor’s “character must be more persuasive than our [his] speech” (41). Part one appeals to gospel-sanctified godliness in the preacher’s personal life (44).

My people’s greatest need is my holiness.

Merida quotes Robert Murray M’Cheyne saying, “My people’s greatest need is my holiness” (39). Merida goes on to personally say that “it does not matter how gifted you are: if you do not have godliness, you don’t have a ministry” (52). I found this statement moving and insightful. Talent does not make up for the lack of godliness in God’s economy. In truth, “Godliness makes up for your deficiencies” (52). I have seen God bless a lesser-skilled expositor because that man was/is godly. When given a choice between a sharp tool or a clean tool, God always chooses the clean tool.

Pastoral ministry includes a life publicly lived alongside a congregation. The preacher’s life is a seen life. Therefore, that life either brings a sanctified credibility to the life-changing efficacy of the Word or the ungodly testimony of the preacher brings harm to that Word. Thus, the exposition of God’s Word must first begin rooting out the sinful waywardness in the expositor’s life before that mouth opens to speak the Word.

From start to finish, preaching is a spiritual activity.

In chapters five through seven, Merida gives three essential character-developing pursuits in the Christ-centered expositor’s ministry: reliance on the Spirit’s power, cultivation of a vibrant prayer life, and humility to teach and preach for God’s glory.

THE MESSAGE OF A CHRIST-CENTERED EXPOSITOR

The supremacy of expository preaching is a belief in the sufficiency of Scripture. Merida shares the extent of Scriptures adequacy when he says, “The sufficiency of Scripture means that God’s Word contains everything we need for salvation, knowing God’s will, being conformed into Christ’s image, and trusting in God perfectly” (60). Since the Word of God is sufficient for the salvation and the sanctification of Christ’s church, the minister of the Word has no other pulpit duty but to deliver this Word to God’s people.

The Christ-centered expositor will passionately make the hero of the Bible the hero of every message.

Overall, I found The Christ-Centered Expositor helpful and very difficult to critique negatively. I found myself in agreement with his assessments and instruction. I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to grow as a teacher or preacher.