“The Art of Expositionally Topical Sermons” is a guest post by Dr. Don McCaig, who serves as a church consultant, leadership trainer, and financial planner. You can learn more about him below. To submit a guest post for consideration, learn more here.
I can already hear my former professors, seminary peers, and favorite preachers proclaiming, “Expository preaching is the only way to faithfully teach God’s Word.” Generally, I agree with this principle—but perhaps not in the way most others might.
While earning a master’s degree in expositional preaching, I began to notice how often terms like “exposition” and “line-by-line” or “book-by-book” preaching were used interchangeably. For many, expository preaching seems synonymous with a verse-by-verse approach through a book of the Bible. If that’s the definition, then I vehemently disagree that it’s the only way to faithfully teach Scripture.
To be clear, I do believe that line-by-line preaching is one of the easiest ways for a preacher to stay faithful to the text. However, there is also a place for topical sermons within a preacher’s calendar. To some, this might sound like borderline heresy, but that’s likely because they’ve never encountered what I call expositionally topical sermons.
The Case for Topical Preaching
Some subjects are simply better addressed from a topical perspective. Doctrinal themes like the Trinity or broad biblical concepts like grace and justice are often easier for congregants to grasp when the preacher paints a comprehensive picture drawn from multiple passages. A key advantage of topical sermons is their ability to address contemporary relevance.
Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles frequently engaged with the pressing issues of their day (see Neh. 5:1–13; Jer. 29:1–7; Matt. 22:15–22; Luke 13:1–5; 1 Cor. 5:1–5). By contrast, a book-by-book approach can take months (or even years), which may delay addressing the immediate concerns of the congregation. Topical sermons allow preachers to tackle those pressing issues head-on.
The negative reputation of topical preaching stems largely from how it is often misused. Some immature preachers cherry-pick a handful of verses to support a preconceived idea, teaching them out of context and distorting Scripture. This approach forces the Bible to conform to the preacher’s agenda rather than allowing Scripture to speak for itself. This is the fundamental sin of bad preaching, and it’s precisely what expositionally topical preaching avoids.
What Does “Expositional” Really Mean?
Exposition is not about the delivery style of the sermon but about the interpretation of the passage. To preach expositionally means being text-centered, contextual, and sensitive to the passage’s key words, historical background, and theological significance. In this light, exposition is not synonymous with verse-by-verse preaching. Exposition happens in the study; verse-by-verse happens in the pulpit.
Since expositional work involves drawing meaning from Scripture in its context, there is no reason it cannot be applied to a topical sermon. This does require extra effort, but as preachers, we are called to labor over the Word for the benefit of our congregations.
How to Write an Expositionally Topical Sermon
1. Choose the Topic
Start by identifying the topic of the sermon or series. There are two primary methods for doing this:
Biblical Themes or Doctrines: The safest and most faithful approach is to select a theme that Scripture addresses consistently, such as salvation, faith, or the person of Jesus. These topics are naturally rooted in the Bible, making it easier to remain expositional.
Answering a Question: Topics driven by practical or cultural questions can also be impactful: “What does the Bible say about parenting?” or “How should Christians respond to political tension?” These topics are highly relevant but require caution. The Bible may not speak directly to an issue, or its message may challenge popular opinions. In such cases, preachers must be transparent: “The Bible doesn’t address this issue directly, but here’s what it teaches on related topics.”
2. Do the Expositional Work
Gather all the passages relevant to your topic and study them deeply. Ask questions like:
- What is the context of each passage?
- Who is the author, and who is the audience?
- What are the key words, cultural implications, and theological themes?
This step is more challenging than preparing a verse-by-verse sermon because you are working across multiple texts. However, the effort is worthwhile, as it provides a richer understanding of the topic.
3. Integrate Your Findings
Once you’ve done the expositional work, synthesize the insights into a cohesive message. For instance, you might explore how the biblical term ekklesia (church) is used in different contexts to teach on the nature of the church. Or, you could examine various passages on justice to illustrate how God’s justice is both restorative and retributive. Look for patterns and themes that unite the passages into a single narrative or theological point.
4. Craft a Compelling Introduction
Topical sermons require an engaging introduction to prepare the congregation for a message drawn from multiple texts. Unlike book-by-book preaching, where listeners are already oriented to the passage, topical sermons need a roadmap. Explain how the selected texts connect and what unites them under the chosen theme. A thoughtful introduction ensures your audience isn’t lost as you weave together Scripture into a unified message. For more on creating an compelling sermon, check out this article.
The Benefits of Expositionally Topical Preaching
Throughout my preaching ministry, I’ve often heard feedback like, “You explain things in a way that’s easy to understand. Other preachers I’ve had are hard to follow or speak over my head, but you make complex issues clear.” This isn’t a testament to my skill as much as it is to the power of expositionally topical preaching.
When preachers methodically and biblically teach on significant themes or questions, they help listeners see how Scripture works together cohesively. The Bible, though written by over 40 human authors, ultimately has one divine author. Expositionally topical preaching highlights this unity by demonstrating how God’s Word speaks consistently across different texts, genres, and contexts.
Expositionally topical preaching is not a shortcut or a way to avoid hard work. It requires the same, if not more, diligence and study as verse-by-verse preaching. However, it offers a flexibility and relevance that allows preachers to address pressing issues in a faithful, biblical way. By combining the depth of exposition with the accessibility of topical sermons, this method can transform your preaching ministry, connecting your congregation to the richness of Scripture and the immediacy of its application to their lives.
So, whether you’re tackling the Trinity, justice, or the latest cultural issue, remember this: the power of preaching lies in letting the Word speak—faithfully, contextually, and powerfully—no matter the method. Are you ready to try the art of expositionally topical sermons?
Dr. Don McCaig is a church consultant, leadership trainer, and financial planner with nearly two decades of pastoral experience. He holds advanced degrees in theology, preaching, and leadership and is dedicated to equipping Christian leaders to grow spiritually and lead with excellence in their ministries.
