What is topical preaching? Should a pastor preach topically?

Now this is, of course, extreme; but we do feel that topical study of the Bible, arranging and classifying it into doctrine, should occupy a minor place in our studies; but we must qualify this to a certain extent, and can best do so by going a little further into detail.

It will be found most helpful to take up and go regularly through different books of the Bible, especially the New Testament, and particularly the Epistles where the full light of truth for this dispensation of the Church is especially given. Such verse by verse consideration of the Bible, with opportunities for discussion and questions, has proven most helpful and results in souls being "Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith" (Col. 2:7).Subjects which lead to various portions of the Word for consideration may also be taken up with profit. "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit" would be an example of such a subject.

The need to consider this important topic is very great. The trend in Christendom is away from solid expository preaching and teaching of the Word of God. His Word is set aside and man’s views and opinions dominate the scene. A form of religious entertainment seems to pervade much of what is found on platforms today. Showmanship and spectacular presentations accompanied by mood setting music is the norm for thousands of Christians. What has God to say to this? What is His prescribed order? What method of communication of Christian truth has His mandate? The editors encourage the communication of spiritual truth by spiritual means both in the assemblings of God’s people and in the spread of the gospel in the world.

There is a great need for regular expository preaching and teaching, in a consecutive manner, of the books of the Bible. The need to preach on fundamental subjects of the faith is also essential for the edification of the Lord’s people. The danger of presenting varied and sundry precious thoughts, and little ‘pet talks’ just to fill the hour will not suffice. The preacher must learn, from God, his craft and apply his gift for the definite benefit of the hearers.

In order to judge Israel, Samuel travelled an annual circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah to Ramah. The Lord Jesus also went in a circuit, teaching (Mark 6:6), and the Apostle Paul preached in a circuit (Rom. 15:18–19). From these examples we may learn that it is not only necessary for brothers with pastoral care to continually revisit the same locations, but that it is especially necessary to have regular structured teaching on certain biblical topics.

As to presenting Christ or Scripture. It is clear, if we love souls, we shall present Christ; so it was in the Apostles' preaching, though to Jews. They might start from, and reason on their Scriptures which they received. Scripture is what we teach from - have our standard of truth in - not what we teach as a subject, save where there is special occasion.

This Pentecostal address, being the first Christian sermon, is worthy of our most careful attention. It contained no pretension to great learning, it left untouched all the social and political questions which so fascinate the minds of men, and it dealt exclusively with the hearts and consciences of the hearers as to a Person — Jesus. Its forceful language was full of Scripture; not only Joel 2, but also Psalms 16, and 110 being pressed into service. Why should the time of congregations in our own day ever be wasted with discourses of any other character? This, and this only, is the kind of preaching that is mighty through God for the blessing of the souls of men.

Next, we must say a word about avoiding extremes. There is always a danger of our being one-sided. Probably every one of us has certain lines of truth which are more enjoyable than others. This can be seen in public ministry. The Lord's servants, in common with all Christians, have these favorite lines of study and thought, and unless they are on their guard, it will be found that these recur with too great frequency in their public ministry. Thus the bent of mind in some leads them to finding the typical significance in occurrences, phrases, words, numbers, etc. While this is, as we have already pointed out, a most delightful field of study, we must not make it the staple, and we must not get the reputation of being the brother who always speaks on types.

Again, others are devoted to prophetic truth, and dwell almost exclusively upon interesting points of prophetic detail, omitting, however, matters of greater moment. Others in preaching the gospel will dwell largely upon the narrative portions of the Gospels and Old Testament, while still others may never leave the Epistles for their gospel themes. There are those who crowd their addresses with illustrations and narratives, and others in whose addresses these are entirely lacking. Let us do nothing over much in any of these directions. May our entire knowledge of the word of God be harmoniously developed; "Unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding."

First of all, in verse 20, he says, "I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you." The apostle thought of his hearers and of their profit. He knew very well that what he received he was bound to communicate; he was a steward "of the mysteries of God." (1 Cor. 4:1.) He was perfectly aware that all that was revealed to him must be for the profit of those to whom he ministered, and he faithfully delivered it. It was to this very assembly he afterwards wrote an epistle which unfolds the highest truth, the subject of which doubtless formed part of his oral instruction, and therefore the apostle considered it no less than the other parts of revelation - profitable to his hearers. The fact is, under the Spirit's guidance, it is impossible to turn to any part of revealed truth that is not profitable. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable," the same writer says in another epistle. (2 Tim. 3:16.) There is need to emphasize that word all. No doubt there are chapters in God's word - as well as doctrines - of special importance, but the point to be borne in mind is that all are necessary. A face with any feature lacking we should consider sadly deformed. The undue prominence of others would not make amends; and so not only should every truth find a place, but its right place, and that in proper proportion.

In the apostle Paul's writings there is no lack of variety; and even in the chapter before us we find his ministry comprised the following themes: repentance and faith, the grace of God, the kingdom of God, and the whole counsel of God. As Co ourselves, all scripture lies open before us. Over this vast field - every part of which in turn yields "meat in due season" - we are privileged to roam. The profit of his hearers was what the apostle ever had before him; and under the Spirit's guidance he seems to have known in a wonderful way just what was needed - like his blessed Master, who spake "the word unto them, as they were able to hear it." (Mark 4:33.)

Here lies the secret of successful ministry - to be so near the Lord as to know what He would have given out. It is one thing to be enjoying a truth ourselves; quite another, whether that will meet the special need of others. Someone has said, "Proclaim every atom of the truth so far as God has taught it you. Harmony requires that the voice of one doctrine shall not drown the rest, and it also demands that the gentler notes shall not be omitted because of the greater volume of other sounds. All revealed truth in harmonious proportion must be your theme. We would give every portion of Scripture its fair share in our heart and head. Let us abhor all one-sidedness, all exaggeration of one truth and disparagement of another." Such was the method of the apostle Paul; his teaching embraced repentance on the one hand, and the counsel of God on the other, and we may add, all that lies between those two extremes.

There are several advantages and several dangers connected with this kind of study which we will point out. Among the advantages, may be mentioned: 1st. An increasing knowledge of Scripture-truth, and an illustration of the unity of that truth underlying the entire word of God. 2nd. A variety of treatments of the same subject in different portions of the Scriptures. 3rd. The development of the faculty of selection and grouping. 4th. A directness and conciseness of statement helpful in analysis. 5th. A useful help in the topical or doctrinal study previously described.

The method of treating the subject has been simply to gather the various scriptures under appropriate heads, and to learn their meaning. Unscriptural views, both as to corporate and individual truth, have been frankly examined and tested by the word of God. It need hardly be said that edification in love, and not controversy, has been the object. The truth of God is for all His people, and not for a select few.