Christ-Centered Preaching—Bryan Chapell

INTRODUCTION

One will never master a tool until they understand how that tool functions. Similarly, a preacher cannot adequately employ the God-given tool of preaching unless they know God’s design for its function. In his book Christ-Centered Preaching, Bryan Chapell accomplishes the difficult task of increasing—correcting, in most cases—a preacher’s understanding of God’s purpose in every text and the handling of that text in sermonic function. Now in its third edition, Christ-Centered Preaching has significantly impacted evangelical thinking. While Chapell’s insights are not seminal in the stream of Christ-centered preaching—credit Christ and the apostles for that—his book published in 1994, has served as an important catalyst for an entire genre of Christ-centered resources. By casting a vision for preaching anchored in textual authority and empowered by Christ’s supply of grace, Christ-Centered Preaching equips spiritual shepherds with the clarifying and practical insights necessary to skillfully handle the tool of expository preaching.

the meaning of the passage is the meaning of the sermon

Bryan Chapell structures his homiletical handbook along a three-part division: a convictional foundation, a homiletical pattern, and an analysis of the essential Christ-centered focus. The author begins his book by establishing the principles of expository preaching. Part One explains the principles that rectify the common shortcomings of modern preaching.

Chapell convincingly explains that to exposit the Word of God, a preacher must hold the conviction that “the meaning of the passage is the meaning of the sermon” because exposition inherently involves exposing (32). The Logos incarnate is inextricably linked with the logos, the Word. The Bible serves as God’s revelation of himself through human words, encompassing not only the message of God but also embodying the very Words of God in every word and phrase of Scripture. Therefore, Chapel defines an expository sermon as “a message whose structure and thought are derived from a biblical text, that covers the scope of the text, and that explains the features and context of the text to disclose the enduring principles for faithful thinking, living, and worship intended by the Spirit, who inspired the text” (31). A sermon must uncover God’s essential truth and reveal the message’s significance for the hearer’s life and godliness.

Chapel further explains that sermons are not static prose. The preacher’s message exists within the realm of time and comes to life through the oral delivery of a spokesman. Chapell emphasizes that the sermon is partially intertwined with the ethos or the life of the one conveying the message. Character matters. The preacher’s way of life will either strengthen or weaken the message.

attempts to conform our character to God’s requirement by the sufficiency of our actions are as arrogant as efforts to save souls by our talents

Additionally, Chapell emphasizes that grace serves as the thematic center of the Bible. Moralism promotes trying harder, which evokes a non-biblical proposition of self-reliant moralism. While it is true that God desires his children to uphold his moral standards, the redemptive story of humanity from the garden onward reveals that human effort falls woefully short of God’s perfect standard. Biblical Christianity preached weekly from evangelical pulpits, declares that the Gospel saves solely by grace through faith, without any necessary works. Amen! This is the Gospel. However, evangelical ministers often neglect to preach believers’ obedience in light of the equally vital application of God’s grace in Christ. Chapell powerfully asserts that “attempts to conform our character to God’s requirement by the sufficiency of our actions are as arrogant as efforts to save souls by our talents” (39). Christ-centered preaching proceeds from the preacher’s conviction that God’s Word is his exclusive message, and the entirety of Scripture expounds God’s redemptive plan, which alone is sufficient for redemption and sanctification.

THE HOMILETICAL PATTERN

After establishing the core convictions of preaching, Bryan Chapell practically develops the homiletical necessities and patterns of a text-driven, grace-focused message in Part Two. Sermons, being more than mere truth statements, require unity, purpose, and application. A running commentary falls short of being a biblical exposition because it does not expose the divine message. Addressing the topics of unity, purpose, and application, the author demonstrates that sermon unity strives to identify the big idea of the text and directs the entirety of the sermon’s explanation toward conveying that main point. Moreover, if the sermon is genuinely Christ-centered, its purpose establishes the Fallen Condition Focus implied by the text. This Fallen Condition Focus centers the message around the listener’s need, as every believer has areas of life that are incomplete. Skilled expositors understand that their task is to identify the human need the divine message of the text uncovers. However, discovery alone is insufficient. The third component of a ”well-constructed” sermon—application—utilizes Christ’s redemption and grace to fill those holes. The remainder of Part Two offers valuable guidance on organizing and outlining a homiletical message, including clear and helpful transitions, introductions, and conclusions.

THE CHRIST-CENTERED FOCUS

Christ-centered preaching rightly understood does not seek to discover where Christ is mentioned in every text but to disclose where every text stands in relation to Christ

In Part Three of Christ-Centered Preaching, Chapell concludes his book by further developing the redemptive components of a Christ-centered exposition. Part One established the principle of Christ-centered or grace-focused preaching. Recognizing that principles can often remain elusive without a toolbox of resources to implement them, Chapell assists the reader by providing detailed guidance on preaching with a Christ-centered expository conviction. Additionally, attempting Christ-centered preaching without the proper tools can be dangerous. Chapell highlights the central problem when he states, “Christ-centered preaching rightly understood does not seek to discover where Christ is mentioned in every text but to disclose where every text stands in relation to Christ” (279).

As the author explains, a sermon should unveil the truth about God’s nature that offers redemption while also revealing the text-exposed aspect of human nature that requires redemption (284). After revealing the Fallen Condition Focus (FCF) of the text, Christ-centered exposition demonstrates how the text shows the grace of Christ to address the hearer’s need. According to the author, arriving at the application of grace in Christ may often involve taking a different path or approach in a sermon. However, the expositor must never conclude a message without revealing Christ as the source of supply for the direct or implied imperative of the text.

Finally, Chapell concludes by demonstrating that grace and love are more powerful motivators than guilt. As the preacher exalts Christ in all his glory, believers experience growth in confident awe and love for Jesus. Jesus continues to save those who are already saved. The author provides a helpful caution against the dangers of moralism through the concept of the “deadly Be’s” (289). This warning explains that moralistic messages focused on self ultimately lead to frustration, discouragement, and a missed opportunity to embrace the aid of the Gospel. While determining the redemptive application of a text requires significant effort, Christ-centered exposition alone reveals the grace necessary for sustained spiritual growth.

CONCLUSION

I found Christ-Centered Preaching a valuable resource that offers clear, well-developed, and applicable insights for preaching that honors the message and emphasizes the superiority of grace in every text. Bryan Chapell’s book, Christ-Centered Preaching, has long been regarded as one of the foremost homiletical texts in evangelical and reformed circles—and it certainly lived up to its reputation. I plan to revist this book and recommend this resource to anyone committed to faithfully preaching the Bible.