The devil can do exposition
Two essential ingredients for preaching. By John Piper, Desiring God.
Exposition and exultation are never separated in true preaching.
It is possible to do exposition of texts that you don’t even believe, let alone exult over. So, I do not regard exposition per se as the defining mark of preaching. The devil can do biblical exposition — even speaking true propositions about the text’s meaning. But the devil cannot exult over the divine glory of the meaning of Scripture. He hates it. So he cannot preach — not the way I define it.
Of course, mindless enthusiasts who ignore the meaning of texts can exult as they try to preach, but not in the true meaning of the text and the reality behind it. So exultation per se is not the defining mark of preaching. But together — exposition, as making clear what the Scripture really means, and exultation, as openly treasuring the divine glories of that meaning — they combine to make preaching what it is.
Throughout the New Testament, Paul models and commands such preaching not only in evangelistic settings, but also in the church, the house of God (Romans 1:15; 2 Timothy 4:2). But why? When the church gathers, why should a pastor go beyond mere teaching or mere exultation to practice expository exultation?
My answer is that preaching in this way corresponds to the nature of God, the nature of Scripture, and the nature of corporate worship. God is supremely beautiful and valuable. Scripture, as his inspired word, aims to awaken and sustain the true knowledge of God to the end that we might enjoy him and exhibit him to the world. And corporate worship gives a visible, united expression to that knowledge, enjoyment, and exhibition.
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