Mike Neglia welcomes Dr. Steve Mathewson to the Expositors Collective show and Steve shares his deep insights into sermon preparation and delivery. The discussion covers the strategic use of illustrations to enhance sermon relatability, techniques for crafting engaging introductions, and continuous improvement in communicating God's Word. Dr. Mathewson also provides a preview of his forthcoming book on preaching Old Testament poetry and reflects on valuable lessons learned from his mentor, Dr. Haddon Robinson, particularly the importance of character and demeanor in preaching. Join Mike and Dr. Mathewson for an informative session that blends practical advice with heartfelt reflections on the art of preaching.

$110 will sponsor a Ugandan Expositor : https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

Recommended episodes to learn from other students of Haddon Robinson:

Dr Alan Stoddard: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/sermon-based-small-groups-alan-stoddard

Dr John Whittaker: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/every-sermon-should-have-a-purpose-and-a-point-with-john-whittaker

Dr Matthew Kim is the director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/preaching-through-tension-and-division-with-matthew-kim-paul-hoffman-and-mike-neglia

https://2guysandariver.com/ - The fly fishing podcast on which Steve is a co-host

Steve Mathewson is the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He has served in pastoral ministry for the past 38 years in both Montana and Illinois. He is a graduate of Multnomah University (Th.B.), Western Seminary, (M.A. in Old Testament), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (D.Min. in Preaching), and Stellenbosch University (Ph.D. in Biblical Hebrew). He has written several books, including The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative, Preaching the Four Gospels with Confidence, and Risen: Fifty Reasons why the Resurrection Changed Everything. Steve and his wife, Priscilla, have four children and eleven grandchildren. In his spare time, Steve enjoys fly fishing for trout.

https://www.westernseminary.edu/academics/advanced-degrees/doctor-of-ministry-dmin - The Doctor of Ministry program which Steve directs at Western Seminary

Steve's Books:

• Joshua and Judges in The People's Bible Commentary (Bible Reading Fellowship, 2003)

• Preaching the Hard Words of Jesus (Hendrickson, 2013)

• Preaching the Four Gospels with Confidence (Hendrickson, 2013)

• RISEN: Fifty Reasons Why the Resurrection Changed Everything (Baker, 2013)

• The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative (Baker Academic, 2021; 2nd edition)

• The Art of Preaching Old Testament Poetry (Baker Academic--release date is December 2024)

• The Fly Fisher's Book of Lists (co-author; Big Snowy Media, 2017)

CLICK HERE to give to the Uganda Expositors Collective Conference

The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

Preaching about money can be hard, preaching with a speech impediment can be harder. In this conversation with Mike, Will Basset from Ridgeway Community Church speaks about how the power of God and trusting in His Word is the key to each of these situations. Will shares his first preaching experience, which was challenging due to his stammer, and how he overcame it with faith and support from his wife. They discuss the importance of embracing one's weaknesses, relying on God's strength, and the transformation that comes from this reliance. Will emphasizes the significance of starting sermon preparation early, incorporating personal stories, and the role of prayer in sermon preparation. They also explore the topic of preaching about money and how to address it confidently and biblically. The conversation concludes with Will's aspiration to preach with a sense of God's presence and his desire to teach theology and doctrine in a way that excites people.

Summary

- Mike and Will discuss the challenges and growth that come with preaching with a speech impediment.

- Will shares his first sermon experience and how it influenced his journey as a preacher.

- The importance of embracing weaknesses and relying on God's strength.

- Strategies for effective sermon preparation, including starting early and incorporating personal stories.

- The critical role of prayer in sermon preparation.

- Insights on preaching about money confidently and biblically.

- Will's goals for future preaching, focusing on teaching theology and doctrine in an engaging way and experiencing God's presence in preaching.

Key Quotes

- "If you desire the fire, then weakness is the way."

- "Be bold and authoritative in what the Bible is bold and authoritative about."

- "Every preacher desires power, and that power only comes from Jesus."

Will Bassett is the Pastor of Ridgeway Community Church in Didcot. He loves being a husband to Sarah and a dad to Grace, with another child on the way!

Prior to serving at Ridgeway, Will was a pastor in South Africa and frequently preached in churches across the UK.

He received his training at Moorlands Bible College and completed his Masters in Theology at Union School of Theology in South Wales. Will is deeply committed to being an Acts 6:4 Pastor and aims for Ridgeway to be an Acts 2:42 and Rev 7:9-12 church, striving for Acts 2:43-47 results.

He is a passionate Welshman, sports fan, gym-goer, movie watcher, book reader, coffee-drinker and a big food lover!

Links:

Church YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ridgewayccd

Money Series we mention on episode: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM88i7tehzeWauiYcq7aPjzJ1qBxHJ7-T

Church Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4GdBiRczhnuzqqudZuPbUs?si=8611e7a7032c4de7

Weekly 6-day devotionals authored by Will: https://substack.com/@pastorwillbassett?utm_source=profile-page

Recommended Episodes:

Shawn Stone on Speech Impediments, Insecurities and the Holy Spirit : https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/episode-56-speech-impediments-insecurities-and-the-holy-spirit

Jeff Figgs on Speech Impediments, Introversion and the Call of God: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/episode-57-speech-impediments-introversion-and-the-call-of-god

CLICK HERE to give to the Uganda Expositors Collective Conference

The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

In this episode of Expositors Collective, recorded at the "Pizza and Preaching" night in Santa Maria, California, Mike Neglia gave an interactive talk about the essential practice of studying a Bible passage and crafting an effective sermon outline. Our discussion covers:

• Hermeneutics: Understanding the science and art of Biblical interpretation.

• Study Techniques: Discovering the meaning of a passage through repeated readings, thoughtful questioning, and contextual understanding.

• Contextual Familiarity: The importance of understanding the larger context before diving into specific verses.

• Application: How to thoughtfully apply the passage to your life and your congregation.

• Personal Reflection: Emphasizing the overlap between the preacher's life and their message.

• Expositional Preaching: The benefits of preaching through books of the Bible verse-by-verse.

• Creating an Outline: Organizing thoughts into a coherent outline and crafting a memorable thesis statement.

"For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel." Ezra 7:10

Key Points Discussed:

1. Hermeneutics and Initial Study:

- The importance of understanding the Bible's message through repeated encounters and contextual analysis.

- Tools for Bible study, including different translations and the sections before and after the passage.

2. Context and Application:

- Brooding over the passage to understand its relevance to the preacher, the culture, and the congregation.

- Internalizing the message through prayer and thoughtful reflection.

3. Communication of the Message:

- The goal of clear and effective communication, avoiding hidden messages or new interpretations.

- The role of commentaries and free online resources such as EnduringWord.com and BlueLetterBible.org.

4. Practical Preaching Tips:

- Personal engagement with the text and the concept of the "Hermeneutic of Obedience".

- Ensuring the message impacts the preacher's life as well as the congregation's.

5. Expositional Bible Teaching:

- The advantages of the "Lectio Continua" method.

- Addressing all scripture and not shying away from difficult sections.

6. Creating an Outline:

- Organizing thoughts into a clear and focused outline.

- The importance of a single, memorable thesis statement.

- Practical example of a sermon outline with a big idea and main points.

Conclusion:

The episode concludes with tips on crafting engaging introductions and effective conclusions for sermons.

---

Links and Resources:

- [EnduringWord.com](https://www.enduringword.com)

- [BlueLetterBible.org](https://www.blueletterbible.org)

- [WalkingwithGiants.net](https://www.walkingwithgiants.net)

CLICK HERE to give to the Uganda Expositors Collective Conference

The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

Click here to support Expositors Collective