Jonah: It’s clear to me that sermons should be biblically expository (bible passages). Paul urged Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 to “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” The emphasis here is on the Word. Expository preaching ensures that the entirety of God’s Word is being covered, and not just the parts that we find palatable.

Carl: But I believe that while biblical exposition is essential, there is also a need for thematic preaching. Jesus Himself often taught in parables, which were thematic and contextual, addressing specific issues or questions of His time. We can see this in Matthew 13 where Jesus shares numerous parables like the sower, the mustard seed, and the yeast. Our sermons should be adaptable and resonate with the current needs and contexts of our congregations, drawing from the Bible to address modern issues.

Jonah: But while Jesus used parables, He was always rooted in the truth of Scripture. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” To truly illuminate our path, we need to dive deep into Scripture, verse by verse, chapter by chapter. This way, we don’t miss out on any of the truths God has for us.

Carl: I completely agree that the Bible should be our foundation. But thematic sermons can still be deeply rooted in Scripture. When Paul addressed the Athenians in Acts 17:22-31, he started with a thematic approach, discussing an altar to an unknown god. He then bridged that theme with the Gospel message. This shows that while it’s important to be rooted in the Bible, we can start with themes that resonate with the audience and lead them to Scripture.

Jonah: While Paul used that approach in Athens, he also spent significant time in places like Ephesus, teaching the word of God in depth, as in Acts 20:27 where he says, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” I worry that relying too heavily on it might lead to cherry-picking verses to fit the narrative of the sermon. The Bible warns in 2 Peter 3:16 about those who distort the Scriptures to their own destruction. Through expository preaching, we ensure that the whole counsel of God is presented in context.

Carl: It’s true that thematic sermons can sometimes risk being out of context. However, a well-prepared thematic sermon can provide comprehensive understanding too. Remember in Luke 24:27, it says, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he (Jesus) explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Jesus provided a thematic overview of the Scriptures, pointing to the central theme of redemption.

Jonah: However, there’s a risk that with thematic sermons, difficult or less popular topics in the Bible might be avoided. By preaching the Bible verse-by-verse, we ensure that even challenging topics are addressed, ensuring a well-rounded spiritual diet for the congregation.

Carl: It’s indeed essential to cover challenging topics, and a skilled preacher can address them in thematic sermons as well. In fact, thematic sermons can be an excellent way to address contemporary issues by connecting them to biblical principles. As Paul became all things to all people in 1 Corinthians 9:22, we too can use varied approaches to reach different audiences.

Jonah: My main contention is that a consistent diet of only thematic sermons might deprive believers of the depth of God’s Word. Ephesians 4:14 warns us, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching.” Expository preaching helps ground believers in the truth.

Carl: While I respect the depth and thoroughness of expository preaching, we must also remember the dynamic nature of the world we live in. As society changes and faces new challenges, shouldn’t we be flexible in our approach to preaching, drawing from relevant scriptures thematically to address these contemporary issues?

Jonah: I agree that we must address contemporary issues. But my concern is that if we focus solely on them, we might inadvertently stray from the foundational truths of Scripture. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, we’re instructed to keep God’s commandments in our hearts and to teach them diligently to our children. This implies a consistent and thorough understanding of the Word.

Carl: But isn’t it also important to meet people where they are? Jesus often met people’s immediate needs and concerns before teaching deeper spiritual truths. For instance, when feeding the five thousand as recorded in John 6, He addressed their physical hunger before delving into the deeper truth of Him being the Bread of Life.

Jonah: That’s a fair point. However, we also see in John 6:66 that many disciples turned away when the teachings got hard. If we always cater our sermons to what people want to hear, we risk not challenging them with the harder truths of the Bible. Paul warns in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 that a time will come when people won’t endure sound teaching but will seek teachers that suit their desires.

Carl: I’m not advocating for watering down the Gospel or avoiding hard truths. My point is that thematic preaching can be an effective tool to first engage and then delve deeper. It’s like casting a net wide to bring many in and then nourishing them with the depth of Scripture.

Jonah: However, I believe that a church’s regular congregation needs the consistency and depth of expository preaching. As Psalm 1:2-3 says, the blessed man’s “delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” We need that regular, deep immersion in God’s Word.

Our faith calls us to continuously seek wisdom and understanding. It’s vital for us, as Christians, to engage in these dialogues, always aiming to reflect God’s love and wisdom in our lives and the lives of those around us.