From and Before God: A Practical Introduction to Expository Preaching (Michelen)

Imagine this scene. You are standing in the pulpit of your church preaching on a Sunday morning. Without your knowledge, the Lord Jesus himself is sitting in the last row, listening attentively to what you’re saying. How would this reality impact your preaching?

The truth is that this is no mere illustration: the Lord is present in His churches every Sunday, listening to the preaching of His Word.

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:17 that ministers are to preach “as from God and before God.” Those who preach God’s Word are commissioned by God to preach, and they do their preaching before God, for an audience of one.

This, according to Sugel Michelén, is the biblical foundation for expository preaching—preaching that draws out what is in the Word of God. In this work, Michelén, regarded as one of the best preachers in the Spanish-speaking church, makes a biblical case for expository preaching and models for readers how to prepare and preach as from and before God.

Table of Contents:
Part One: The Theological Anchor
1. God Has Spoken
2. God Speaks through His Written Word Today
3. God Commands Us to Preach His Word
Part Two: The Nature, Form, and Content of the Expository Sermon
4. What Is an Expository Sermon?
5. What Does It Mean to Preach?
6. Preaching in Dependence on the Holy Spirit
7. Christ and Him Crucified: The Center of Our Preaching
Part Three: Step-by-Step Preparation of an Expository Sermon
8. Choose the Passage
9. Study the Passage
10. Structure the Sermon
11. Prepare the Sermon
12. Apply the Sermon
13. Prepare the Introduction and Conclusion
14. Preach the Sermon “From and Before God”
Sample Sermon: God in the Dock (Exodus 17:1-17)

Author

Sugel Michelen (MTS) is senior pastor of Iglesia Biblica del Senor Jesucristo in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and a council member of The Gospel Coalition. He is regarded as one of the best preachers in Latin America, and has authored several books. Sugel and his wife, have three children

Endorsements

"Pastor Sugel Michelen is known in many places as an exceptional expository preacher. Especially throughout Latin America, his ministry has had a profound impact on many. Having read his new book on preaching, I now know why. Written with extraordinary clarity, this work is an outstanding resource for any preacher, whether new to the pulpit or a seasoned veteran. This volume is brimming with invaluable insights on the art and act of preaching making it a tremendous resource for all who proclaim the Word. Pick up a copy, read and meditate upon it and be extremely blessed as you do!" — Pastor Rob Ventura, Grace Community Baptist Church, North Providence, RI, co-author of A Portrait of Paul and Spiritual Warfare

“Sugel Michelen teaches us out of the overflow of his many years of faithful and fruitful ministry.” – D.A. Carson, author and New Testament professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“If you preach already, or would like to learn to preach, you need to read this book.” – Miguel Nunez, pastor at Iglesia Bautista Internacional in Santo Domingo

“This is a work that should guide an entire generation to gospel faithfulness.” – Bryan Chapell, pastor and author of Christ-Centered Preaching