PUTTING AN END TO WORSHIP WARS - Elmer Towns

By the end of the sermon, most of the congregation feels like they have a better
understanding of the Scriptures in general and the passage studied in particular. Looking over
the notes made in their note books and words highlighted in their Bible, they are impressed with
the simplicity of the Word. Yet deep down inside, their appreciation for their pastor grows.
They understand the Word has once again been "rightly divided" because of the gifted teaching
ministry of their pastor. Although the service has ended, the study has only begun. Many will
use this morning's sermon notes as the basis for their personal Bible study in the coming week.
Others will use the sermon notes they anticipate collecting as they return to study the Scriptures
together in the evening service.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE BIBLE EXPOSITIONAL CHURCH?
There is no question as to the mission and purpose of Bible Expositional Churches in the
minds of those leading these ministries. They exists to equip believers for the work of the
ministry. This is accomplished primarily through the systematic expositional preaching and
teaching of the Scriptures. Describing the focus of his ministry, one pastor of a Bible
Expositional Church writes,
But every meeting held in the church building has been aimed at the instruction, training
or worship of Christians together. Our entire Sunday School is set up to equip the saints, of all
ages, to do the work of the ministry. The work of expounding and applying the Scriptures begins
with the pulpit and is continued in every class, in every gathering and in many of the homes of
Christians. Stress is laid upon confronting life as it is really lived with the insights and
viewpoints of Scripture and drawing upon the resurrection power of an ever-present Lord. 1
Pastor/teachers of Bible Expositional Churches cite various biblical precedents for
their chosen ministry emphasis. Paul claimed for his own ministry, "I have not shunned to
declare to you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). In his final epistle, Paul urged Timothy
to "Preach the Word" (2 Tim. 4:2). In the Old Testament, Ezra and the teaching priests "read
distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and gave the sense, and helped them to understand
the reading" (Neh. 8:8) are sometimes cited as justification for this ministry model. But most
involved in this approach to worship cite Ephesians 4 as the basis for their job description. There
pastor/teachers are viewed as gifts from God to the church "for the equipping of the saints for the
work of ministry" (Eph. 4:12).
Bible Expositional churches are characterized by people who know and live by the Word
of God. A disciple must continue in the Word of God (John 8:31). They recognize and
emphasize the importance of the Bible in the Christian life beginning with salvation. Salvation
involves the intellect, emotions and will. For a person to be saved, he must know the Gospel
content, feel the conviction of sin and love of God, then respond by an act of the will. Because
he must know the content of the Gospel, Expositional Churches develop a strategy for teaching
the Bible.
Expositional Churches realize the power of an educated disciple. The effectiveness of a
worker is in direct proportion to his education. Some workers are not successful because they