8 Hours or Less

Without application, a preacher simply swings blindly, hoping that the ball of application will hit the bat of exposition. Home runs are more frequently hit when the batter sees the ball before swinging.

By phrasing the application’s instruction with the key terms of the explanation, preachers help listeners not only understand why they were listening to the explanation but also connect the instruction of the preacher with the authority of Scripture.

Preachers may protest, “But I assume my people understand they must base their efforts on faith and repentance.” Why should we assume listeners will understand what we rarely say, what the structure of our communication contradicts, and what their own nature denies? Can we not as preachers confess that even we feel holier when our devotions last lo