EXPOSITORY OUTLINES

Our concluding chapter has been reserved for one or two "sample" expository outlines that may prove helpful as suggestions to inexperienced beginners. The first is drawn from the author's own store, and the second is that of Pastor F. E. Marsh, of Sunderland, England, which has come under the author's observation and affords a good illustration of another variety of the species.

The principle on which the first-named was obtained was that explained in the previous chapters. The synthetic reading of Romans led to certain discoveries, as follows: (1) That epistle contains a single theme, viz., the gift of God's righteousness to men. (2) This theme is developed along three main lines: its necessity, its nature, and its effect upon man. (3) Its effect upon man is developed again along three lines: his relations to God, his own experience, and his relations to others. (4) The last-named subdivision (his relations to others) covers chapters 12-16, and expands the idea socially, politically, and ecclesiastically.

Some time before this final thought was arrived at, the consideration of the epistle had already yielded material for several expository discourses, but it was conceived that still a good one of a very practical order lay imbedded, say, in chapters 13: 8 to 15: 7, where the inspired writer is dealing with the Christian in his church or ecclesiastical relations. A sample better in some respects might readily be given, but this is chosen because it lies at hand, and also because it is not a "stock" piece gotten up for the occasion, but such an one as lies upon the surface of the text, and which any young beginner might evolve on his own account with a little pains.

The theme decided on was this:

The Strong and the Weak, or the Christian's Debt to His Brother. Romans 13:8 to 15: 7.

1. We have here the command for Christians to love one another. 13:8-10.

2. The urgency for its observance. 11-14.

3. The particular call for its application (fellowshiping the weak). 14:1.

4. The description of the weak (conscientious scruples as to eating, and the observance of days). 14:2,5.

5. The way in which fellowship is to be shown: (a) by not judging them, 3-12; (b) by not putting a stumbling-block in their way, 13-19; (c) by edifying them, 20-23.

6. The motive in the premises (the example of Christ). 15:1-4.

7. The object in view (the glory of God). 5-7.

In developing division 5 it was shown (a) that we should not judge the weak brother, for the following reasons:

(1) God has received him. Verse 3,

(2) He is accountable to God only. Verse 4, first part.

(3) God can make him stand. Verse 4, last part.

(4) Each man must be fully persuaded in his own mind. Verse 5.

(5) The weak brother may be honoring and serving God even under the conditions named. Verse 6.

(6) Each one of us must give account of himself to God. Verses 10-12.

It was shown (b) that we put a stumbling block in the way of our weak brother by an undue insistence on our liberty (verses 14, 15), and that such insistence may itself become sin. 16-18.

Finally it was shown (c) that we edify one another by following after things which make for peace (verse 19), and that it makes for peace sometimes to control our zeal. Verse 22.

Of course it is almost vital to the be3t results of expository preaching that the people bring their Bibles to church, and use them more or less in following their minister. Frequently it is desirable for them to read the text aloud with him responsively, or in unison. A little gentle coaxing at first, preceded by private prayer, will get them to do both these things, bring their Bibles and read the text, while afterwards they will delight to do them. It will cause church-going and sermon-hearing to become a new and living experience to them. Young and old will like it, and sinners as well as saints.

But another almost necessity is to select a subject and treat it in such a way as to obviate as far as possible the turning over of the leaves or pages of the Bible during the progress of the exposition. The best plan is to limit the exposition, where you can, to the page or two just before the reader's eye. But if turning must be done, let it be on the principle of Edward Everett Hale's "Ten Times Ten" or "Lend-a-Hand" Society, i.e., forward and not backward. It is especially confusing and wearisome to a congregation to be turning pages backward, and then forward, and then backward again, and will not be relished as an innovation. Row with the tide.

In the outline now to follow there are leaves to turn, for it covers a whole epistle. And yet with a single (and perhaps unnecessary) exception, there is progress in each division. The hearers are stimulated by the thought of getting on, and that there is an end in sight. It might be styled;

The Character of the New Born.

What kind of persons are those who are born again? We have only to turn to the first epistle of John for the answer. Mark the words "born of him," or "born of God," which we have again and again in the epistle. We get seven characteristics of those who are begotten of God:

1. The people who are born of God are righteous. "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of him" (2:29). If I am not doing righteously, what evidence have I that I am born of Him?

2. Those born of God are an unsinning people. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" (2: 9). Sin is not the habit of life of the one who has been born again. The trend of his life is not in the old paths of sin.

3. Those who are born of God are an abiding people. "His seed abideth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (3: 9).

4. Those who are born of God are a loving people. "Every one that loveth ia born of God" (4: 7).

5. They are a believing people. "He that believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God' '(5:1). It is not merely that they say that Christ is Christ, but they know Him experimentally as the Christ in power.

6. Those who are born of God are an overcoming people. "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (5: 4). The evidence, therefore, of being born of God is victory over the world.

7. Those born of God are a preserved people. "Whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that was begotten of God keepeth him" (5:18, R. V.).

Those who have been born of God are kept by the power of God. These are the people who constitute the church of God, and they answer to everything that is said of those who are found faithful, and who escape the things that are coming on the world.

The author lingers over the closing word, for he is enamored of the theme and loath to leave it. No typewriting machine has ground out these pages for the press; the subject has been too sacred for other than his own pen. He covets the love of it for every fellow-member of the body of Christ. He sees the regeneration of the church in the general adoption of the plan. He sees the sanctification of the ministry. He sees a mighty quickening in the pews. He sees the worldwide revival for which a thousand hearts are praying. He sees the unmasking of a Christianized rationalism, and the utter rout of a rationalized Christianism. He sees the first thing in the world getting the first place in the world. He sees the solution of a score of civic problems. He sees the protection of vested rights against lawlessness, and the laborer receiving the due reward of his hire. He sees the oppressed set free; no longer

"Condemned by night, enchained by day,

     Drowned in the depths of grim despair;

While running brooks sing roundelay,

     And God's green fields are ev'ry where."

He sees the missionary treasuries repleted. He sees the hastening of the day when this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached as a witness to all nations,1 and when He who is our life shall appear, and we also shall appear together with Him in glory 2

O brethren of the ministry and the laity, get back to the Bible! Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. 3 Let us preach the preaching that God bids us.4 Diminish not a word.5 Let us be as His mouthpieces, nothing more, nothing less, taking forth the precious from the vile, 6 for who knoweth if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him?7

1 Matt. 24:14.

2 Col. 3-4.

3 Col. 3:16. 

4 Jonah3;2.

5 Jer. 26:2.

6 Jer. 15:19.

7 Joel2:14.