Journal: Southeastern Theological Review
Volume: STR 14:1 (Spring 2023)
Article: Pastoral Necessity Of Homiletical Application
Author: Clay Jones

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Pastoral Necessity Of Homiletical Application

Clay Jones

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Senior Pastor at Central Baptist Church, Gaffney, SC

Abstract: This work combines Scripture’s applicative emphasis and preaching’s pastoral nature to answer the question, “What are the pastoral implications of homiletical application?” The first section, “Pew Observations,” surveys the pastor through the congregation’s lens to determine his impact on their obedience to the sermon’s exhortations. This section includes two subcategories that promote textually faithful, grace-driven, and pastorally applied sermon applications. The second section, “Pulpit Observations,” reverses the order by observing the audience through the preacher’s lens to develop contextually localized applications. With the lens still intact, the pastor performs a self-examination to discover his biases and background to avoid imposing himself on the biblical text and his audience through the applications he provides.

Key Words: contextualization, ethos, exegesis, grace-driven application, sermon application, textual application, pastoral,

Scripture repetitively insists that true understanding results in obedience. Moses commands Israel’s priests and elders, “Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law” (Deut 31:12 ESV). Jesus says to his disciples, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17). The theme continues in the apostolic age. Paul states, “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified” (Rom 2:13).

Scripture’s consistent emphasis on applying its truths supports sermon application’s necessity. Late and contemporary preachers voice their approval of the previous claim through their statements on homiletical application. William Perkins says that preaching involves reading the text, explaining its meaning, gathering doctrines, and “if the preaching is suitably gifted, applying the doctrines thus explained to the life and practice

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of the congregation in straightforward, plain speech.”1 John Broadus claims that “application in a sermon is not merely an appendage to the discussion, or a subordinate part of it, but is the main thing to be done.”