The Benefits & Practice of Expository Preaching (Part 2)
In this follow-up episode, your host Pastor Kent Dresdow is joined again by Jeremy and Matt to continue their discussion on expository preaching.Building on their previous conversation about the definition and biblical foundation of expository preaching, this episode delves into its practical application and profound benefits for the average churchgoer. The guys address common misunderstandings, clarifying that expository preaching doesn't always mean a strict verse-by-verse approach, but rather letting the structure and flow of the biblical text set the pace—whether it's by scene, pericope, stanza, or argument.Key discussion points and benefits highlighted include:God sets the agenda, not the preacher: Ensuring the sermon's message is derived directly from Scripture.Addressing hard topics: Expository preaching naturally leads to confronting difficult subjects that might otherwise be avoided.Balanced spiritual diet: Over time, listeners receive comprehensive teaching across the breadth of God's Word.Empowering the listener: People learn to understand the context of Scripture and feed on it themselves, becoming less dependent on the preacher.Addressing unfelt needs: The Word speaks to areas of life listeners may not even realize they need to address, often in profoundly surprising ways.The conversation also explores the role of "text-topical" preaching, where specific topics are addressed directly from relevant biblical passages. Finally, the team distinguishes between preaching, teaching, and dialogue, explaining how the principles of exposition extend beyond the Sunday pulpit into smaller group settings and individual discipleship, always with the aim of letting Christ speak through His Word to mature His people.This episode underscores that faithful proclamation of the Word is alive, active, and capable of converting souls and sanctifying saints, moving listeners from merely hearing a man to truly hearing from God.
--------
29:59
--------
29:59
What is Expository Preaching? (Part 1)
In this episode, your host Pastor Kent is joined by Matt and Jeremy for an in-depth discussion on expository preaching.The conversation begins by defining expository preaching, emphasizing how it ensures the sermon's shape and emphasis are solely derived from the biblical text. They explore the historical and biblical mandate for this approach, drawing from significant passages and examples:2 Timothy 3:16-17 & 4:2: Highlighting Paul's charge to Timothy to "preach the word" and the divine inspiration and profitability of Scripture.1 Timothy 4:13: Underscoring the importance of devoting oneself to the public reading, exhortation, and teaching of the Word.Nehemiah 8: Examining Ezra's public reading and explanation of the Law, demonstrating an Old Testament example of exposition leading to understanding, worship, and obedience.Luke 24:45-47: Discussing how Jesus himself, post-resurrection, opened the minds of his disciples to understand how all the Scriptures speak of him, reinforcing Christ-centered preaching.The discussion also clarifies what expository preaching is not, dispelling misconceptions about verse-by-verse constraints while maintaining a focus on the text's intended meaning. The speakers emphasize that the goal is not merely intellectual understanding but ultimately to lead listeners to worship, obedience, and a deeper grasp of Christ as revealed throughout the entire Bible. The episode concludes by portraying the Sunday service as a "kitchen table" where Christ feeds his people through the faithful proclamation of his Word, strengthening them for the week ahead.This conversation sets the stage for future episodes, particularly focusing on the practical benefits and applications of expository preaching in the life of believers and the church.
--------
27:58
--------
27:58
Q&A: Relationships, Redemption, and Repentance (Part 2)
Questions Addressed in This Episode:At the GFG, why no dunk tank? Are you a chicken?Can we bring other staff onto the podcast in the future?Is it inherently sinful to end a friendship or should there be a sort of default attempt to reconcile and reconnect?If heaven is perfect and without sin, how could Satan, before creation, have had pride to want to be God and fall away and be thrown out with the other fallen angels of heaven?Please explain faith and repentance and how they relate to each other.Episode Summary:In this Part 2 episode of afterWord, Matt and Jeremy continue their discussion of questions submitted during the Great Family Gathering. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from lighthearted reflections on past church events and future podcast plans to deeper theological and practical matters. You'll hear insights on navigating complex friendships, understanding the biblical account of Satan's fall, and clarifying the essential relationship between faith and repentance in salvation. This episode aims to provide thoughtful, grounded perspectives on questions that matter in both life and ministry.
--------
31:33
--------
31:33
Q&A: Dad Jokes, Fatherly Wisdom, Bible Translations, Praying for the Lost, and Unbeliever Prayer (Part 1)
In this afterWord Q&A episode, Pastors Kent, Matt, and Jeremy respond to five thoughtful questions submitted during NorthCreek’s Great Family Gathering. Their conversation ranges from lighthearted to deeply theological as they address: 1. What are your best dad jokes? 2. What is a moment or conviction from your dad that has stayed with you? 3. Does it matter which Bible translation you use? 4. How should we pray for the unsaved? 5. Does God hear the prayers of the unsaved?With Scripture and pastoral insight, the team reflects on the legacy of faithful fathers, discusses how translation choices shape understanding, and offers a biblical framework for prayer—especially on behalf of those who don’t yet believe.Scriptures referenced include Philippians 2:3–4, John 9:31, Jonah 1, and 1 Kings 21.Speaker: Pastor Kent Dresdow with Pastors Matt and JeremySeries: afterWord PodcastTopic: Fatherhood, Bible Translation, Salvation, Prayer
--------
28:42
--------
28:42
What Biblical Meditation Looks Like in Real Life
In this companion episode to “Why Biblical Meditation Might Be the Discipline You’re Missing,” Pastors Kent, Matt, and Jeremy return to explore how the discipline of meditation becomes a lived reality. Drawing from Job 31, Psalm 139, and Psalm 19, they unpack what it means to dwell on God’s Word in everyday rhythms—through songs, sermons, situations, and personal sin.You’ll hear how biblical meditation moves truth from the page to the heart, shaping affections and guiding the will. Whether it’s in a quiet moment after a sermon, a walk under the stars, or a conviction during daily life, this episode shows how Scripture becomes worship, and reflection becomes transformation.Come be encouraged to deepen your practice—not just to read the Word, but to carry it with you, delight in it, and let it change you from the inside out.
The afterWord podcast exists to carry biblical conversations beyond the pulpit and classroom. Hosted by NorthCreek Church in Walnut Creek, CA, the podcast offers a space to reflect on sermons, theology, and interviews with guest speakers—bringing those insights to a wider audience for deeper, ongoing engagement. Regularly featuring Kent Dresdow, NorthCreek’s lead pastor, afterWord invites listeners into thoughtful, Christ-centered discussions rooted in Scripture and shaped by the life of the local church.
USA