J. Josh Smith - Preaching for a Verdict: Recovering the Role of Exhortation

Exhortations to believe and obey the Word of God saturate the Scriptures. How then is it that exhortation is so often absent from our preaching? Josh Smith makes a compelling argument that exhortation must accompany our exposition and application. This is not an option. It is a must! This book is baptized in Scripture, convincing in its argument, and practical in its instruction. We have needed a book like this. I am glad we now have one.

Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Many preachers mistakenly view the endgame of the sermon to be application. In Preaching for a Verdict, Josh Smith reminds us of an important biblical point often overlooked today in preaching: the need for exhortation. Preachers are under mandate from God to call people to respond to the text. The sermon is not complete without this dynamic. This book fills the void in the literature on preaching by providing every preacher with a biblical and theological foundation for exhortation, followed by practical models of how to put it into practice. Take up and read!

David L. Allen, distinguished professor of preaching, dean, School of Preaching, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

J. Josh Smith is one of his generations leading preachers and, in this book, has touched on a topic many preachers need to hear. What is most helpful about this book is the theological and practical clarity he brings to an aspect of preaching often overlooked or misunderstood. If you preach, you should read this book.

Jason G. Duesing, provost and associate professor of historical theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

In every sermon the preacher should present the gospel of Jesus Christ and invite lost people to repent of sin, believe savingly in Jesus and receive him as Lord and Savior then and there. The gospel demands a response! Thats why Im grateful for Josh Smiths new book, Preaching for a Verdict. Josh is a veteran preacher with a keen mind and a Spirit-filled heart. While avoiding manipulation, he encourages biblical exhortation. This book is a breath of fresh air for every gospel preacher. I highly recommend it.

Steve Gaines, senior pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN, and former president, the Southern Baptist Convention

Pastors ought to be calling people to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ rather than just disseminating biblical knowledge. Joshs book makes a compelling, biblical argument as to why that is the case and gives practical ways to make effective exhortation part of your preaching. Any pastor would benefit from putting Preaching for a Verdict into action.

Robby Gallaty, senior pastor, Long Hollow Baptist Church, Hendersonville, TN

The verdict is in! This new book by Josh Smith is a needed call in this generation to join Peter with many other words in calling people to respond to the gospel message. Read it and reap and you will find yourself... preaching for a verdict.

O. S. Hawkins, president and chief executive officer, Guidestone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention

I love to study preaching and my spiritual gift is exhortation, Josh Smith speaks right from his heart to ours. His sermons illustrating exhortation and their personal appeal in the gospel are worth more than the price of the book. This book is rich for any preacher or teacher.

Johnny Hunt, senior vice president of evangelism and leadership, North American Mission Board, pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA, and former president, the Southern Baptist Convention

How foolish would it be for a lovestruck young man to purchase an expensive diamond ring, get down on one knee before his beloved, declare his love for her, explain all the reasons he delights in her, present a litany of benefits and blessings of the two of them spending their lives together, and yet never ask the question, Will you marry me? Josh Smith rightly believes such an absurdity is escalated when it comes to preaching the gospel. To declare the wonders and riches of Gods truth to both believers and unbelievers without exhorting them to decide rightly for it is an inexcusable irony and a perversion of preaching. Preacher, read and heed his words if you truly desire to be the living mouthpiece of the Divine Exhorter.

Jim Shaddix, W. A. Criswell Professor of Expository Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

In the 2,000 year history of Christian instruction on preaching, there has been a shift in focus; a significant shift away from exhortation and toward application. The latter is essential of course, but so is the former! Ive come to believe that everything we say in a sermon can fall broadly under the categories of explanation and exhortation. We say what the text says through explanation, illustration, and argumentation; we encourage people to respond with exhortation and application. My thinking on this has been shaped by conversations with Josh. And, Im grateful.

Steven Smith, pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, AR, and professor of preaching and pastoral ministry, senior preaching fellow, Spurgeon Library, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

If you were trained as a preacheras I wasto develop your sermon text by means of the classic tripartite division of explanation, illustration, and application, then you need to have your education in homiletics developedas I didby reading this book. Josh Smith will persuade you that biblical preaching requires exhortation to be added to that homiletical triad.

Donald S. Whitney, professor of biblical spirituality, associate dean, School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Preaching for a Verdict

Copyright 2019 by Josh Smith

Published by B&H Academic

Nashville, Tennessee

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4627-8124-9

Dewey Decimal Classification: 251

Subject Heading: PREACHING / EVANGELISTIC SERMONS / SERMONS

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations have been taken from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). ESV Text Edition: 2016. Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The web addresses referenced in this book were live and correct at the time of the books publication but may be subject to change.

Cover design by Darren Welch.

Printed in the United States of America

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BTH

For my father, Bailey Smith,
who always preached for a verdict.

P reaching, like any skill, takes a lot of practice. But preaching, unlike many skills, is best practiced in front of a live audience. This means, that in order to grow as a preacher, some church has to be patient and gracious enough to let you learn in front of them. For me, that church was MacArthur Blvd Baptist Church. For over eleven years they graciously and patiently encouraged me in my preaching. To that faith-family, I love you and am deeply grateful for you. May God bless you for your kindness and may no one ever again hear the first sermons I preached there. Now that task has been given to wonderful people of Prince Ave Baptist Church. I cannot express how much I love you and love being your pastor. Thank you for loving me and my family so well.