Dr John Whittaker shares why expository preaching changes lives. He traces his journey from a shy teenager to his first sunrise-Easter sermon in 1985, reflects on Pastor Don’s topical, many-point approach - “like a log of bologna” you could cut anywhere - and explains why he came to believe the power for transformation lies in the text of Scripture itself. Drawing on Hebrews 4:12, John argues that the Word exposes and renews the heart, so the preacher’s task is to let the passage set the agenda.

John describes expository preaching as a practice where the theme, purpose and shape of the sermon are determined by the passage. His guiding motto is simple and workable: the nature of the text determines the shape of the sermon. Along the way he offers practical coaching on resisting topic-first sermons, finding the central theme of a message, and helping congregations grow in biblical literacy.

About Dr John Whittaker

John Whittaker is a disciple of Jesus and a Bible teacher whose goal is to provide what he calls “blue jeans theology” - theology for everyday life. He’s been a pastor and a church planter. He also taught at Boise Bible College full-time for 19 years, and still serves as an adjunct professor. One of his greatest joys in life is being a husband, father, and grandfather.

Currently, John is creating all sorts of online Bible teaching resources to help people learn and live the Bible. One key resource is The Listener’s Commentary (listenerscommentary.com), which provides clear, down-to-earth teaching through the books of the New Testament. John loves seeing people come alive to the joy and transforming power of walking with Jesus in the midst of their everyday life.

The Listener’s Commentary: https://listenerscommentary.com

For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com

The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

Donate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

Preaching, says Heath Hardesty, should do more than explain a passage of Scripture - it should take listeners on a journey that awakens thirst and points them to the living water of Christ. In this session, recorded at Valley Community Church in Pleasanton, California, Hardesty unpacks how the “arc” and the “through-line” of expository preaching bring sermons into harmony with the larger story of redemption.

Drawing from John 7:37–39, he demonstrates how faithful exposition stirs a Spirit-given sense of need and satisfies the soul’s ache in the gospel. The teaching weaves together theology, cultural insight, and pastoral wisdom, offering a vision of preaching that is unified, Spirit-led, and Christ-centred.

About Heath Hardesty
Heath Hardesty serves as Lead Pastor of Valley Community Church in Pleasanton, CA, and is a founder of Inklings Coffee & Tea in the heart of downtown Pleasanton. He grew up in a blue-collar home and was a plumber’s apprentice in Colorado before becoming a pastor on the edge of Silicon Valley, where he, his wife, and their four children now reside. Heath holds degrees in literature, leadership, biblical studies, and theology from the University of Colorado Boulder and Western Seminary in Portland.

His forthcoming book, All Things Together: How Apprenticeship to Jesus Is the Way of Flourishing in a Fragmented World (with a foreword by Jon Tyson), will be released October 14, 2025.

Pre-Order Heath's Book Here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776336/all-things-together-by-heath-hardesty/

For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com

The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

Donate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

In this episode of the Expositors Collective podcast, Mike sit down with Mike Dente, lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Paris. Mike has served in France for decades, planting and pastoring in a thoroughly post-Christian European context.

Mike brings a thoughtful and pastoral lens to the challenges of preaching in today’s disenchanted world. Drawing from philosopher Charles Taylor, he reflects on the “disenchantment of the West” and how Protestantism may have contributed to it. Together, we explore what it means to be “enchanted,” how preachers can proclaim the death of Christ in a culture marked by scepticism, and how to show the beauty of Jesus even in the “ugly” passages of Scripture.

Along the way, Mike shares lessons learned from ministry in the European context, the emotional hardcore scene and offers practical questions that every preacher should ask as they prepare their messages.

This conversation is both deeply reflective and refreshingly practical - offering encouragement for those who want to faithfully communicate the wonder of Christ in a disenchanted age.

Steve Mathewson:
Sermon Introductions and Illustrations, Lessons learned from Haddon Robinson and Preaching the Old Testament

https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/sermon-introductions-and-illustrations-lessons-learned-from-haddon-robinson-and-preaching-the-old-testament

For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com

The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

Donate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

Alistair Begg - one of the most recognisable voices in expository preaching - sits down with Brian Brodersen for a candid conversation on decades of ministry, recent controversies, and the hope that outshines them all.

With characteristic warmth and clarity, Alistair reflects on God’s faithfulness, the dangers that lead to burnout, and why the free offer of the gospel must always be extended. He responds to the storm surrounding his advice to a grandmother, shares encouragement from gospel renewal in Scotland, and explains why some empty churches should stay that way.

You’ll also hear the story behind the viral “Man on the Middle Cross” clip, insights on the Calvary Chapel movement, and Brian’s reflections on discovering the grace of God afresh. Whether you’re leading a church or seeking to grow in steadfast faith, this conversation will strengthen your resolve to run the race to the end.

Recommended episodes:
Danny Hyde on Long Obedience in the Same Location: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/long-obedience-in-the-same-location-danny-hyde
Tim Chaddick on the Preachers Priorities: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/the-preachers-priorities-study-spirit-and-sustainability

Bryan Stupar on Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/jesus-homer-and-the-necessity-of-mentoring-the-next-generation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=592BE5w8Y7o

Join us August 22–23 at Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg for the next

Expositors Collective Training Weekend — a two-day, interactive event

designed to equip and encourage Bible teachers and preachers of all

experience levels.

📖 Learn from seasoned teachers, engage in hands-on coaching, and grow

in your calling to teach God’s Word with clarity and confidence.

🎙 Featuring:

Mike Neglia · Dr. Alan Stoddard · Brian Kelly

Dr. John

Whittaker · Pilgrim Benham · Ryan Marr · Brian Brodersen

✅ Teaching, training, and practical tools you can use right away.

🔗 Register now at [expositorscollective.com]

The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

Donate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

In these interactive seminars, attendees will meet in groups and build ongoing relationships. Our next training weekend will be held at Calvary Chapel St Petersburg.

8900 US Hwy 19 N, Pinellas Park, Florida 33782August 22-23, 2025

Calvary Chapel St Petersburg

Register here: https://expositorscollective.regfox.com/expositors-st-petersburg

In this in-person conversation between friends, Mike Neglia and Bryan Kelly – lead pastor of WestChurch in Bradenton, Florida, host of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, and long-time church planter – mix plenty of laughs with rich wisdom for aspiring preachers and church planters.

They recall a trip to Uganda from last year, for the Expositors Collective conference, hosted at Calvary Chapel Kampala, and they reflect on the lessons it taught them about preaching, pastoring, and cross-cultural ministry. Bryan shares one of his brilliant ideas – livestreaming himself writing a sermon – which Mike thinks is actually “the dumbest idea ever.” Along the way, they unpack “the forbidden phrase” (“as we all know…”) and why it can unintentionally put up barriers for people who are new to the Bible.

The conversation covers explaining Scripture clearly, remembering the variety of people present in every congregation, and drawing on William Perkins’ (1558–1602) classic seven categories of hearers. They also explore how pastoring is both a God-given gift and a skill that can be developed, why church planting can be full of hard work yet surprising joy, and how a spin class can be a lot like attending church for the first time.

Full of humour, friendship, and practical insights, this episode is an encouraging listen for anyone committed to faithfully preaching God’s Word and shepherding God’s people.

Links:
Raymond Bukenya episode: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/the-urgent-need-for-mentorship-in-ministry
Ray Bentley episode : https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/episode-18-the-gift-of-healing-the-empowering-of-the-holy-spirit-and-consecutive-bible-teaching
Cultivate Podcast: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/cultivate-church-planting

—————

Join us August 22–23 at Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg for the next

Expositors Collective Training Weekend — a two-day, interactive event

designed to equip and encourage Bible teachers and preachers of all

experience levels.

📖 Learn from seasoned teachers, engage in hands-on coaching, and grow

in your calling to teach God’s Word with clarity and confidence.

🎙 Featuring:

Mike Neglia · Dr. Alan Stoddard · Brian Kelly

Dr. John

Whittaker · Pilgrim Benham · Ryan Marr · Brian Brodersen

✅ Teaching, training, and practical tools you can use right away.

🔗 Register now at [expositorscollective.com]

The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

Donate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

What if the whole story of the Bible could be told through four mountains?

In this conversation, Mike speaks with theologian and pastor Michael Niebauer about his new book, Four Mountains: Encountering God in the Bible from Eden to Zion. They explore how the geography of Eden, Sinai, Tabor, and Zion can guide readers toward a deeper understanding of Scripture—and a more faithful approach to preaching it.

Michael reflects on his own development as a preacher, the discipline of lectionary-based sermons, and the formative role of repetition, feedback, and theological tradition. He outlines how early Christian exegesis, especially the writings of figures like Ephrem the Syrian, shaped his thinking and helped him connect the Old and New Testaments with fresh clarity.

Other highlights include:

• Why Eden was probably a mountain
• How to preach biblical symbolism without confusing your listeners
• The Bible as unapologetically Trinitarian
• Balancing historical context with spiritual reading
• Ministry to the elderly through Heritage Mission
• And why every sermon should lead to love of God and neighbour

Whether you're a seasoned preacher or simply looking for new ways to read the Bible, this episode offers theological insight and practical encouragement.

Michael Niebauer is an Anglican Pastor and Director of Heritage Mission, an initiative that trains leaders to start worship services in care facilities. He is the author of Four Mountains: Encountering God in the Bible from Eden to Zion and Virtuous Persuasion, a Christianity Today Book Award finalist and Outreach Magazine’s 2022 Missional Resource of the Year.

Resources Mentioned:

You can purchase Michael's book Four Mountains: Encountering God in the Bible from Eden to Zion here: https://lexhampress.com/expositors

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Join us August 22–23 at Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg for the next Expositors Collective Training Weekend — a two-day, interactive event designed to equip and encourage Bible teachers and preachers of all experience levels.

📖 Learn from seasoned teachers, engage in hands-on coaching, and grow in your calling to teach God’s Word with clarity and confidence.

🎙 Featuring:

Mike Neglia · Dr. Alan Stoddard · Brian Kelly

Dr. John Whittaker · Pilgrim Benham · Ryan Marr · Brian Brodersen

✅ Teaching, training, and practical tools you can use right away.

🔗 Register now at [expositorscollective.com]

The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/

Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

Donate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective