Haddon W. Robinson's instructions for developing and delivering expository messages has strengths and weaknesses, though more strengths than weaknesses. The latter manifests itself primarily in that Robinson has lain out a method that is logical, sequential, and easily followed. As such, it readily lends itself to mechanical construction and delivery. Throughout the book, therefore, Robinson tries to offer advice on how to avoid mechanically delivering or constructing a sermon or expository message.
Perhaps the best advice offered is on putting fire into the sermon (163) by directly addressing a need. Robinson quotes Leslie J. Tizard, "Whoever will become a preacher must feel the needs of men until it becomes an obsession of his soul." With all the mechanisms for outlining and writing an expository message, one will still fail at delivering an exposition of Scripture unless one uses it to meet a need. Mahatma Ghandi once stated that a loving God wouldn't appear to a starving man as anything but food. People all have needs, and unless that particular need is met the person will not listen. In fact, if the preacher does not have a burden for the spiritual needs of others, he may as well find a different line of work, because his preaching will be a waste of time. As Paul said:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1 2)
The strength in Robinson's method is principally in that it teaches what the the preacher probably was not taught in public school: how to write. The skill of writing is closely related to the skill of thinking, requiring logic, order, and knowledge. All these take time to learn. As tax supported schools lose...