Preaching like a Lutheran - Bob Hiller

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Feb 3, 2026

Bob Hiller, pastor in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and preacher/author focused on law-and-gospel proclamation, joins to discuss preaching as handing over forgiveness. Short takes cover the Law vs Gospel distinction, text-bound expository practice, pastoral tone and care, weekly sermon craft, and who may pronounce absolution. Practical, pastoral, and unapologetically Christ-centered preaching topics.

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ANECDOTE

Humble Beginnings In Preaching

Bob's first sermons were rough: he used crude illustrations and heard he accused people too much.
That early bluntness taught him to preach God's words, not provoke or shame the congregation.

ADVICE

Let The Text Speak

Let the biblical text speak plainly and avoid over-qualifying clear gospel promises with 'but' or 'if'.
Trust the Holy Spirit to convict and comfort through the Word rather than your own qualifiers.

ANECDOTE

Shocking Style Backfired

Imitating aggressive celebrity preachers led Bob to shameful overreach where he insulted people rather than convicting them.
That experience taught him preaching must convict toward Christ, not merely berate or provoke for effect.

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In this episode of the Expositors Collective, Mike Neglia sits down with Pastor Bob Hiller to explore the essential distinction between preaching the Law and preaching the Gospel. Drawing from his experience at Community Lutheran Church, Bob discusses the preacher's primary task: to "hand over the goods" by actively proclaiming the forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus

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A Note on this Recording

This episode was originally recorded and released in December 2020 As you listen, you will notice references to the unique challenges of that time, including discussions regarding social distancing and masks. While the cultural context reflects the peak of the pandemic, the theological insights regarding homiletics and the proclamation of Christ remain as relevant today as ever.

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Episode Highlights

• Handing Over the Goods: Bob Hiller defines the core of the Gospel as the literal delivery of God's forgiveness to the listener.

• The Law and the Gospel: Understanding the functional difference between God’s requirements (the Law) and His gift of grace (the Gospel).

• Pastoral Perspective: Insights from Bob’s ministry at Community Lutheran Church in Escondido, California.

• Face-to-Face Proclamation: A friendly, deep-dive conversation on how to ensure Jesus is the centre of every message.

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Key Takeaways for Preachers

• Focus on Forgiveness: Preaching is not merely sharing information; it is the act of proclaiming the forgiveness of sins.

• Clarity in Mission: The goal of the expositor is to ensure the "goods" of the Gospel are clearly handed over to the congregation.

• Timeless Truths: Despite the time-bound nature of the original 2020 recording, the necessity of distinguishing between Law and Gospel is a foundational pillar of biblical preaching.

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