Application at the Heart of Preaching

I love this quotation from Abraham Kuyper, quoted by Pastor Doug Wilson.

"Therefore, a long exposition of facts or propositions with a short application is in conflict with the nature of the sermon. The application must not be the dinghy behind the ship. Rather, the purpose of the sermon is really in the application. The whole service of the Word centers on the edification and building up of the congregation. The service is not like a brick factory where the bricks are baked and then piled up for would-be buyers to come and pick them up; the service is more like using the bricks that have been prepared for building" (Kuyper, Our Worship, p. 201).