Pulpit Preparation
Last year in April, I was quarantined at home due to COVID concerns. In the early part of this year, I was at home recovering from back surgery. I did not have the opportunity to preach although I prepared several messages for future series. Preparing outlines and manuscripts for future sermons is not the same as being prepared to step into the pulpit at any moment. When the last words are typed, the sermon is not ready as I must contemplate, meditate, adjust, and finesse what I want to say and have it settled in my mind. Too often it may not sound as if there is this much preparation, but I assure you it is quite time-consuming. In 20 years behind this pulpit, I have never preached a spur-of-the-moment sermon.
Some years ago, I heard a pastor explain the different types of sermons. He indicated there are times when he would stand to preach that he did not need to study or prepare. He claimed the Holy Spirit would inspire him as needed and the sermon would flow from the Spirit through Him. I recognize there are times we must speak spontaneously as Peter encourages us to be ready to answer those who inquire about our faith (1 Peter 3:15). I can also imagine Paul the missionary probably did not carry a suitcase filled with sermon manuscripts for every occasion. Yet I believe spontaneous preaching should never be the normal course for a pastor in the pulpit of his church.
In the Forum Class, I answer questions on many Bible topics without preparation but rarely is any of it organized in a structured format that fits the description of a sermon. There are some with highly organized brains that may speak extemporaneously, but I have never claimed to have such a gift. There are days I sit at my desk preparing a new sermon and thoughts flow quickly in rapid succession. The sermon goes down in minimum time. This is not normal and most require hours of reading and sifting information and organizing to bring the message to you. I admire the gift in others, but I am content to be the plodding preacher. My days at home recovering were not vacation days. When able, they were spent plowing and painstakingly hoeing the rows of future sermons. Precisely because I am not spontaneous, I must work ahead to be ready for unusual occurrences that may interrupt study time.
I believe a preacher might be able to fake his way through a few simple subjects but eventually, lack of study will show up in the growth of his people. Paul encouraged Timothy to read and meditate on doctrine and scripture. He would profit from it and so would those who heard (1 Timothy 4:13-16). I am most pleased when I hear that what we do in Bible exposition at Berean is not common among area churches. I am pleased for us that we try to give a good in-depth analysis of scripture, while I am displeased that others receive only a few Christian platitudes that are the milk of the word and not conducive to making them skillful in the word of righteousness (Hebrews 5:12-14). This explains the lack of holiness and sanctification among most Christians.
None of this I write is to applaud me. The Lord knows I have much to learn and have not attained the stature of many of my peers. I write to encourage you to make knowledge of every Bible subject your quest. Spend the necessary time. Our dearly departed Brother Lew often said, “Fake it until you make it.” He was not talking about the Bible! If I can assist in your spiritual journey, praise God for allowing me to have a part. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John v. 4).
Pastor V. Mark Smith