I know some ‘mid-Acts-hyper-dispensational’ preachers who don’t study the Word of God anymore. They don’t get their sermons from a pre-made outline book like some denominational preachers I’ve met. They already know ‘the doctrine’ .... they’ve already been to the conferences .... they have often listened to their favorite ‘pastor’ (who is really a ‘bishop’ but refuses the ‘KJV’ and ‘Pauline’ title of the office) .... they give out ‘the message’ .... they have studied the chart. So they take a few minutes (maybe 10 or 15) on Saturday night before they go to bed to whip up an instant Sunday morning message. It’s not hard to do .... just come up with a topic, grab a few verses that seem to differ, contrast them, and you’re off and running. Don’t worry about the context. No one pays attention to it anyway. You can be done with your instant preparation in about the time it takes to sip a cup of hot bed-time tea.
The apostles of the Lord realized their responsibility in ministry, and delegated the service work to others:
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 6:1-4 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer,
and to the ministry of the word.
Paul directed Timothy .... with a reminder of the judgment day when Christ returns with His kingdom .... to herald God’s word .... anytime .... anywhere .... to anyone:
2 Tim 4:1-2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
There is no replacement for good, ‘old-fashioned’ diligence .... exerting one’s self in labour:
2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Peter also said to make preparation .... which requires time ahead of time:
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Message preparation takes time, and lots of it. It requires discipline to study. Throwing something together for a fast, repackaged lecture is no substitute for solitute to read and think and listen to the verses from God.
Many ‘mid-Acts-ers’ I know have a very lax attitude toward service.
Personally, I prefer ‘home-made from scratch’ fresh food anytime to left-overs that you zap with instant heat and serve.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
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