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5. Myths that promote poor preparation

I. Preparation indicates ministerial immaturity and inexperience

This is a popular myth promoted by lazy Preachers so that they can defend their ground. Frankly speaking as long as you have memorized the Bible it’s very easy to pick up a scripture verse, find correlating verses, put them together then call it a sermon and claim yourself matured and experienced. But as I told you before, such messages sound like a prematurely born baby.

II. Messages prepared in advanced are not from God

This is just another nonsense lazy Preachers use to defend their ground, or they accuse that Preachers who seek prior preparation lacks anointing. This is not true.

III. Preparation hinders the move of the Holy Spirit

Preparation never hinders the Spirit’s work if the Preacher is sensitive. One day I was preaching a well prepared sermon and suddenly the entire congregation was filled with the Holy Spirit and started praising God in tongues. I simply stopped preaching and allowed the Holy Spirit to take full control. Afterwards many testified how they were healed or had a fresh encounter with God that evening. I have eye witnessed God’s wonderful works in well prepared preaching sessions. It’s not preparation that hinders the Spirit. Insensitivity!

IV. Preparation is unnecessary – The Spirit will anoint me on time

Once our Homiletics Teacher told us,

“Anointing comes upon what you already have”.

The truth is that an effective preaching ministry needs both the divine and the human aspects. It’s a foolish thing to stand before the crowd empty expecting God to inspire you and fill you. God gives the illumination and the Preacher provides the presentation.

Let it be preaching, teaching or any other ministry. Everyone who serve people on God’s behalf are partners with God. You do your 50% of the work and God will do His 50% of the work. God is always faithful to fulfill His part – the fruit of your ministry depends on the factor whether you do your part faithfully.

Now I’m not telling the Holy Spirit will never prompt you to forget about the sermon you already have and preach something else. I have experienced this kind of leading several times and the Lord confirmed that it was His voice I heard, as people testify how they were touched by my (unplanned) sermon. However many Preachers abuse this principal to substitute the importance of preparation. It’s wrong!

V. Jesus and early Apostles did not prepare before preaching but attracted masses.

It’s true that Peter was not prepared when he preached a sermon that convicted 3000 people in the day of Pentecost and 5000 people on the next day. Bible doesn’t say Jesus prepared Himself prior to preaching which grabbed the attention of masses. But how can we compare the time we are living in right now with times of Jesus and Peter?

VI. Preparation indicates a lack of faith

Another myth loved by lazy Preachers. Psalms 81:10 is one of their favorite verses

‘…Open your mouth wide and I will fill it!? (NET)

The context of the Psalm reveals that this verse has nothing to do with preaching!

VII. The popular TV Preacher doesn’t prepare before preaching

Most of the popular Preachers who appear on TV nowadays deliver sermons without referring to notes. This doesn’t mean they are unprepared but the Holy Spirit is helping them – This type of Preacher gives a good deal of careful thought (beforehand) to the subject he would preach about and fills his heart and mind with the vital aspects of the message. This is called “inspirational preaching”. This style has it’s own weaknesses, however they are beyond the scope of this article.