Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God working in our offices on sermon preparation to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom and handy with tools, whom we will appoint to this duty to the office of deacon. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word to the preparation of sermons which we will deliver on Sunday.” (Acts 6:1-4 ESV Re-Mix)
I saw this tweet last night from Steve McCoy and wanted to share it:
Acts 6 isn't about choosing servants so that the Apostles can spend 25 hrs a week in the study to prep for 1 sermon.
That is good stuff!
Many a preacher sees Acts 6 as not only an excuse but a command to spend most of the week preparing for their Sunday sermon(s). I have read many men piously talking about how many hours a week they spend in sermon preparation, as if it is some sort of badge of honor to spend 20, 30 or more hours every week reading about a couple of verses you are going to sermonize about on Sunday. If you read Acts 6 in context, what should be happening if you are not working a regular job and are not engaged in works of mercy is that you should spend all of your time out of the church and preaching the Gospel to the lost. You aren’t likely going to talk to many lost people while sitting at your desk looking through a half dozen commentaries to make sure you get just the right nuance in your sermon. Another great reason to read the Scriptures in context and read them for what they actually say, not what we assume they say.
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