Our gospel meeting begins today! To help it be successful, you have to recognize your personal responsibility before God to be here for all the assemblies. Brady Cook will preach the truth but his effectiveness may be greatly hindered if we do not have enough interest to make this a good effort. What is required for us to have a successful meeting?
Purpose
The main purpose of a meeting is to evangelize. This meeting provides us with an opportunity to invite our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and strangers to hear the soul-saving gospel (Luke 19:10; Romans 1:14-17; 10:17; Ephesians 1:13). It also stimulates us towards good works, revives our first love, and helps to prevent us from becoming lukewarm in our service to God (Hebrews 10:23-24; Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Preparation
What would you think if your favorite team did not come prepared to play? You would be upset! How much more will the Lord be upset with us if we are not praying, inviting, and exhorting others to come this heavenly feast (Matthew 22:1-14)? This man has painstakingly prepared his lessons. We should be preparing our hearts to receive the word (James 1:21-22).
Presence
While your presence is encouraging to everyone, your absence would be demoralizing just like Titus’ absence saddened Paul (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). Members of the church are known to miss assemblies to play or attend ball games, entertain family members, go to a movie, or simply never plan to come. Will the Lord accept those excuses (Luke 14:18-20)? Unless you are sick or unavoidably have to work, you should be here or you will be missed because your seat is empty (1 Samuel 20:18). It is very encouraging to see brethren who plan their schedule around gospel meetings.
Participation
Please get here early to greet your brethren (there are several that plan to come from long distances) and possibly those from the community (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14). We are not here to be entertained (Psalm 27:4; 84:1-4, 10), but we are to be active participants in worship while God is the audience (John 4:23-24; Philippians 3:3; Psalm 29:2; Acts 17:23-25, 28). Come with enthusiasm, singing, praying, and receiving God’s word with great eagerness, trying to be a better Christian (Acts 17:11).
Presentation
He will preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified rather than using enticing words of man’s wisdom or eloquence of speech (1 Corinthians 2:1-4). He is not coming to tell us stories that will make us feel good about ourselves or tell jokes to entertain us, but instead he intends to prick our hearts and consciences with the sword of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12-13). His purpose as a preacher is to encourage you to put your trust in the power of God and not in the wisdom of men (1 Corinthians 2:5).
Prayer
Sometimes we purpose, plan, prepare, are present and participate, but we forget about the importance of prayer to a successful meeting. The first century church was a praying church (Acts 2:42; 4:31; 6:6; 12:12; 13:3; 14:23). Pray that the gospel will have free course into good and honest hearts (Acts 6:4; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1).
We will work together for a good week. This congregation and the lost of Lufkin, TX deserve our very best. Most of all, our Lord deserves our very best. Make sure you show Him how much you love Him and His cause.
