Sunday, September 11, 2016 pm
A GOSPEL MEETING
(Based on a lesson by Joe Price)
Beginning 3 weeks from today, our fall Gospel meeting will begin with JR
Bronger of Danville, Indiana.
Preparations are being made in many ways for this meeting.
It is my hope that WE are each doing what we can to make this
meeting as successful as possible.
While we have gospel meetings twice a year, from time to time lessons
like this one will be presented to remind us of why we are engaged in
such works and what we can/should be doing as we prepare.
The
challenge for me is to come up with different ways to remind us of these
things. So tonight I present
an approach that I came across this past week (from Brother Joe Price)
which addresses this. It is
called A GOSPEL MEETING and using the letters of that phrase we are
reminded of some things associated with this effort.
So let’s get started here.
ASSEMBLING
ourselves together.
-
A continued point of
emphasis. Hebrews 10:25
speaks of how we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves
together. “Forsaking” is a
present tense verb related to our assembling.
I have noted this has reference to WHENEVER we assemble as
opposed to a specific, once a week, assembly.
Acts 2:42 says they continued
steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, etc.
The verb here is identical structure to Heb. 10:25. Again this
show ongoing action.
-
Assembling with the
saints as often as we can during this effort will be the best way you
can show your support and approval of this effort.
GATHERED to
hear the gospel proclaimed.
-
We are reminded in 1
Corinthians 15:1-2 Paul reminds them that he declared to them the gospel
preached, received, in which they stand and by which they are saved IF
they hold fast.
-
We are not here to hear
the teachings and philosophies of men.
1 Corinthians 2:1-2
-
We are coming together
to hear the gospel proclaimed – Acts 2:42 – they continued steadfastly
in the apostle’s doctrine.
-
Acts 10:33 – Cornelius
and his household gathered “to hear all things commanded you by God.”
-
During this gospel
meeting we will hear the plain gospel proclaimed.
OPPORTUNITY for
us to grow in Christ
-
2 Peter 3:17-18 – Peter
concludes his letter with the admonition that they grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
-
As Christians it ought
to be our desire to grow.
Philippians 1:9, Paul’s prayer for them was that they abound still more
in knowledge and discernment so that they could approve of things
pleasant.
-
Gospel meetings, while
taxing in many ways, are intensified opportunities for us to grow as we
ought to. Let us
resolve to avail ourselves of this opportunity.
SHARE the good
news with others
-
We have emphasized the
importance of seeking the lost.
The great commission is about making disciples – Matthew
28:19-20. Luke 24:47-48
speaks of repentance and remission of sins being preached in His name to
all nations
-
1 Thessalonians 1:8, the
church there was commended because from them the word of God sounded
forth throughout the region.
-
Our gospel meetings are
an opportunity for us as the body of Christ here in Bellflower to share
God’s word with others. It
is an opportunity to invite our friends and neighbors with more
opportunities (convenient to them) to come and be introduced to the true
gospel. Many churches today
have eliminated these efforts or abbreviated them.
Such could be lost opportunities to share the word of God with
others.
PREPARATION –
preparing to be here, preparing our minds to properly worship.
-
Ezra 7:10, he prepared
his heart to seek the Law of the LORD and to do it and to teach it.
-
Christians are to be a
prepared people. We are
sober and watchful.
2 Timothy 2:21 speaks of cleaning ourselves to be useful for the Master,
prepared for every good work.
Our feet are shod with “the preparation of the gospel of peace”
(Ephesians 6:15)
-
Any worthwhile effort
takes work and preparation.
Similar with this effort to that of other things, in a sense the degree
of success will depend upon how much effort we put into it.
EXAMPLES to
others
-
We know that the
absolute best way for us to teach begins with our example.
In that people see what is important to us.
We are to let our lights shine – Phil. 2:15.
-
This gospel meeting is
an opportunity for the world to see that the Lord and His church are
important. They are our
priority. Does the world see
sacrifices in our efforts? Or do they just see a religion of
convenience?
LOVE will
motivate us –
-
1 Corinthians 16:14 Paul
says, “Let all that you do be done
with love.” We
continually emphasize love in our studies.
We will not repeat that here.
-
But we do note that when
our love is what it ought to be, doing those things pleasing to Him will
be at the forefront of our lives.
Efforts such as this provide opportunity for us to demonstrate
our love for one another (John 13:34-35). our love for God (Matthew
22:37), as well as our love for our neighbors (Matthew 22:38)
MINDING the
things of the Spirit as we follow His pattern
-
Romans 8:5 says that
those who live by the flesh mind the things of the flesh, but those who
live according to the Spirit mind the things of the Spirit
-
Through the gospel, the
Spirit convicts the world – 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Paul notes that the
gospel he preached was in power and the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 1:12, again by the Holy Spirit the gospel was preached.
This is because, He, the Helper, guided them into all truth.
John 16:13
-
If we, or the world, is
to be fully convicted, it will be because the gospel is preached in its
purity and simplicity.
During this gospel meeting, the truth will be proclaimed.
EDIFIED – a
benefit of our assemblies.
-
In our studies we have
established that worship is primarily about God.
And that is something we must ABSOLUTELY understand.
-
However, as we worship
God, we are edified or built up.
Something we need. And it is a product of worship – 1 Corinthians
14:12, 26.
-
We need continual
edification. Of course
edification comes when “every part does its share” – Ephesians 4:16.
-
This gospel meeting is
an opportunity to edify and be edified.
Will you do your part in that?
EXPOSING the
works of darkness –
-
While not pleasant, a
necessary task of preaching is to expose error.
To save the lost they need to be convicted that they are lost!
Ephesians 5:11 calls for us to do this very thing.
-
Preaching not only
exhorts, it also reproves (convinces) and rebukes (2 Tim. 4:2-3).
There is a reason the gospel is described in terms of a sword –
Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17, cf. Matthew 10:34, etc.
-
In this gospel meeting,
error will be exposed and proper truth proclaimed.
Who knows whether or not, an invitation will cause someone in the
world to repent, OR cause us to reflect on error in our lives and
equally repent of that.
TAKING time to
worship God.
-
As already noted, we
will assemble to worship God.
John 4:24 – it must be “in spirit and in truth”.
-
This means that as at
other times, we will do what we are supposed to do according to His
patter.
-
Worshipping Him is a
privilege and it is something we ought to look forward to.
Psalm 122:1, Psa.84, etc.
-
Consider all that God
has done for us, He is worthy of our praise and worship!
Let us resolve to give that to Him!
INVITATIONS are
needed
-
Having established what
we need to be doing for this effort and some of its benefits, we now
focus on our need to get to work.
-
We need to be inviting
others to be here. We
have talked about the opportunities that will be presented.
But HOW will that happen if none are invited.
Romans 10:13-15 speaks of salvation coming to those who call on
His name, but it won’t happen unless they hear, and they won’t hear if
no one is sent.
-
Furthermore, there is
the INVITATION that is offered to make our lives right.
At each assembly we offer an invitation.
Acts 2:40, just like Peter on the day of Pentecost.
The invitation of Jesus – Matthew 11:28-30
NOW is the day of salvation
-
2 Corinthians 6:2
reminds us that now is the day of salvation.
-
While our Lord God is
longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9), we don’t know how much longer this world
will last. And there is the
uncertainty of life. 2
Corinthians 5:10-11, James 4:14, etc.
-
That is why when we have
opportunities, we must avail ourselves of the NOW!
GO and make
disciples of all nations
-
Matthew 28:19, Mark
16:15 – the great commission.
The life of a Christian is about going and doing.
-
As we conclude this
lesson let us do so with the reminder that we have to get to work.
If we don’t nothing will be accomplished.
A
gospel meeting will begin in just a few weeks.
Are you getting ready for this?
Think about it!