A Review Of Our Gospel Meeting

by Micky Galloway

It is always appropriate to review the work we have done and see if we have accomplished our objective or if there are areas where we can improve. This past week of gospel meetings was designed and planned to increase our faith and motivate greater commitment to the Lord. Did we succeed or did we fail? Did we do the best we could to assure a successful effort to preach the gospel? The simple lessons of the gospel were the focus of all the lessons, giving us the opportunity to learn better how to teach our friends and neighbors as well as enriching our own understanding of spiritual things. Let each of us examine himself (cf. II Corinthians 13:5) to see if indeed we did all we could to take advantage of this opportunity.

A Spiritual Feast. The gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s power to save the soul from sin (Romans 1:16-17), and the design of our gospel meeting was to that very purpose … to preach the gospel. Donnie Rader has become a friend. He planned and prepared lessons to challenge us to greater commitment to the Lord. Donnie did not preach the traditions or doctrines of men, nor did he hold back those things that are needful for us out of fear of man. His lessons were from the Scriptures, therefore forever relevant and timely. His lessons were encouraging for those who are Christians as well as being effective to convict the sinner. Our responsibility, as hears of the Word, is to apply the truth taught to our lives. As Paul reminded the Ephesian elders of his work among them, he commended them “to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

My Beloved Brethren. It likewise strengthens me to take part in a series of gospel meetings with my brothers and sisters in Christ, those who “have obtained a like precious faith … in righteousness of our God and the Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:1). We were privileged to engage in worship together throughout the week, giving honor and praise to God our Father and our Lord Jesus in singing, praying, and studying. It is always encouraging to know that there are others who fear God and “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6), willing to sacrifice time, money, and effort for the “treasures of heaven.” In perilous times Elijah was sorely discouraged and lonely. “For the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword: and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (I Kings 19:10). God encouraged him by reminding him that there were “seven thousand in Israel … which have not bowed unto Baal” (I Kings 19:18). We need each other! “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh” (Hebrews 10:24-25). It is encouraging to know that others are genuinely concerned for my soul, who will pray for me and my work in God’s kingdom and who will continue to wield a godly influence for good in a lost and dying world. I am encouraged by the numbers attending this meeting. Many of you invited with success “kinsmen and … near friends” as Cornelius did to hear “all things that have been commanded … of the Lord” (cf. Acts 10:24,33). Some of you arranged your schedules to be available to attend the meeting. Others traveled great distances. Your interest in this meeting is also manifested by the discussions and questions following each meeting that often lasted for some time after we were dismissed. Indeed, it was a great week for all who attended.

A Bitter-Sweet Week. Of all there is to rejoice about, there is the sad fact that some who were invited chose not to be present, did not plan to be present, and felt no obligation to take advantage of such a week of blessings. Some do not understand the responsibility or the joy involved in considering “one another to provoke unto love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Some refuse to understand the joys of heaven hinted at by such grand occasions of assembling with the saints to worship God. David expressed it this way, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the house of Jehovah” (Psalms 122:1). What possible “joy” could heaven hold for the future that would appeal to someone who does not earnestly desire to worship with the God’s people now? Some who are Christians who are weak needed to be a part of this week of worship, prayer, and study. Some who are not Christians (perhaps our family members or friends) failed to hear of God who loves them, failed to hear of Christ who died for them, and the wonderful blessings that are available in Christ for all who will obey His truth. If you were not here; honestly examine your reasons. May we “offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).

Brethren, there is much work to do. “The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:36-38). The gospel of Jesus Christ is reasonable. I am convinced there are people disgusted with hypocrisy and denominational teaching. Let us work to reason with these honest and good hearts to both know and teach God’s will. When Paul went about preaching the gospel to a wicked world, we repeatedly read in the book of Acts how he would “reason with them from the scriptures” and seek to “persuade” them with the truth of God’s word (Acts 17:2, 4, 17; 18:4, 19; 19:8-9, 26; 26:28; 28:23-24). Peter wrote of our need to be able to provide reasons and defenses for our hope and faith, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (I Peter 3:15 NASV). We are also commanded, “let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person” (Colossians 4:6 NASV). We must remember that our efforts to reason and persuade are to be spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15) and know that it is God that “giveth the increase” (I Corinthians 3:6-7).

All lessons and charts are available on our website: www.fifthstreeteast.com