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“What A Gospel Meeting Does – Part 2”
What A Gospel Meeting Does – Part 2
Victor Eskew
#5: A gospel meeting confronts false doctrine. “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal. 2:4-5). “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 3-4).
#6: A gospel meeting brings salvation. “For whosover shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:13-15). “…it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Cor. 1:212b).
#7: A gospel meeting increases our faith. So then cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…” (Eph. 1:13).
#8: A gospel meeting strengths the inner man. “”For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Col. 1:9-11).
#9: A gospel meeting reminds us of what is important. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word…But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:39, 42).
#10: A gospel meeting prepares us for eternity. “And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Eph. 1:17-18).
If gospel meetings can accomplish these ten things, how can anyone believe they are useless today. Our problem is two-fold when it comes to gospel meetings. First, we just refuse to get excited about them as the church. We do not want to attend. Therefore, we can not enthusiastically invite others to attend. Second, we have lost our faith in the power of the Word of God. Even for many Christians, the message has become dull and boring. Dear readers, when we are excited about the salvation of the lost, gospel meetings will be one vehicle we can use to teach others. And, when we are convinced of the power of God’s Word (Heb. 4:12), we will use every available means to hear it for ourselves and get others to hear it as well. The reality is that the gospel meeting is not ineffective; we have become unfaithful and ineffective.
