Subscribe to our PODCAST here.Our Gospel Meeting
Our Gospel Meeting
Intro.
A. Successful efforts are planned - it takes no planning to fail! (Some say the success or failure of a ball team happens before the game starts. Don’t know whether it is always true, but certainly has a great effect.)
B. Why do we have gospel meetings and what is my responsibility toward them?
Body:
A. What it is not:
1. Not a matter of routine - just a custom/ritual we go through for no purpose; just endure it.
2. Not to create a sensation by gimmicks, showmanship, etc.
3. A “revival”? “A bring or coming back into use, attention, or being, after a decline;...a bringing back to life or consciousness; a stirring up of religious faith by fervid evangelistic preaching at public meetings; a series of such meetings” (Webster).
4. Have been called “protracted meeting” (to draw out, lengthen in duration); “gospel meeting” (“sounding forth the word of God” 1 Thess. 1:8). God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:14-16).
B. Authority for such:
1. A method of teaching the gospel - preacher and hearers.
a. Peter went to Cornelius’ house - asked “for what reason have you sent for me?” (Acts
10:24-29).
b. Those present are “to hear all things commanded you of God” (v. 33). (M. Luther: “He who merely studies the commandments of God is not greatly moved. But he who listens to God commanding, how can he fail to be terrified by majesty so great?”)
c. Those who visit are instructed (1 Cor. 14:22-25).
2. Jerusalem met daily for a period of time (Acts 2:46).
3. Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch to teach for a year; do not know how often (Acts 11:22-26).
C. What is my responsibility?
1. Each member of the body is to do its part (1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:11-16).
a. If a member of the physical body is not functioning properly, we doctor it.
b. Sometimes a part has to be amputated for the benefit of the whole body.
2. Each believer is a branch in the vine (Jn. 15:1-6).
a. Branches depend upon the vine for life; the vine depends upon the branches for fruit.
b. God doesn’t need me to accomplish His purposes - can use others, but I need to bear
fruit for Him - because that is my function (Acts 17:25).
3. Each member is a citizen of the heavenly kingdom/temple (Col. 1:13; Eph. 2:19-22).
a. We have obligations to the King - all other relationships are incidental to this one.
b. A spiritual kingdom (Jn. 18:36), but real relationship - fellow citizens...stones in the
building.
4. Each is a soldier in the Lord’s army (Eph. 6:10-20).
a. Some go AWOL - in the national army, those people are prosecuted - have been unfaithful to their government and detrimental to others (do not carry their part of the load, and if get by with that, influences others to do the same.)
b. The army will allow “leave of absence” for worthy purposes - but not forsaking.
D. What is my preparation?
1. Spiritual preparation:
a. Prayer - for the lost (Rom. 10:1-4), the weak (Jas. 5:13-16), the preacher (Col. 4:3).
b. Have heart on the Lord’s cause - seek His kingdom/righteousness (Mt. 6:33).
2. Physical preparation?
a. Arrange to be present every time possible. (We will be meeting five week-nights - not one - Wednesday!)
b. Arrive one time (or early) to greet visitors, help them find seat toward the front - and
sit up front (leave back for those with small children who want to sit there).
c. If small children make too much noise - use one of the nurseries (until they are ready to return). Not saying leave at first whimper - but be considerate of visitors.
d. Be enthusiastic in participation - listen carefully, sing cheerfully, say Amen at end of prayer.
Concl.
Remember - good preaching depends upon good listening. We are listening to God’s word (Acts 10:33) - all here - in sight of God - to hear - all things.
Intro.
A. Successful efforts are planned - it takes no planning to fail! (Some say the success or failure of a ball team happens before the game starts. Don’t know whether it is always true, but certainly has a great effect.)
B. Why do we have gospel meetings and what is my responsibility toward them?
Body:
A. What it is not:
1. Not a matter of routine - just a custom/ritual we go through for no purpose; just endure it.
2. Not to create a sensation by gimmicks, showmanship, etc.
3. A “revival”? “A bring or coming back into use, attention, or being, after a decline;...a bringing back to life or consciousness; a stirring up of religious faith by fervid evangelistic preaching at public meetings; a series of such meetings” (Webster).
4. Have been called “protracted meeting” (to draw out, lengthen in duration); “gospel meeting” (“sounding forth the word of God” 1 Thess. 1:8). God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:14-16).
B. Authority for such:
1. A method of teaching the gospel - preacher and hearers.
a. Peter went to Cornelius’ house - asked “for what reason have you sent for me?” (Acts
10:24-29).
b. Those present are “to hear all things commanded you of God” (v. 33). (M. Luther: “He who merely studies the commandments of God is not greatly moved. But he who listens to God commanding, how can he fail to be terrified by majesty so great?”)
c. Those who visit are instructed (1 Cor. 14:22-25).
2. Jerusalem met daily for a period of time (Acts 2:46).
3. Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch to teach for a year; do not know how often (Acts 11:22-26).
C. What is my responsibility?
1. Each member of the body is to do its part (1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:11-16).
a. If a member of the physical body is not functioning properly, we doctor it.
b. Sometimes a part has to be amputated for the benefit of the whole body.
2. Each believer is a branch in the vine (Jn. 15:1-6).
a. Branches depend upon the vine for life; the vine depends upon the branches for fruit.
b. God doesn’t need me to accomplish His purposes - can use others, but I need to bear
fruit for Him - because that is my function (Acts 17:25).
3. Each member is a citizen of the heavenly kingdom/temple (Col. 1:13; Eph. 2:19-22).
a. We have obligations to the King - all other relationships are incidental to this one.
b. A spiritual kingdom (Jn. 18:36), but real relationship - fellow citizens...stones in the
building.
4. Each is a soldier in the Lord’s army (Eph. 6:10-20).
a. Some go AWOL - in the national army, those people are prosecuted - have been unfaithful to their government and detrimental to others (do not carry their part of the load, and if get by with that, influences others to do the same.)
b. The army will allow “leave of absence” for worthy purposes - but not forsaking.
D. What is my preparation?
1. Spiritual preparation:
a. Prayer - for the lost (Rom. 10:1-4), the weak (Jas. 5:13-16), the preacher (Col. 4:3).
b. Have heart on the Lord’s cause - seek His kingdom/righteousness (Mt. 6:33).
2. Physical preparation?
a. Arrange to be present every time possible. (We will be meeting five week-nights - not one - Wednesday!)
b. Arrive one time (or early) to greet visitors, help them find seat toward the front - and
sit up front (leave back for those with small children who want to sit there).
c. If small children make too much noise - use one of the nurseries (until they are ready to return). Not saying leave at first whimper - but be considerate of visitors.
d. Be enthusiastic in participation - listen carefully, sing cheerfully, say Amen at end of prayer.
Concl.
Remember - good preaching depends upon good listening. We are listening to God’s word (Acts 10:33) - all here - in sight of God - to hear - all things.