Topical Sermons - Gospel Meetings: Why Should We Attend Them?

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                           "GOSPEL MEETINGS"

                       Why Should We Attend Them?

INTRODUCTION

1. The time for our gospel meeting is near; what is your reaction...?
   a. Delight?  Dismay?
   b. Disinterest?  Disgust?

2. What exactly is a gospel meeting...?
   a. Usually a multi-day event hosted by a congregation, open to the
      public
   b. Where a guest speaker (preacher, evangelist) presents a series of
      lessons

3. I have often observed the following...
   a. Some look forward to gospel meetings, and attend every service
      possible
   b. They even visit gospel meetings conducted by other churches in the
      area
   c. Others appear not to care, and make little effort to attend at all

[Perhaps the difference is due to a failure to appreciate why it is good
to attend gospel meetings, and especially why we should try to attend
every service during our own gospel meeting.  Allow me to suggest
several reasons why I believe it is important.  First, we should attend
gospel meetings...]

I. TO SUPPORT A GREAT MESSAGE

   A. GOSPEL MEETINGS PROCLAIM THE WORD OF GOD...
      1. Which is living and powerful - He 4:12
      2. Which is able to produce faith - Ro 10:17
      -- Isn't God's Word worthy of our support?

   B. GOSPEL MEETINGS PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST...
      1. The power of God unto salvation - Ro 1:16
      2. The message Jesus wants everyone to hear - Mk 16:15-16
      -- Isn't the gospel of Christ worthy of our support?

[Our presence shows our support for the great message Christ has to
offer the world.  What does our absence show?  Secondly, we should
attend gospel meetings...]

II. TO RECEIVE A GREAT MESSAGE

   A. GOSPEL MEETINGS HAVE A TWO-FOLD PURPOSE...
      1. One purpose is to evangelize
         a. To seek and save the lost by proclaiming the gospel
         b. To provide opportunity for friends, neighbors, and strangers
            to hear the gospel
      2. Another purpose is to edify
         a. To exhort one another to love and good works - He 10:24-25
         b. To revive those who have lost their first love - Re 2:4-5
       -- Gospel meetings are designed to meet everyone's need

   B. GOSPEL MEETINGS OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE...
      1. For sinners
         a. The gospel of Christ which tells of God's love for them - Jn
            3:16; 1Jn 4:10
         b. The plan of salvation which tells how to respond to God's
            love - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:37-38
      2. For the saved
         a. Apostolic doctrine to grow in grace - Ac 2:42; 2Pe 3:18
         b. Apostles' teaching to prepare for the grace to come - 1Pe
            1:13; 2Pe 1:10-11
      -- Gospel meetings are designed for sinner and saved alike

[Our presence shows that we desire to receive the great message Jesus
has to offer.  What does our absence show?  Finally, we should attend
gospel meetings...]

III. TO SEND A GREAT MESSAGE

   A. GOSPEL MEETINGS ALLOW YOU TO DEMONSTRATE...
      1. Your priorities in life (the kingdom of God comes first) - Mt
         6:33
      2. Your attitude toward the gospel (you are not ashamed of it)
         - Ro 1:16
      3. Your concern for the lost (you have compassion for them) - Mt
         9:35-38
      4. Your support for your brethren (you want to encourage them)
         - Ro 15:1-2
      -- Gospel meetings reveal a lot about ourselves

   B. GOSPEL MEETINGS ALLOW YOU TO INFLUENCE...
      1. Your family, friends, neighbors, and brethren
      2. For good, by the example of your presence
      3. For ill, by the example of your absence
      -- Gospel meetings impact a lot of people in various ways

CONCLUSION

1. In review, we should attend gospel meetings...
   a. To support a great message
   b. To receive a great message
   c. To send a great message

2. My purpose is not to put a guilt trip on anyone, but to...
   a. Enlighten you as to the value of gospel meetings
   b. Encourage you to utilize the opportunity of gospel meetings

And so I leave you these words of the apostle Paul...

   "Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding
   in all things."
                                                      - 2Ti 2:7
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