"GOSPEL MEETINGS"

Keys To A Successful Meeting

INTRODUCTION
  1. The time for our gospel meeting is near!
    1. In view of the Lord's money and the time we will spend...
    2. ...we ought to be vitally interested in its success
  2. For it to be a success, we must realize our responsibility and accept it!
    1. The effort of the one(s) who will preach is important
    2. Yet such effort can be greatly hindered if we fail to do our part

[What is required for a successful gospel meeting? Several keys are necessary, beginning with purpose: Why have a gospel meeting...?]

  1. PURPOSE
    1. ONE PURPOSE IS TO EVANGELIZE...
      1. To seek and save the lost through proclaiming the gospel - cf. Ro 1:14-17
      2. To provide opportunity for friends and neighbors to hear the gospel - cf. Ro 10:17
    2. ANOTHER PURPOSE IS TO EDIFY...
      1. To exhort one another to love and good works - cf. He 10:24-25
      2. To revive our first love - cf. Re 2:4-5
      3. To remove any lukewarmness that may have crept in - cf. Re 3:15-19

      [Some meetings may be designed for one purpose or another, perhaps both. Once we have established our purpose, another key to a successful meeting is...]

  2. PREPARATION
    1. LACK OF PREPARATION CAN KILL A MEETING...
      1. What would you think of a preacher who came unprepared?
      2. Yet many members are often unprepared for a meeting...
        1. Unprepared to attend each and every service if possible
        2. Unprepared to encourage other members to attend
        3. Unprepared to exhort the members at the services
        4. Unprepared to invite those for whom the meeting is intended
        5. Unprepared to visit and welcome those who come
    2. PREPARATION INVOLVES EFFORT BY ALL...
      1. Resolving to attend every service
      2. Resolving to invite others to come
      3. Resolving to be friendly to all who come
      4. Resolving to pray for God to bless this effort

      [Successful preparation means working as though it depends upon us, while praying as though it depends upon God! Another key to a successful meeting are...]

  3. PROSPECTS
    1. WHO ARE THE PROSPECTS...?
      1. For a meeting designed to evangelize, the prospects are the unsaved
        1. Including friends, relatives, neighbors
        2. Anyone who has yet to come to the Lord
      2. For a meeting designed to edify, the prospects are ourselves!
        1. Every member of this congregation is a prospect
        2. Every member needs to be encouraged, uplifted
    2. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE FOR THE PROSPECTS...?
      1. They should be invited (before and during the meeting)
      2. Transportation should be offered if needed
      3. One might invite them to dinner, and then attend the meeting together

      [There are plenty of prospects (cf. Jn 4:35). With preparation the purpose of the meeting will likely be fulfilled. But there are two more keys to a successful meeting, one being...]

  4. PRESENCE
    1. PRESENCE MAKES OR BREAKS A MEETING...
      1. Your presence is edifying, while your absence is demoralizing!
        1. Just as the absence of Titus depressed Paul - cf. 2Co 2:12-13
        2. Just as the absence of two and a half tribes would have discouraged the rest of the tribes of Israel - cf. Num 32:6-7
      2. We might think our absence is not important, but it is
        1. Empty seats have an affect on those who are present
        2. Affecting the morale of the members, and the impact of the meeting upon visitors
    2. MEMBERS CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE...
      1. Most meetings enjoy the presence of visitors, yet the overall attendance is often below the normal attendance on Sunday mornings
      2. Why? Because the meeting is poorly attended by the own members of the congregation!
      3. If all the members would just attend, most buildings would be filled!
      4. Sadly, sometimes there are more visitors than members!
    3. EXCUSES, EXCUSES...
      1. Invariably, members will offer excuses to explain their absence
        1. Like those in the parable of the great supper - cf. Lk 14:15-24
        2. Unless it is sickness or unavoidable work, I have little sympathy
      2. Don't tell me your excuses...
        1. Tell it to your brethren who are discouraged by your absence
        2. Tell it to the visitors who wonder why the members don't support their own meeting
        3. Tell it to the lost who wonder if the gospel or Christ's church is worth it
        4. Tell it to those who have the same reasons not to attend, but come anyway!
        5. Tell it to the Lord, who came to this earth and died for you!

        [Finally, an important key to a successful meeting is...]

  5. PARTICIPATION
    1. PARTICIPATE BEFORE AND AFTER THE SERVICE...
      1. Arrive early to greet and welcome visitors
      2. Sit up front, leaving the back for visitors who come late
      3. Stick around afterward, greet the visitors, invite them back
      4. Extend hospitality by inviting them home or to a restaurant for a snack - cf. 1Pe 4:9
    2. PARTICIPATE DURING THE SERVICE...
      1. Sing in a spirited manner, with grace in your hearts
      2. Give a hearty amen to the prayers offered
      3. Those who lead in prayer and song, do so audibly and with enthusiasm!
      4. Give close attention to the sermon - cf. Ac 17:11
CONCLUSION
  1. If a congregation approaches a gospel meeting with the right measure of...
    1. Purpose
    2. Preparation
    3. Prospects
    4. Presence
    5. Participation ...they will have an excellent and successful meeting!
  2. Of course, presumed throughout this lesson is another key to success: Prayer!
    1. Prayer before, during, and after the meeting
    2. Praying for laborers, and for free course for the Word - cf. Mt 9:37-38; 2Th 3:1

With the help of God, then, our meetings will accomplish the purpose for which they are intended, glorying God by saving souls and edifying the saved!