"GOSPEL MEETINGS"
Why Some Succeed And Others Fail
INTRODUCTION
- Gospel meetings can be a useful tool in the work of the local
church...
- A special series of services, lasting a few days, a week, or even
longer
- In which sermons or lessons are presented by guest preachers or
teachers
- Accompanied by congregational singing and prayer
- The purpose of gospel meetings can be twofold...
- Evangelism - providing opportunity to invite others to hear the
gospel
- Edification - building up the members through teaching of God's
word
-- Some gospel meetings focus on one purpose or the other
- Not all gospel meetings appear to have the same effect...
- Some are successful in sowing the seed, and building up the
members
- Others are failures, discouraging those who attend rather than
uplifting them
[Why the difference? Who do some succeed and others fail? I believe
the difference can be found in the attitudes of the members of the
congregation hosting the meeting...]
- ENTHUSIASM LEADS TO SUCCESS
- ENTHUSIASTIC PREACHING...
- Presented by the guest preacher(s)
- Lessons designed to stir the heart
- Sermons presented by a preacher on fire for the Lord - cf.
Jer 15:16; 20:9
- Listened to by a receptive audience
- Who receive the Word with all readiness - cf. Ac 17:11
- Whose attentiveness inspires the preacher in his efforts
-- Rarely is there a problem with the preacher being on fire; yet
the audience can have an impact on the preacher's zeal!
- ENTHUSIASTIC WORSHIP...
- Congregational singing that uplifts and inspires - cf. Col 3:16
- Led by enthusiastic and talented song leaders
- Joined in by joyful congregants
- Prayers offered that bless those who hear - cf. He 4:14-16
- Often expressed by visiting preachers or elders
- Drawing us near to God and preparing us to receive the Word
-- Enthusiasm in worship further blesses the audience by firing up
the preacher!
- ENTHUSIASTIC ATTENDANCE...
- Attendance by the regular members
- Coming to every service of the meeting as possible
- Arriving early, glad to be present
- Attendance by the visitors
- Brethren from congregations in the area
- Who support our efforts by their presence
- Who contribute to the occasion by their singing and
prayer
- Visitors from the community
- Who have accepted the invitation to come
- Whose presence indicates spiritual interest
-- It is not uncommon for visitors to outnumber members; if all
the local members are present, the building will likely be
full!
- ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME...
- Extended before the service begins
- By members who arrive early, ready to greet and welcome the
visitors
- By members who leave premium seating for the visitors
- Extended after the service is over
- By members who stay around, talking to the visitors
- By members who may show hospitality by inviting visitors
into their homes or to a restaurant for a snack
-- Added to the efforts of the guest preacher(s), such interaction
between members and visitors enhances the edification of the
gospel meeting!
[Even if a single soul does not respond to the gospel invitation, a
gospel meeting is a success when the Word of God has been proclaimed and
saints have been edified.
Yet sometimes, a gospel meeting fails to rise to the occasion despite
the faithful efforts of a fervent preacher. A major reason for failure
can be summarized in one word: Apathy...]
- APATHY LEADS TO FAILURE
- APATHY TOWARD THE WORD...
- Manifested by indifference toward the gospel meeting
- Observable by poor attendance by the members of the
congregation
- Noticed by visitors from other congregations and the community
-- Does our absence not say something about our reverence for the
Word of God?
- APATHY TOWARD PRAISING GOD...
- Evident in late arrival that disrupts the service in progress
- Expressed in song and prayer that lacks zeal and fervor of
spirit
-- Does not the praise of God deserve the same common courtesy we
show other appointments we keep?
- APATHY TOWARD BRETHREN...
- Visible by our absence and empty seats
- Apparently our concern for one another is not sufficient to
make the effort necessary to attend
-- Does not our absence suggest indifference about the growth and
well-being of the church?
- APATHY TOWARD VISITORS...
- Shown by failing to welcome them
- Conveyed by our quick departure after the services
-- Can we expect visitors to take our message seriously, when we
fail to take their presence seriously?
CONCLUSION
- As with any service rendered to God or man, success or failure is
affected by attitude...
- Enthusiasm increases the likelihood of success
- Apathy guarantees the likelihood of failure
- In the service of God, attitude is important...
- Diligence and fever are essential in our service to the Lord - Ro
12:11
- Lukewarmness in our service is abominable to the Lord - Re 3:15-16
As we plan our involvement gospel meetings, what will our attitude be?
The success or failure of gospel meetings rests heavily upon our
attitude. And so does our eternal well-being!