“PREACHING THE GOSPEL NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE”
Having preached in over five hundred meetings with over twenty future meetings scheduled it is very obvious that preaching the gospel never goes out of style. The goal is to save souls. The following article by Mike King hits the target. Larry
A plethora of strength and benefit can be realized by both a congregation and individuals when attending local gospel meetings. We are sometimes guilty of discrediting activities that are good and wholesome because we lack interest, spiritual inclination, and being unselfish without time. It is not uncommon to hear today that door knocking is an archaic method of evangelism and gospel meetings are things of the past. Never shall a personal distribution of truth ever become outdated or obsolete! God will not let it happen because the proclamation of truth was to be done through “earthen vessels,” His followers (Rom. 9:21; II Tim. 2:20-22).
The apostle Paul records the placement of various spiritual men in the Lord’s church from the time of the initiation of the body in Acts 2 on Pentecost. Their mission was to “perfect (mature) the saints,” for “ministering,” and “building up the body of Christ.” The objectives are to enable Christians to become “perfect” (full-grown, mature, complete) “unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” This would enable the truth to be spoken in love and each hearing individual to be edified and motivated “to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Eph. 4:11-16).
The purpose of a gospel meeting is not just a tradition or a necessary evil; it has a three-fold purpose:
1. It is to admonish or give “kind counsel, reprove.” We must be “able to admonish one another” (Rom. 15:14). We are to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…admonishing one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:16).
2. We have been instructed to exhort one another as well. Christians are urged to do good deeds and to preach (II Tim. 4:1-5). Encouragement is given to teach and consent to wholesome words which teach and exhort (I Tim. 6:2,3). Admonition and exhortation by means of God’s powerful Word contain the ingredients for saving self and others that hear us (I Tim. 4:11-16).
3. Gospel meetings are good for renewal and revival. David prayed for God to “renew a right spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10) for he knew he was sinful. Isaiah said that God and His word will renew our strength, but reminders are needed. A meeting is a good time to repent, find restoration, and return to the Lord (Heb. 6:6). Take advantage of every opportunity.
