“Are You Ready For A Gospel Meeting?”

By Bill Brandstatter

    Beginning Sunday, October 3rd, this congregation will begin a gospel meeting with Mike McDaniel. His subject will be “Preview of the Judgment Day.” Why do churches of Christ have gospel meetings? Why do we call them “gospel meetings? Let us consider three points as we get ready for our gospel meeting.

    The gospel saves. Paul indicates the importance of the gospel by declaring, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16 NKJV). Paul also wrote to the church at Corinth and stated, “If our gospel be hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost.” (2 Cor. 4:3) Emotionalism is not the gospel. Yet the saving gospel does produce some emotions. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39). The Philippian jailer, after being baptized, “rejoiced.” (Acts 16:34)

    The gospel was the New Testament Rule and Guide. The apostles were

commissioned by Christ what they were to preach. They were told by our Lord “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15, 16) Paul knew the importance of preaching the gospel. He realized the importance of getting the gospel message out to the world. The apostle from Tarsus declares, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; ye, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:16)

    The gospel is to be taken to the world. It was taken to the world of Paul’s day (Col. 1:23). God doesn’t tell us how the gospel is to be taken. We teach and preach on the radio, newspaper, publicly, and privately. The early Christians did this. Luke records, “They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) One of the ways a person can help to get the gospel message out is to invite someone to services. Also, we should be friendly to a visitor who comes. That could lead to that person wanting to know more. It is important that you attend our gospel meeting, if at all possible; and please bring a friend.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/