Was our Gospel Meeting a Success?

by Chris Simmons & Micky Galloway

In a gospel meeting, degrees of success or failure are dependent on a number of important factors. Was our gospel meeting a success?

Perhaps the most important factor is simply whether or not the truth of God's word was proclaimed and false doctrine exposed. Brother Joe Price fulfilled his responsibility in that regard and “spoke as it were the utterances of God” (I Peter 4:11). He presented his lessons without the need for “clever” or “persuasive” speech. This is what Paul practiced in his preaching as he said in I Corinthians 1:17, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void”. Also in I Corinthians 2:1-4, “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God … And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” In addition, Brother Price exposed the deceptions spread by the father of all lies and the false doctrine that is rampantly spreading. Those in attendance this past week could not help but be better equipped to identify and refute false doctrine which is by its very nature both deceptive (Matthew 7:15) and destructive (II Peter 2:1-2). Brother Price's preaching abided in the teaching of Christ (II John 9) and thus he did his job in making this meeting a success.

All the truthful preaching in the world will not produce any success if there wasn't anybody present to hear it spoken. This should be a self-evident truth: attendance is critical to any gospel meeting's success. Much planning and preparation had been made for this gospel meeting and we all had plenty of opportunity to prepare our own schedules and we had the time to “…consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds...” (Hebrews 10:24-25). The question is; did we make every effort to come at each opportunity, to edify our brethren and be edified ourselves? Peter's efforts to preach to the household of Cornelius would not have had any chance of success unless his family had not been “…all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord” (Acts 10:33).

A Bitter-Sweet Week. Of all there is to rejoice about, there is the sad fact that some chose not to be present and take advantage of such a week of blessings. Some who are not Christians failed to hear of the God who loves them, the Christ who died for them, and the wonderful blessings that are available in Christ for all who will obey His truth. Some who are Christians who are weak needed to be a part of this week of worship, prayer, and study and failed to take advantage of the opportunity to be strengthened in the knowledge of His will and to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). Some who are Christians simply said “no” to opportunities to offer encouragement to their brethren and their worship and praise unto God. If you were not here, honestly examine your reasons. Some perhaps are justified, but others are not. I often think of the excuses given by those who slighted the invitation to the great feast in Luke 14:18-20, and how easy it is for people to justify themselves right into hell. God is not mocked. May we “offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

It has been a successful week because brethren have been edified through the opportunity to worship and study together. We can not help but be strengthened and encouraged when we take part in a series of gospel meetings with our brothers and sisters in Christ, those who “have obtained a like precious faith ... in righteousness of our God and the Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:1). We were privileged to engage in worship together throughout the week, giving honor and praise to God our Father and our Lord Jesus in singing, praying, and studying with the brethren of our own congregation and loved ones from other congregations who made the effort to come and worship and have fellowship with us in this gospel meeting . It is always encouraging to know that there are others who fear God and “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6), are willing to sacrifice time, money, and effort for the “treasures of heaven.” In perilous times Elijah was sorely discouraged. “For the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword: and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (I Kings 19:10). God encouraged him by reminding him that there were “seven thousand in Israel … which have not bowed unto Baal” (I Kings 19:18). We need to encourage one another. “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh” (Hebrews 10:24-25). It is encouraging to know that others are genuinely concerned for my soul, who will pray for me and my work in God's kingdom and who will continue to wield a godly influence for good in a lost and dying world.

Brother Price has returned home and our gospel meeting has concluded. Yet the book on the success or failure of the meeting has yet to be closed. Success or failure of any gospel meeting is affected by what happens long after the final AMEN is said. The question is: Will we continue to meditate on the Bible truths spoken this past week (cf. Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:2)? Will we be able to call the things he taught to our remembrance after he is gone? It was Peter's goal that we commit Bible teaching to our memory. “And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind” (II Peter 1:15; cf., 1:12-15). Also, are we prepared to water the seed that Joe Price planted in the hearts of those both inside and outside of the body of Christ? These things ultimately will affect our gospel meeting's success.

When it comes down to it, a gospel meeting's success or failure is based on what we all put into it. So, was our gospel meeting a success?