Our Gospel Meeting Begins Today!

by Micky Galloway

As you doubtlessly already know, our gospel meeting with Tom Thornhill of Bellflower, CA, begins today. Tom has been preaching the gospel for many years and is well known in this part of the country. He is known for his knowledge of the Scriptures and his ability to proclaim them. He is well qualified and prepared to direct our study of God’s word during this spiritual feast. It is our hope and prayer that this meeting will prove to be very successful, resulting both in the saving of precious souls, and the strengthening of every Christian who attends.

My beloved brethren, it likewise strengthens me to take part in a series of gospel meetings with my brothers and sisters in Christ, those who “have obtained a like precious faith … in the righteousness of our God and the Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:1). We are 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. King David said, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalms 122:1 KJV). It is always a glad occasion to worship our great God who has done so much for us, but it is encouraging to know that there are others who fear God and “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6), willing to sacrifice time, money, and effort for the treasures of heaven. I know of some who come directly from work to the building to worship. Some are students who study ahead or late at night to come to these assemblies. My brethren are so encouraging. May their numbers increase. 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 know that I struggle to “resist the devil” and “draw nigh to God” (James 2:7-8). It is encouraging to know that others will pray for me and my work in God’s kingdom and that these will continue to wield a godly influence for good in a lost and dying world.

It is our desire that every member of the congregation will do all within his/her power to make this a very successful meeting. Health permitting, we encourage each member to attend every service. Remember, this is to be a congregational effort. Each member of the body is very important. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now they are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: and those (parts) of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely (parts) have more abundant comeliness; whereas our comely (parts) have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that (part) which lacked; that there should be no schism in the body; but (that) the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or (one) member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof.” That means you are important, and your active cooperation is vitally needed!

Let us do everything possible to: (1) Attend every service. (2) Tell others about the spiritual feast being provided, and (3) Pray fervently (I Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1). Pray for the preacher that he will have the health and wisdom to do his part well. Pray for the people whom you invite; that they will come to a knowledge of the truth, and be obedient to it. Pray that doors of opportunity will be opened (Acts 14:27; II Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). Pray that precious souls will be exposed to the gospel. Pray that those who hear the gospel will have “an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).

May we “offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). May God bless each of us as we work together to spread the borders of the kingdom.