Go to the Home page Weekly bulletin article archives

For Those Who Missed Our Gospel Meeting

by Chris Simmons

This past week, brother Jason Guifarro, who preaches for the Santa Susanna congregation in Simi Valley, presented some excellent lessons on the subject of evangelism. 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. This meeting was planned for some time and we all had plenty of opportunity to “… consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together” (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 been “… all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord” (Acts 10:33). We enjoyed good attendance at many of the services this past week including the brethren of our local congregation, visitors who are outside the body of Christ, and visitors from other congregations. Could the attendance have been better? Each one of us must individually answer that question seriously and soberly.

For those of our congregation that attended every night, we can’t thank you enough (I Thessalonians 1:2) for your support and encouragement and we pray that you were as edified as we were by the message proclaimed. For those who made great effort to be there, know that your presence was a great encouragement to your brethren and fellow members and helped to build us up which is what Paul asked us to do in I Thessalonians 5:11. Your presence and participation in the singing and your rapt attention to the message truly made a positive difference. For those who helped spread the word, who helped prepare our meeting place for our assembling, and who assisted in each evenings worship services, who extended their hospitality, and for our brother Richard who makes it possible to go back and be reminded of all of the lessons presented on our website, we truly thank you all. Our prayer is that the seed that was sown in our hearts may bear fruit as we reflect on our duties and responsibilities to evangelize and spread the good news.

We also missed many of the members of our congregation throughout the week. For those who were unable to attend due to illness or physical infirmities, please know that you have been, and are in our prayers for your recovery and strengthening. As we read in III John 2, we pray “that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” Life in the flesh can be very challenging at times as we deal with various ailments, sickness, and disease and we pray for your ability to endure and continue to long for the day when such will plague us no longer (Revelation 21:3-4).

For those who were able to attend and did not, our prayers are also with you. Prayers that you might realize the opportunity missed to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:17) and to be stirred up by way of reminder (II Peter 1:12-15; 3:1-2) of the need to spread the good news of the gospel to others. Our prayer for you is also that you might not let the cares of this world distract your attention away from the one thing that really matters (Luke 10:41-42; Matthew 13:22; Luke 21:34). Our prayer is also that you might realize the need to worship and glorify God at every opportunity so that God would not ask of one whom He has redeemed and forgiven, “Where are they?” (Luke 17:17). Our prayer is that you would “consider one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25) and realize how much your brethren need you and are discouraged when you choose to be absent. Our prayer is that you might realize that the success of the church which meets at Fifth Street East in Lancaster, CA is dependent on the “proper working of each individual part” (Ephesians 4:16) and that our growth and edification is dependent on you and your contribution to each worship service.

For those who missed our gospel meeting, brother Guifarro taught us that “evangelism” is simply bringing good news to those who need it (Acts 5:42). He preached on the need for this good news to go “into all the world” (Mark 16:15) because everyone needs this good news (Acts 10:34-35) and we must be convinced that there are still good and honest hearts who will receive it (Matthew 9:37-38). He preached on the subject that it is the gospel, or the word of God, that is to be proclaimed (Luke 8:11-15; Colossians 1:5) and that it’s the gospel alone that carries the “power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). In our efforts to evangelize, we were taught of the need to make disciples of Jesus Christ with the goal that we teach them what they need to know to become like the Master (Luke 6:40). As we proclaim God’s message to others, brother Guifarro spoke of the need to be “always ready to make a defense” (I Peter 3:15) to those who challenge our faith and hope just as Paul was appointed for a defense of the gospel (Philippians 1:7, 16). We were reminded of the need to respond appropriately to those who will not listen or pay attention to the gospel (Isaiah 30:9; Jeremiah 6:10; Acts 7:54-57; II Timothy 4:3) and that our job is simply to plant the seed (Luke 8:12-15; I Corinthians 3:6). When persecution arises, we shouldn’t be surprised (I Peter 4:12) or unsettled (I Thessalonians 3:3) but rather glorify God and rejoice (I Peter 4:13-14; Matthew 5:10-12). Finally, brother Guifarro spoke of the need to evangelize to the world through our example and behavior (Philippians 1:27; 3:17; Hebrews 6:11-12).

We are all to be reminded that whether present or absent, that we are all accountable before God for the things that Brother Guifarro presented to us from God’s word. Let us take heed.

Go to the Home page Weekly bulletin article archives